How to choose between Maker and Taker? An in-depth analysis of the fee differences between the two types of orders

When entering the cryptocurrency trading market, the concepts of Maker and Taker frequently appear. Many novice traders are confused about their differences but don’t realize that this choice directly impacts transaction fees and overall profits. What exactly distinguishes Maker and Taker orders, and how should you choose based on your trading goals?

Taker Orders: The Price of Fast Execution

When you urgently buy or sell at the current market price, you’re executing a Taker order. This type of order corresponds to a “market order,” which can immediately match with existing orders in the order book, hence called “liquidity taker.”

The convenience of quick execution comes at a cost—higher fees. Typically, Taker orders incur fees around 0.055% (though this may vary across platforms), which is a “penalty” imposed by exchanges to encourage Makers to provide liquidity.

For traders who need to enter or exit positions quickly, Taker orders are essential. For example, during sudden market volatility, immediate execution is more important than saving on fees.

Maker Orders: Patience for Lower Fees

In contrast, Maker orders require traders to set limit orders at a price below the current best ask (for buying) or above the best bid (for selling), then patiently wait for other traders to match with your order.

In this process, you’re actually providing liquidity—your order deepens the market and narrows the bid-ask spread. To reward this behavior, exchanges offer significantly lower fees for Maker orders, often around 0.02%.

Advantages of Maker orders include:

• Lowest fee costs
• Suitable for medium- to long-term strategies with patience
• More economical for market makers

Real-World Example: Same Trade, Why Profits Differ by 125 USDT

Let’s look at concrete data to see how Maker and Taker orders impact actual profits. Assume trading BTCUSDT perpetual contracts:

Trade Settings:

• Contract amount: 2 BTC
• Buy price: 60,000 USDT
• Sell price: 61,000 USDT
• Profit/loss before fees: 2,000 USDT

Scenario A: Using Only Maker Orders

• Opening fee: 2 × 60,000 × 0.02% = 24 USDT
• Closing fee: 2 × 61,000 × 0.02% = 24.4 USDT
• Total fees: 48.4 USDT
• Final net profit: 2,000 − 48.4 = 1,951.6 USDT

Scenario B: Using Only Taker Orders

• Opening fee: 2 × 60,000 × 0.055% = 66 USDT
• Closing fee: 2 × 61,000 × 0.055% = 67.1 USDT
• Total fees: 133.1 USDT
• Final net profit: 2,000 − 133.1 = 1,866.9 USDT

Analysis: The same trade, just by choosing different order types, results in a profit difference of 84.7 USDT. If trading volume or frequency increases, this difference can grow significantly.

How to Efficiently Place Maker Orders

To enjoy the benefits of Maker’s low fees, you need to master proper operation:

1. Choose Limit Orders—select “limit order” instead of market order when placing trades.
2. Set Reasonable Prices—buy below the current best ask, sell above the current best bid to ensure your order enters the order book.
3. Avoid Immediate Fill—if your limit order is filled immediately, it becomes a Taker order and won’t benefit from low fees.
4. Monitor Market Trends—after placing a Maker order, keep an eye on market movements and adjust or cancel orders as needed.

Maker or Taker: Which Is Right for You?

There’s no absolute advantage between Maker and Taker; the best choice depends on your trading strategy:

• Choose Maker: if you have clear price targets, are willing to wait, and want to maximize profits while minimizing trading costs.
• Choose Taker: if you need to enter or exit positions immediately, respond quickly to market opportunities, or engage in high-frequency trading.

When developing your trading plan, don’t just focus on profit points—consider the long-term impact of accumulated fees. By strategically combining Maker and Taker orders, you can significantly improve your actual trading returns.