In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket does not impose direct trading fees on the majority of transactions, but costs emerge through the bid-ask spread (usually 1-3 cents). Funding via MoonPay carries a 3.5-5% charge, whereas cryptocurrency deposits require only network gas fees (~$0.01 on Polygon). Withdrawals incur no fee.
Grasping the nuances of Polymarket fees is vital when assessing your net trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting platforms that incorporate a 5-15% margin into every wager, Polymarket's cost structure offers greater clarity — though it is not costless. Below is a complete overview of all expenses you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book, a system where buyers and sellers submit bids and asks that are matched automatically). Your fee obligations shift based on your role as either a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that supply liquidity to the market): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that consume available liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee through spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards via Polymarket's liquidity incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price at any given moment. In highly traded markets (presidential contests, major digital asset movements), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In less active markets (specialist research questions, uncommon geopolitical scenarios), spreads can expand to 5-10 cents.
| Market type | Typical spread | Effective cost |
| US elections | 1-2 cents | 1-2% |
| Major crypto | 2-3 cents | 2-3% |
| Sports events | 3-5 cents | 3-5% |
| Niche markets | 5-10+ cents | 5-10%+ |
Deposit costs
The expense of adding funds to your account fluctuates based on your chosen funding route:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — fast but pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): network fee only, generally below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH network costs, plus 10-30 minute processing time
Withdrawal costs
Sending USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet carries no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you wish to exchange back to traditional currency, your bank or exchange will levy a withdrawal charge (normally $1-5 as a flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the same Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent. The advantage PolyGram delivers is in account setup — efficient onboarding that avoids the steep MoonPay expenses. Review your transaction history to view precise costs on each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →