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 for assessing your net returns on trades. Unlike conventional betting operators who bake a 5-15% margin directly into odds, Polymarket operates with greater transparency around its cost model — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of every expense you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates via an order book system (known as the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligation shifts based on your role as either a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders supplying liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders consuming 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 true expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential separating the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. On heavily traded markets (presidential contests, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. On thin markets (specialist research questions, unusual 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
Your account funding expenses fluctuate based on which deposit route you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly 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 settlement
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your own wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you desire to reconvert to traditional currency, your bank or exchange will impose a withdrawal charge (normally $1-5 flat rate).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. Where PolyGram delivers value is during account setup — optimised onboarding that avoids the steep MoonPay expenses. Review your transaction history to observe precise costs attached to each transaction. Start trading on PolyGram →