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 matters when you want to know your actual returns. Rather than the opaque 5-15% margins baked into conventional betting platforms, Polymarket operates with a more open fee model — though it is not costless. Below is a comprehensive overview of every charge you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee structure hinges on your role as either maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders supplying liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders consuming liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee through spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards via Polymarket's maker incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the difference separating the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In heavily traded markets (presidential contests, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In thinly traded markets (specialised scientific forecasts, obscure geopolitical bets), spreads can 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 expense of adding funds to your account fluctuates based on your chosen funding route:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — simple yet 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 window
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you wish to exchange back into traditional currency, your chosen exchange will levy its own withdrawal charge (commonly $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads align perfectly. PolyGram's advantage lies in onboarding efficiency — streamlined account setup that avoids the steep MoonPay fees. Review your transaction history for precise fee breakdowns on each position. Start trading on PolyGram →