In this guide
Key takeaway: Polymarket charges no explicit trading fee on most trades, but you pay through the bid-ask spread (typically 1-3 cents). Deposits via MoonPay cost 3.5-5%, while crypto deposits cost only gas fees (~$0.01 on Polygon). Withdrawals are free.
Grasping the true cost of Polymarket fees matters when you want to know your net returns on trades. In contrast to conventional betting platforms that quietly absorb a 5-15% margin into every wager, Polymarket operates with greater cost visibility — though costs do exist. Below is a thorough breakdown of every charge you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligations shift based on your role as either a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that supply liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that consume liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards through Polymarket's liquidity provider incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The actual expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the difference separating the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In high-volume markets (presidential contests, major blockchain events), spreads stay narrow: 1-2 cents. In low-volume 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 amount you spend to add funds to your account varies based on your chosen funding route:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, usually below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute processing time
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your own wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you wish to exchange back to traditional currency, your bank or exchange will levy a withdrawal fee (commonly $1-5 as a flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. PolyGram's advantage lies in account setup — simplified funding without the expensive MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history for a precise breakdown of costs on each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →