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 is vital when assessing your net returns from prediction market activity. Compared to conventional betting operators who conceal a 5-15% margin within every wager, Polymarket presents a comparatively transparent fee framework — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all charges you will incur.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book mechanism (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligation shifts based on your role as either a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that contribute liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that consume liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards via 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 between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price available. On heavily traded markets (presidential contests, significant digital asset movements), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. On thinly traded markets (specialised scientific predictions, lesser-known 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 establish your account balance varies according to your chosen funding route:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet costly
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, ordinarily under $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute wait
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when conducted on the Polygon network. Should you elect to reconvert to traditional currency, you will incur your payment processor's withdrawal charge (ordinarily $1-5 fixed rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram accesses the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent. Where PolyGram delivers cost savings is during account setup — simplified onboarding that avoids the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history to observe precise costs associated with each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →