Differences Between Maker Orders and Taker Orders
6 months ago · Updated on

One of the most common inquiries from traders is, “What are maker orders and taker orders?” Traders may notice that the taker fee is always higher than the maker fee. The chart below shows the difference between the two.

  Maker Orders  Taker Orders
Definition Orders that enter the order book and fill up the liquidity inside the order book before execution. Orders that execute immediately by taking liquidity out from the order book.
Trading Fee 0.02% 0.06%
Order Placement Types Limit Orders only Can be either Market or Limit Orders

How does this affect trading? Let’s look at the illustration below. 

Using a BTCUSDT Perpetual Contract as an example:

Trading Pair BTCUSDT
Contract Size 2 BTC
Trading Direction Buy Long
Entry Price 60,000
Exit Price 61,000

Trader A: Opening and closing position via two-way maker orders

Fee to open 2 × 60,000 × 0.02% = 24 USDT
Fee to close 2 × 61,000 × 0.02% = 24.4 USDT
Position P&L (excluding fees) 2 × (61,000 − 60,000) = 2,000 USDT
Closed P&L 2000 − 24 − 24.4 = 1,951.60 USDT

Trader B: Opening and closing position via two-way taker orders

Fee to open 2 × 60,000 × 0.06% = 72 USDT
Fee to close 2 × 61,000 × 0.06% = 73.2 USDT
Position P&L (excluding fees) 2 × (61,000 − 60,000) = 2,000 USDT
Closed P&L 2000 − 72 − 73.2 = 1,854.80 USDT

From the above illustration, we can see that Trader A pays a lower trading fee compared to Trader B.
In order to place a maker order, traders need to do the following:

  • Use a Limit Order inside the order placement zone
  • Select Post-Only
  • Set your Limit Order price at a better price point compared to current market prices

Better price for Buy Long orders = Lower than best ask pricesBetter price for Sell Short orders = Higher than best bid prices
If your Limit Orders are executed immediately, they will be considered as taker orders. Click here to find out more about why Limit Orders may unintentionally be executed immediately.

Notes:

Closed P&L records your position's final profit and loss amounts after fees.— Zoomex adopts the same maker and taker fee structure for all trading pairs on the platform.