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 full cost structure of Polymarket fees remains critical for assessing net returns on your positions. In contrast to conventional betting operators who conceal a 5-15% margin within every wager, Polymarket's pricing model offers greater clarity — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all charges 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 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 principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential separating the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In high-volume markets (presidential contests, major blockchain events), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In low-volume markets (specialised scientific predictions, lesser-known geopolitical forecasts), spreads may 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
The amount you incur to establish account funding varies according to your chosen funding route:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — accessible yet costly
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, ordinarily below $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute settlement period
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon chain. Should you elect to reconvert to conventional currency, your custodian's exit fee applies (usually $1-5 flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. Where PolyGram delivers value is during account setup — optimised onboarding without the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history to view itemised costs for each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →