Understanding how futures trading fees are calculated is essential for any crypto trader aiming to maximize profits and minimize costs. Among leading platforms like Binance, OKX, and others, fee structures can vary significantly—especially in futures markets where leverage, margin types, and payment methods all influence the final cost. This guide breaks down exactly how Binance futures fees are calculated, covering U-margined and coin-margined contracts, maker/taker models, BNB discounts, and more.
Understanding Futures Trading on Binance
Futures trading allows traders to speculate on the future price of an asset without owning it. On Binance, users can trade both U-margined (USDT-settled) and coin-margined contracts. These differ not only in collateral type but also in fee structure, settlement, and risk exposure.
All spot trading VIP levels on Binance automatically apply to futures markets, though with a key difference: the trading volume requirement for each VIP tier is 5x higher in futures due to leveraged exposure. Despite this, futures fees are generally lower than spot trading fees at equivalent tiers.
Maker vs. Taker: The Core of Fee Calculation
The foundation of Binance’s fee model lies in distinguishing between two types of traders:
🟢 Maker Orders
When you place a limit order that doesn’t immediately fill and instead adds liquidity to the order book, you’re a maker. Since you're "making" the market, Binance rewards you with lower fees.
🔴 Taker Orders
If your order executes instantly—such as a market order—you’re removing liquidity from the market, making you a taker. This results in higher fees compared to maker trades.
This distinction applies across both U-margined and coin-margined futures.
Using BNB to Reduce Fees
One of the most effective ways to reduce trading costs on Binance is by paying fees with BNB (Binance Coin). Here's how it works:
- Users who pay futures trading fees with BNB receive a 10% discount off the standard rate.
- To qualify, you must transfer BNB from your spot wallet to your futures wallet.
- If your futures wallet lacks sufficient BNB at execution time, fees will be charged in USDT (or the relevant currency), and no discount will apply.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a small balance of BNB in your futures wallet to consistently benefit from reduced fees.
Additionally, when using multi-asset mode, transferred BNB can also serve as collateral for margin positions.
U-Margined vs. Coin-Margined Contracts: Fee Differences
Let’s compare the two main contract types available on Binance and their respective fee structures.
1. U-Margined Futures (USDT Settled)
In U-margined contracts, USDT is used as collateral, and profits/losses are settled in USDT. This model is beginner-friendly and widely used.
Standard Fees (VIP 0):
- Maker: 0.0200%
- Taker: 0.0400%
✅ BNB discount available: Yes (up to 10%)
👉 Discover how top traders optimize their futures strategies with smart fee management.
2. Coin-Margined Futures (Crypto Settled)
Here, the collateral is the underlying cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC). For example, when trading BTCUSD quarterly contracts, your margin and P&L are denominated in BTC.
Standard Fees (VIP 0):
- Maker: 0.0150%
- Taker: 0.0400%
🚫 BNB discount available: No
While coin-margined contracts offer slightly lower maker fees, they come with increased complexity and volatility risk since gains or losses directly affect your crypto holdings.
Mixed Margin Mode: Trade Without Converting Assets
Binance offers a mixed margin mode for U-margined futures that allows traders to use supported cryptocurrencies (currently BTC and BUSD) as collateral—without needing to convert them into USDT first.
This feature benefits users who hold BTC but want to trade USDT-margined contracts. It streamlines capital usage and reduces friction in cross-asset trading.
⚠️ Note: Borrowing rates apply if leveraging beyond your collateral. The lowest-tier daily interest rate starts at 0.36%.
How to Calculate Futures Fees: Real Examples
Let’s walk through practical calculations for both contract types.
🔹 Example 1: Coin-Margined Contract (BTCUSD Quarterly)
You use a market order to buy 10 contracts of BTCUSD 0925 quarterly futures.
- Contract size: $100 per contract
- Entry price: $10,104
- VIP 0 taker fee: 0.040%
Nominal Value = (Number of Contracts × Contract Size) / Price
= (10 × $100) / $10,104 = 0.09897 BTC
Taker Fee = 0.09897 × 0.040% = 0.00003959 BTC
Later, you close the position via a limit order at $11,104.
Nominal Value = (10 × $100) / $11,104 = 0.09 BTC
Maker Fee = 0.09 × 0.015% = 0.00001351 BTC
📌 Bonus Note: At expiry, all open positions in quarterly contracts incur a settlement fee of 0.015%.
🔹 Example 2: U-Margined Contract (BTCUSDT Perpetual)
You open a long position using a market order for 1 BTCUSDT perpetual contract.
- Entry price: $10,104
- VIP 0 taker fee: 0.040%
Nominal Value = Number of Contracts × Price
= 1 × $10,104 = **$10,104**
Taker Fee = $10,104 × 0.040% = **$4.0416 USDT**
On closing with a limit order at $11,104:
Nominal Value = 1 × $11,104 = **$11,104**
Maker Fee = $11,104 × 0.02% = **$2.2208 USDT**
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use BNB to pay fees in coin-margined contracts?
A: No. Unlike U-margined futures, BNB cannot be used to pay fees in coin-margined contracts, so the 10% discount does not apply.
Q: Do I need to manually transfer BNB to my futures wallet every time?
A: Once transferred, BNB stays in your futures wallet until used or moved back. It’s best to maintain a small standing balance there for continuous fee discounts.
Q: Are settlement fees charged on all futures?
A: Settlement fees (currently 0.015%) apply only to delivered contracts, such as quarterly futures, upon expiration. They do not apply to perpetual contracts.
Q: Is the maker fee always cheaper?
A: Yes, in nearly all cases, maker orders carry lower fees because they add liquidity. However, ensure your limit orders don’t remain unfilled for too long, as missed opportunities may offset savings.
Q: What happens if I run out of BNB in my futures wallet?
A: The system will automatically charge fees in the settlement currency (e.g., USDT or BTC), and you’ll lose eligibility for the BNB discount until sufficient funds are restored.
Q: Are there hidden fees in Binance futures?
A: There are no hidden fees. All charges—including trading, funding (in perpetuals), and settlement—are transparently listed. However, funding rates apply every 8 hours in perpetual swaps and should be monitored closely.
Final Thoughts: Optimize Your Trading Costs
Binance futures offer powerful tools for leveraged trading, but understanding the fee structure is crucial for long-term success. Key takeaways include:
- Use BNB for fee discounts in U-margined contracts.
- Prefer maker orders when timing allows.
- Consider mixed margin mode to avoid unnecessary asset conversions.
- Be aware of differences between U-margined and coin-margined fee models.
By mastering these elements, traders can significantly reduce overhead and improve net profitability—even in high-frequency or large-volume scenarios.
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