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 structure of Polymarket fees is vital when evaluating your net returns from prediction trading. In contrast to conventional betting operators who embed a 5-15% margin into every wager, Polymarket operates with greater price transparency — though costs are not absent. Below is a comprehensive overview of all charges you will incur.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). The fee schedule varies based on your role as either 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: Participating 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 between the highest purchase price and lowest sale price available. In high-volume markets (presidential elections, significant cryptocurrency movements), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In lower-volume markets (specialised scientific predictions, lesser-known 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 crediting your account fluctuates based on which funding method you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — straightforward but costly
- 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 from Polymarket back to your personal wallet incurs no charge when transacting on the Polygon network. Should you wish to exchange back into traditional currency, your chosen exchange will levy its own withdrawal charge (ordinarily $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent across both platforms. Where PolyGram delivers value is during account setup — efficient onboarding that circumvents the expensive MoonPay charges. Review your transaction history to observe precise costs associated with each individual trade. Start trading on PolyGram →