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 trading on Polymarket is vital for assessing your net returns. Rather than the 5-15% implicit margin found in conventional betting platforms, Polymarket operates with a more open 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 architecture (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your fee obligations shift based 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 via spread
- Reward tokens: Prolific makers can accumulate MATIC rewards via Polymarket's liquidity incentive scheme
The hidden cost: bid-ask spread
The principal expense when trading on Polymarket stems from the spread — the differential separating the highest purchase price and lowest sale price. In high-volume markets (presidential contests, major blockchain developments), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. In low-volume markets (specialist research questions, uncommon geopolitical scenarios), 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 amount you incur when adding funds to your account fluctuates based on your chosen funding pathway:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — quick but pricey
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, rarely exceeding $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute settlement period
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when conducted on Polygon. Should you wish to transform your holdings into conventional currency, you will incur your exchange's exit fee (normally $1-5 per transaction).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram taps into the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain consistent. PolyGram's advantage emerges during account setup — simplified funding pathways that bypass the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history to observe precise costs attached to each position. Start trading on PolyGram →