In plain English
What Maker fee means
On many exchanges, maker fees apply to limit orders that do not cross the spread and therefore sit in the book until another trader matches them. Exchanges often charge makers less than takers because resting orders help create market depth and tighter spreads. The exact rate depends on the venue, product, and fee tier.
Why it matters
Maker fees are part of the total execution cost. Traders who expect to provide liquidity, rather than take it immediately, need to know how the venue classifies each order and whether partial fills split into maker and taker portions.
Example
If a limit buy order is posted below the current ask and later filled, the filled portion is usually charged the maker fee. This simplified example assumes the order never crosses the spread on arrival.
Quick answers
Common questions
Are maker fees always lower than taker fees?+
Often, but not always. Some venues charge the same rate, and some may offer rebates or zero-fee promotions for certain products.
Can one order be partly maker and partly taker?+
Yes. If part of the order executes immediately and the rest rests on the book, the exchange may apply different fee treatment to each portion.
Sources