Maker Fee
A maker fee is the trading fee charged when your order adds liquidity to an order book, typically a limit order that rests in the book instead of filling right away. It is usually lower than the taker fee.
What makes an order a maker order
An order book only works if someone has placed offers to trade. A limit order that does not match an existing order immediately becomes one of those offers. It makes the market, so its creator is called the maker. When another trader later fills against it, the maker pays the maker fee.
A limit order priced so that it fills at once, for example a buy limit above the best ask, takes liquidity instead and is charged the taker fee. Many exchanges offer a post-only option, which cancels the order rather than letting it execute as a taker.
Why maker fees are lower
Exchanges want deep order books, because tight spreads and plenty of volume attract more traders. Charging makers less rewards those who provide that liquidity. Some exchanges set maker fees to zero for certain markets or even pay a small rebate to high-volume makers. Fee levels usually depend on your trading volume tier.
An example
Say an exchange charges 0.10 percent for makers and 0.20 percent for takers. You place a sell limit order for 1,000 USDC worth of a coin above the current price, and it fills later. You pay 1 USDC as a maker. Had you sold at market, the fee would have been 2 USDC. The percentages here are hypothetical; check your platform's fee schedule.
Things to keep in mind
Saving on fees is not the only consideration. A resting limit order may never fill, so chasing the maker fee can mean missing a trade. Maker and taker fees apply on order-book exchanges; on automated market maker DEXs you pay a pool fee plus network gas instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Is every limit order a maker order?
No. Only a limit order that rests in the book before filling counts as a maker. If it matches existing orders immediately, that part is charged as taker.
What is a maker rebate?
Some exchanges pay makers a small negative fee, a rebate, to encourage liquidity, usually only for high trading volumes or specific markets.
Can one order pay both maker and taker fees?
Yes. If part of a limit order fills immediately and the rest rests in the book, the first part is a taker fill and the later fills are maker fills.
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