Who This Is For
This guide is for anyone trading perpetual futures on crypto exchanges who wants to reduce fees by understanding how maker fees work.
What You’ll Need
- A funded account on a crypto exchange that offers perpetual futures (e.g., Binance, Bybit, dYdX)
- Basic knowledge of limit and market orders
- Access to the exchange’s fee schedule (usually in the “Fees” or “Trading Rules” section)
- Patience to practice placing limit orders that don’t get filled instantly
Key Takeaways
- Maker fees are typically 0.02% or lower, while taker fees can be 0.04%–0.06% — saving you 50% or more per trade.
- You earn maker status by placing limit orders that add liquidity to the order book, not by using market orders.
- Understanding maker fees is essential for scalpers and high-frequency traders who execute dozens of trades daily.
Step 1: Know the Difference Between Maker and Taker
Every trade in a perpetual futures market has two sides: a maker and a taker. The maker places a limit order that sits on the order book, waiting for someone to match it. The taker uses a market order (or a limit order that gets filled immediately) and removes liquidity from the book.
Exchanges charge lower fees to makers because they add liquidity to the market — they make it easier for others to trade. Takers pay higher fees because they consume that liquidity. On most major exchanges, maker fees range from -0.01% (rebates) to 0.02%, while taker fees run from 0.04% to 0.06%.
So if you’re trading a $10,000 position, a 0.02% maker fee costs $2. A 0.05% taker fee costs $5. That $3 difference per trade adds up fast if you trade daily.
Step 2: Check Your Exchange’s Fee Schedule
Not all exchanges treat maker/taker the same way. Some offer tiered discounts based on your 30-day trading volume. Others have a flat fee for all users. A few even offer negative maker fees — meaning you get paid to place limit orders.
Head to your exchange’s “Fees” page and look for the perpetual futures section. You’ll see two columns: “Maker” and “Taker.” Write down the percentages for your current tier. If you’re a VIP or high-volume trader, your fees might be much lower.
For example, Binance charges 0.02% maker and 0.04% taker for regular users. Bybit charges 0.01% maker and 0.06% taker. dYdX offers 0.05% maker and 0.05% taker for low-volume traders. Investopedia explains maker-taker fees in detail if you want more background.
Step 3: Place Limit Orders, Not Market Orders
This is the core of earning maker fees. When you place a limit order at a price that’s not immediately matched, your order sits on the order book. You become a maker. When someone else’s market order hits your limit order, you pay the maker fee (or earn a rebate).
But here’s the catch: if your limit order gets filled instantly — say you set a buy limit at $30,500 and the current market price is $30,505 — you’re actually a taker. The order was aggressive enough to match existing liquidity. To guarantee maker status, place your limit order away from the current price: a few ticks below the ask for buys, or a few ticks above the bid for sells.
Step 4: Use Post-Only Orders
Most exchanges offer a “post-only” order option. This is a safety net that ensures your limit order is never filled immediately. If your order would be matched right away, the exchange cancels it instead of executing it as a taker trade.
Enable post-only in the order entry window. On Binance, it’s a toggle labeled “Post Only.” On Bybit, it’s under “Order Type” > “Limit” > “Post Only.” On dYdX, it’s a checkbox. Using post-only guarantees you’ll always pay the maker fee — even if the market moves and your order gets filled a second later.
This is especially useful during volatile moments. Without post-only, a sudden price spike can turn your limit order into a taker order without you noticing.
Step 5: Calculate Your Savings Over Time
Let’s run the numbers. Say you trade 10 contracts of Bitcoin perpetual futures per day, with each contract worth $100. Your average position size is $1,000, and you open and close 5 positions daily. That’s 10 trades per day (5 entries + 5 exits).
- As a taker at 0.05%: 10 trades × $1,000 × 0.05% = $5 per day = $1,825 per year.
- As a maker at 0.02%: 10 trades × $1,000 × 0.02% = $2 per day = $730 per year.
That’s a $1,095 annual difference — just from switching order types. And if your exchange offers negative maker fees (-0.01%), you’d earn $365 per year instead of paying.
For high-frequency traders doing 50+ trades daily, the savings can easily hit five figures annually. CoinDesk’s guide to perpetual futures covers more advanced fee strategies.
Step 6: Monitor Your Fee Reports
Most exchanges provide a “Trade History” or “Fee Report” section where you can see exactly how much you paid in maker vs. taker fees. Check this weekly to confirm you’re actually getting maker status on your limit orders.
If you see taker fees on orders you thought were maker, review your order placement. Were you using post-only? Was your limit price too close to the market? Adjust and test again. Some traders keep a spreadsheet tracking their maker/taker ratio, aiming for 80%+ maker fills.
Common Pitfalls and Risks
⚠️ Risk: Placing limit orders too close to the market price. Even a 0.1% difference can result in immediate fill. Fix: Always use post-only orders, or place your limit at least 2-3 ticks away from the current price.
⚠️ Risk: Forgetting to check your fee tier. Exchanges update your tier monthly based on 30-day volume. A drop in volume can increase your fees. Fix: Check your fee schedule every month and adjust your trading size accordingly.
⚠️ Risk: Confusing maker fees with rebates. Some exchanges offer maker rebates only on specific pairs or during promotions. Not every maker order earns you money. Fix: Read the fine print in the exchange’s fee policy.
Remember, this is for educational purposes only. Maker fee savings don’t guarantee profit — they just reduce costs. Always manage your risk with stop-losses and position sizing.
What Next?
Once you’ve mastered maker fees, explore how funding rates impact your perpetual futures profitability — they can eat into your edge just as fast as fees can.
Sources & References
Crypto Derivatives Trading In Europe Legal – Complete Guide 2026
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