What are the trading fees for OKX perpetual swaps?

Understanding OKX Perpetual Swaps Trading Fees

When trading perpetual swaps on OKX, users encounter a fee structure designed to differentiate between makers and takers. These fees are essential to understand as they directly impact trading profitability. The maker is the trader who adds liquidity to the order book by placing a limit order that does not execute immediately. Conversely, the taker removes liquidity by executing an order against an existing one on the order book. OKX applies different fee rates based on this distinction.

• The standard maker fee for perpetual swaps on OKX is 0.02%
• The standard taker fee is 0.05%

These base rates apply to users who are not enrolled in OKX’s fee tier system or holding sufficient OKB tokens to qualify for discounts. It is important to note that these fees are charged in the settlement currency of the contract, which is typically USDT or USDⓈ for most USDT-margined contracts, and BTC or ETH for coin-margined contracts.

Fee Discounts via OKB Holdings

OKX offers a significant incentive for users who hold its native utility token, OKB. By holding and using OKB to pay fees, traders can reduce their costs substantially. The discount is applied automatically when OKB is selected as the fee payment method in the account settings.

To activate the OKB fee discount, follow these steps:

• Log in to your OKX account
• Navigate to 'Assets' → 'Transaction Fees'
• Select 'Fee Payment Method'
• Choose 'OKB' as the payment token
• Confirm the change

Once enabled, the following fee reductions apply:

• With ≥ 500 OKB, the maker fee drops to 0.015% and the taker fee to 0.04%
• With ≥ 1,000 OKB, the maker fee is reduced to 0.01% and the taker fee to 0.035%
• Higher tiers exist for larger holdings, with the maximum discount reached at ≥ 2,500 OKB, bringing the maker fee down to 0.00% (zero) and the taker fee to 0.02%

These reductions are applied per 30-day trading volume and OKB balance snapshots taken regularly by the platform.

Fee Tiers Based on 30-Day Trading Volume

OKX implements a volume-based fee tier system that adjusts trading fees according to the user’s cumulative trading volume over the past 30 days. This system operates independently of OKB holdings, though the benefits are combinable. The higher the volume, the lower the fees.

To check your current fee tier:

• Go to the 'Trading' section
• Click on 'Fee Rates' or 'Tier Overview'
• View your 30-day volume and corresponding fee bracket

For example:

• Users with in volume remain at the standard tier: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker
• At ≥ 50,000 USDT, the maker fee reduces to 0.015%, taker to 0.045%
• At ≥ 500,000 USDT, maker drops to 0.01%, taker to 0.04%
• Top-tier traders with ≥ 50,000,000 USDT volume can achieve 0.00% maker fee and 0.02% taker fee

These tiers are recalculated daily, and volume is aggregated across all perpetual swap pairs.

How Fees Are Applied During Trades

Fees on OKX perpetual swaps are deducted automatically at the time of trade execution. For long positions, the fee is taken from the margin balance in the contract’s settlement currency. For short positions, the same applies — fees are paid from the available margin.

Consider a trade involving a USDT-margined BTC/USDT perpetual swap:

• A user opens a long position with a 1,000 USDT order at market price
• As a taker, they incur a 0.05% fee: 1,000 × 0.0005 = 0.50 USDT
• This 0.50 USDT is immediately deducted from their USDT wallet balance tied to the futures account

If the user had placed a limit order that waited on the order book before being filled, they would be classified as a maker, and the fee would be 0.02% (0.20 USDT). The classification is determined algorithmically by OKX based on order type and execution behavior.

Fees for Closing Positions and Liquidation

Closing a perpetual swap position is treated the same as opening one — fees depend on whether the closing order acts as a maker or taker. There is no separate fee schedule for exits.

For instance:

• A trader closes a position using a market order — this is a taker, so 0.05% applies
• If they use a limit order that gets filled later, it’s a maker, incurring 0.02%

In the event of liquidation, OKX still charges a taker fee on the closing transaction. This is because the liquidation engine executes as a market order, which removes liquidity. The fee is deducted from the remaining margin, potentially increasing the total loss.

It is critical to monitor effective leverage and maintenance margin to avoid unexpected fee deductions during adverse price movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my fee payment currency from USDT to OKB after placing a trade?No, the fee payment method must be set before the trade executes. Once a trade is completed, fees are deducted based on the setting active at that moment. To ensure OKB discounts, configure the payment method in advance under 'Transaction Fees' in your account settings.

Are there different fees for USDT-margined and coin-margined perpetual swaps?No, the fee percentages are identical across USDT-margined and coin-margined contracts. However, the fee is paid in the settlement currency — for BTC/USDⓈ contracts, fees are in BTC, while USDT pairs deduct in USDT.

Does OKX charge fees for placing but not filling limit orders?No, unfilled limit orders do not incur any fees. Fees are only applied when an order is fully or partially executed. If a limit order remains on the book and is canceled, no cost is charged.

How often are fee tiers updated on OKX?OKX updates volume-based fee tiers and OKB-based discounts daily, based on snapshots taken at 00:00 UTC. Changes in trading volume or OKB balance are reflected within 24 hours, affecting all subsequent trades.