BullMaker vs taker
A taker order fills right away against orders already in the book, like a market order. A maker order adds liquidity by waiting in the book, like a limit order that does not fill instantly. Maker fees are lower, so patient entries are cheaper.
Fees are charged on position size
Futures fees are a percentage of the full position, not your margin. A 10,000 USDT position opened with 100 USDT margin pays the same fee as one opened with 1,000 USDT margin. That is why fees take a much bigger part of the ROE at high leverage.
Formula
Example
A 10,000 USDT position with 0.05% taker fee on both sides pays 5 USDT to open and 5 USDT to close, 10 USDT in total. The price has to move 0.1% in your favour just to break even. Using a limit order for the entry (0.02% maker) cuts the total to 7 USDT.
Ways to pay less
- Use limit orders when you are not in a hurry.
- Many exchanges offer a discount if you pay fees with their own token.
- Trade less often. Fewer trades means fewer fees.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the break-even move in percent?
Fees are a percent of position size, so the price must move by the total fee percent to cover them, no matter the size.
Are funding fees included?
No. Funding is separate. Use the funding fee calculator for it.
Are these the current exchange fees?
They are common base rates used as defaults. Fees change and depend on your account level, so enter your own rates.
Results are estimates for education only and are not financial advice. Always check the numbers on your exchange before you trade.
Maker vs Taker Fees: How to Pay Less on Every Trade
The difference between maker and taker fees, how much they really cost active traders, and simple ways to reduce trading fees in crypto.