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 crucial when assessing your net returns from prediction trading. In contrast to conventional betting platforms that bake a 5-15% vigorish into quoted odds, Polymarket operates with greater cost visibility — though not without expense. Below is a comprehensive overview of every charge you may incur.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book architecture (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligation shifts 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 incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential between highest bid and lowest ask. On high-volume markets (presidential races, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. On lower-volume markets (specialist academic questions, marginal political 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 expense of adding funds to your account fluctuates based on which funding avenue you select:
- 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 window
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when utilising the Polygon network. Should you wish to liquidate back into traditional currency, your chosen exchange will levy its own withdrawal fee (generally $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the same Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent. Where PolyGram delivers value is during account setup — streamlined funding mechanisms that bypass expensive MoonPay charges. Review your transaction history to track precise costs across all your trades. Start trading on PolyGram →