Polymarket fees explained
Updated · 6 min read
Polymarket charges no fee to deposit or withdraw USDC. Trading fees are paid only by takers (people who match an existing order), on most categories: the sports rate is 0.05 and the fee is largest near a 50¢ price. Makers (people who post orders that wait to be filled) pay nothing. Geopolitics markets are fee-free. The bid-ask spread is a separate cost.
The trading fee formula
Polymarket's documentation gives the taker fee as: fee = shares × fee rate × price × (1 − price). Because of the price × (1 − price) part, the fee is biggest at 50¢ and shrinks as the price moves towards 0¢ or 100¢. The dollar fee is the same at 30¢ as at 70¢.
Taker fee rates by category
| Category | Taker fee rate | Maker fee |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | 0.07 | 0 |
| Sports | 0.05 | 0 |
| Economics, Culture, Weather, Other | 0.05 | 0 |
| Finance, Politics, Tech, Mentions | 0.04 | 0 |
| Geopolitics | 0 (fee-free) | 0 |
Rates change from time to time, so treat this table as a snapshot and check the official fees page before you trade.
Worked examples (sports, 100 shares)
| Share price | Amount spent | Fee (0.05 × price × (1 − price) × 100) | Fee as % of amount spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20¢ | $20 | $0.80 | 4.0% |
| 50¢ | $50 | $1.25 | 2.5% |
| 80¢ | $80 | $0.80 | 1.0% |
For comparison, 100 crypto shares at 50¢ would cost 100 × 0.07 × 0.5 × 0.5 = $1.75 in fees. The fee is smaller, as a share of what you spend, on likely outcomes (high prices) and larger on long shots.
Makers vs. takers
A taker buys or sells at a price that is already available, so the order fills immediately. A maker posts a limit order at a price they choose and waits for someone to match it. Polymarket states that makers are never charged fees, and part of the taker fees funds a maker rebate program.
If you are not in a hurry, a limit order can save the taker fee, but it may not fill.
The spread: a cost that is not a fee
Besides fees you also cross the spread, the gap between the best buy price (bid) and the best sell price (ask). If the bid is 34¢ and the ask is 40¢, buying and selling straight away loses you part of that 6¢ gap. Busy markets have tight spreads; quiet ones can be wide. See how to read Polymarket odds.
Deposits and withdrawals
- Polymarket does not charge fees to deposit or withdraw USDC.
- Third parties can: a service you use to buy crypto, a bridge or a network may charge their own fees. Withdrawals to other chains can involve bridge or swap costs, which Polymarket shows in a quote before you confirm.
- Ignore old articles about fixed withdrawal fees and Ethereum gas costs: they describe an earlier version of the platform.
Fees on third-party apps
Some apps route trades into Polymarket and may add their own builder fee on top of Polymarket's. Polymarket says these are always additive. When you trade directly on Polymarket, only Polymarket's fees apply. Polycord does not place trades for you: it links you to Polymarket.
Frequently asked questions
Does Polymarket charge a fee on every trade?
Takers pay a fee on most categories; makers pay none, and geopolitics markets are fee-free. The fee depends on the category and on the share price.
What is the Polymarket fee on sports?
The sports taker fee rate is 0.05, so the fee is shares × 0.05 × price × (1 − price). On 100 shares at 50¢ that is $1.25.
Is it free to withdraw from Polymarket?
Polymarket does not charge a withdrawal fee. Withdrawing to a different network can involve bridge or swap costs, shown in a quote before you confirm.
How can I avoid the taker fee?
By acting as a maker: post a limit order and wait for it to be matched. It may take longer, or not fill.
Is the spread included in the fee?
No. The spread is a separate cost that comes from the gap between buyers and sellers.