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 vital when assessing your net trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting operators that bake a 5-15% margin into every wager, Polymarket's pricing model offers greater transparency — though it is not cost-free. Below is a complete overview of every charge you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book framework (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee structure hinges on whether you function as 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 incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The genuine expense of transacting on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In highly traded markets (presidential contests, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In thinly traded markets (specialised scientific queries, 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 add funds to your account fluctuates based on your chosen funding approach:
- 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 personal wallet incurs no charge on the Polygon network. Should you wish to liquidate back to conventional currency, you will incur your exchange's withdrawal charge (normally $1-5 as a flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. Where PolyGram delivers cost savings is during signup — efficient onboarding procedures that sidestep the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history to observe precise costs on each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →