Polymarket Fees: Complete Breakdown for 2026
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 cost structure of Polymarket fees is crucial for assessing your actual trading returns. In contrast to conventional betting platforms that embed a 5-15% margin into each wager, Polymarket's pricing framework offers greater clarity — though it is not cost-free. Below is a comprehensive overview of all expenses you will face.
Trading fees
Polymarket operates using an order book architecture (the CLOB — Central Limit Order Book). Your cost structure shifts based on whether you function as a maker or taker:
- Maker orders (limit orders that add liquidity): 0% fee
- Taker orders (market orders that remove liquidity): ~1-2% effective fee via spread
- Reward tokens: Active makers can earn MATIC rewards through Polymarket's market-making incentive programme
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. On well-traded markets (presidential races, significant digital asset movements), spreads remain narrow: 1-2 cents. On less-traded markets (specialized research questions, 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 adding funds to your account fluctuates based on which funding approach you select:
- MoonPay (credit card): 3.5-5% — user-friendly yet costly
- Crypto transfer (Polygon USDC): gas fee only, typically under $0.01
- Bridge from Ethereum: $2-15 in ETH gas, plus 10-30 minute wait
Withdrawal costs
Moving USDC out of Polymarket to your personal wallet incurs no charge when using the Polygon network. Should you wish to exchange it back to conventional currency, you will incur your platform's withdrawal charge (generally $1-5 fixed amount).
How PolyGram compares
PolyGram interfaces with the identical Polymarket order book, meaning trading spreads remain the same. PolyGram's advantage lies in account setup — simplified funding without the steep MoonPay surcharge. Review your transaction history to view precise costs for all your transactions. Start trading on PolyGram →