Maker vs. Taker Fees

How to calculate maker and taker fees

For a percentage-based fee, fee = filled trade value × fee percentage ÷ 100. Use the value actually filled, not the value of an unfilled order. Exchanges may round fees or collect them in a different asset.

Assume a hypothetical spot exchange charges 0.10% for makers and 0.20% for takers. These are example rates, not a current exchange quote.

• A $1,000 maker fill costs $1,000 × 0.10 ÷ 100 = $1.00.
• A $1,000 taker fill costs $1,000 × 0.20 ÷ 100 = $2.00.
• If $400 fills immediately as taker and the remaining $600 rests and later fills as maker, the total is $0.80 + $0.60 = $1.40.

An unfilled remainder has no executed trade value in this calculation. The exchange's rules determine any other order charges. Coinbase Advanced's explanation explicitly distinguishes the immediate and resting portions of a partially matched order.

Why did my limit order pay a taker fee?

A limit order controls the worst price you accept. It does not promise to wait on the book. If its price matches an existing opposing order, that portion takes liquidity. A market order normally takes liquidity too.

Post-only is an additional instruction intended to prevent an immediate taker fill. For example, Kraken's post-only rule cancels an order that would match immediately. Other venues can have different rules; check how the selected order option works. A posted order can remain unfilled while the market moves away.

Are maker fees always cheaper?

Many schedules charge a lower maker rate, and some offer a rebate, but the label alone does not establish the price. Check the venue, product, trading pair, account tier, and any applicable discount. A simple buy/sell screen may use different pricing from the same exchange's order book.

The trading fee is also only part of execution cost. The bid-ask spread, slippage, partial fills, and price changes while waiting can outweigh a fee difference. A lower maker fee does not guarantee a better total outcome.

Trading fees versus network fees

Maker/taker fees are charges for executing trades on a venue. A withdrawal charge and an on-chain transaction fee are separate. Before comparing two quotes, identify which costs each quote includes and check the current fee preview for that product.