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 is crucial for assessing your net trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting operators who bake a 5-15% margin into every wager, Polymarket's cost model offers greater clarity — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of every charge you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee structure hinges on whether you function as a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that provide liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that consume liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Engaged makers can accumulate MATIC rewards through Polymarket's liquidity provider incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The actual expense of transacting on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price available. In high-volume markets (presidential contests, significant blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In low-volume markets (specialised research questions, uncommon political scenarios), spreads can widen substantially 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 expenses fluctuate based on which deposit channel you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, generally below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute processing window
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when transacting on the Polygon network. Should you wish to reconvert to traditional currency, your chosen exchange will levy its own withdrawal charge (ordinarily $1-5 flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads mirror one another precisely. Where PolyGram delivers value is in the account setup — simplified onboarding that bypasses the expensive MoonPay surcharges. Review your transaction history to observe precise charges applied to each individual transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →