> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strixlab.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strixlab.io/trading/fees.md).

# Fees

Strix Lab keeps fees low and transparent. The core rules are simple:

* **Makers pay nothing.** If your order rests in the book and fills because another trader comes to your price, your fee is **$0**.
* **Takers pay a small fee.** Only the order that crosses the spread for instant execution pays a fee.
* **The fee depends on the market's category** — and some categories (like Geopolitics) are completely free.

{% hint style="info" %}
Not sure whether you're a maker or a taker? See [How a trade matches](https://docs.strixlab.io/trading/order-book#how-a-trade-matches).
{% endhint %}

### How the fee is calculated

In plain terms: the taker fee is a small fraction of your trade, **largest when the market is most uncertain** (prices near 50¢) and **shrinking to almost nothing near the edges** (1¢ or 99¢). A trade at 30¢ costs the same as one at 70¢.

The exact formula, in USDC:

```
fee = shares × feeRate × price × (1 − price)
```

where `feeRate` is the category coefficient from the table below (not a simple percentage of your trade — see the worked example for what it means in real terms). The `price × (1 − price)` term is what creates the shape: it peaks at 50¢ and approaches zero at the extremes.

{% hint style="info" %}
If the computed fee comes out below **0.00001 USDC**, no fee is charged at all. Fees are deducted automatically when your trade confirms on-chain — there's no separate charge or invoice.
{% endhint %}

### Fee rates by category

<table><thead><tr><th width="312.890625">Category</th><th>Taker fee rate (coefficient)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Sports</td><td>0.015</td></tr><tr><td>Finance</td><td>0.020</td></tr><tr><td>Politics</td><td>0.020</td></tr><tr><td>Economics</td><td>0.020</td></tr><tr><td>Culture</td><td>0.020</td></tr><tr><td>Weather</td><td>0.020</td></tr><tr><td>Tech</td><td>0.020</td></tr><tr><td>Crypto</td><td>0.040</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Geopolitics</strong></td><td><strong>0.000 (free)</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Other / Default</td><td>0.020</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Worked example — 100 shares at 50¢

At 50¢, the `price × (1 − price)` term equals `0.25`, so `fee = 100 × rate × 0.25`. You're spending **$50** on this trade (100 shares × 50¢):

| Category                  | Fee on this trade | As % of the $50 spent |
| ------------------------- | ----------------- | --------------------- |
| Sports                    | $0.375            | 0.75%                 |
| Finance / Politics / most | $0.50             | 1.0%                  |
| Crypto                    | $1.00             | 2.0%                  |
| Geopolitics               | $0.00             | 0%                    |

{% hint style="info" %}
Remember this is the **worst case** — 50¢ is where the fee peaks. The same 100-share trade at 80¢ (an $80 spend) carries a `price × (1 − price)` term of just 0.16, so the Sports fee drops to $0.24 — about 0.3% of the trade.
{% endhint %}

### How fees show up in the app

* **Market orders** always execute as taker, so the fee is certain — it's already deducted from the figures shown in the trade panel ("To win" / "To receive") and listed as a line item.
* **Limit orders** show an *estimated* fee for the case where your order executes as a taker. If your order rests and fills as a maker instead, no fee applies — your actual return is higher than the estimate shown.
* **Geopolitics markets** show no fee lines at all.

{% hint style="success" %}
Want to avoid fees entirely? Trade with **limit orders that rest in the book**. As a maker you never pay a fee — and you may earn [liquidity rewards](https://docs.strixlab.io/rewards/liquidity-rewards) on top. The tradeoff is patience: see [Order Types](https://docs.strixlab.io/trading/order-types#which-should-i-use) for when each approach makes sense.
{% endhint %}


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