A taker order removes liquidity from the market. When you place a market order to buy, it fills instantly against the sell orders already sitting on the order book. You get immediate execution, but you pay the higher taker fee because you consumed the depth that someone else provided.
Market orders are simple and certain, which is why most casual traders use them. The trade-off is cost: on a standard account the taker fee is typically 0.10% to 0.40%, and in a thin market a large market order can also suffer slippage as it eats through several price levels.
Taker orders are the right tool when speed matters more than saving a few basis points — for example, closing a position quickly during a sharp move.
A maker order adds liquidity to the market. When you place a limit order away from the current price, it rests on the order book waiting for someone else to trade against it. Because you provided depth, you are charged the lower maker fee.
The maker fee is often significantly lower than the taker fee — sometimes 0.00% on high-volume tiers. The trade-off is that your order does not fill until the price reaches your limit, and in a fast-moving market it may never fill at all.
| Taker (market order) | Maker (limit order) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical fee | 0.10%–0.40% | 0.00%–0.20% |
| Execution | Instant, guaranteed | Only when price is reached |
| Slippage risk | Possible on large orders | None — you set the price |
| Adds or removes liquidity | Removes | Adds |
| Best for | Speed, quick exits | Cost control, patient entries |
Look for these signals before you confirm an order:
You can check any exchange's maker fee, taker fee, and volume tiers with our free exchange check tool.
A maker order is a limit order that rests on the order book instead of filling immediately, adding liquidity. Because it adds depth, it pays the lower maker fee — sometimes as low as 0.00% on high-volume tiers.
A taker order fills immediately against orders already on the book — usually a market order. It removes liquidity, so it pays the higher taker fee. Most beginners use market orders and pay the taker fee by default.
The maker fee is lower, but a maker order does not fill until the price reaches your limit and may never fill in a fast market. A taker order costs more but fills instantly. The best choice depends on whether you value a lower fee or certain execution.
Place a limit order that does not cross the current best price, or enable post-only mode so the order is always treated as a maker. Check fee tiers with our free exchange check tool.
Last updated 2026-09-16. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.