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 Polymarket fee structure is vital when evaluating your net returns from prediction trading. In contrast to conventional betting platforms that bake a 5-15% margin directly into odds, Polymarket operates with greater cost visibility — though it is not entirely cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of every expense you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligation hinges on your role as either maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders supplying liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders consuming 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
Your actual trading cost on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential separating the highest buy quote from the lowest sell quote. In well-traded markets (presidential races, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In thin markets (specialised research questions, fringe geopolitical scenarios), spreads can widen 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
Your funding expense varies based on which deposit pathway you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, usually under $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute settlement
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your own wallet carries no fee when staying on Polygon. Should you wish to exit into traditional currency, your chosen exchange will levy a withdrawal charge (ordinarily $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same across both platforms. PolyGram's advantage lies in onboarding efficiency — smoother account setup that sidesteps the steep MoonPay costs. Review your transaction history for granular fee breakdowns on each position. Start trading on PolyGram →