Understanding how futures trading fees are calculated is crucial for any crypto trader aiming to maximize profits and minimize costs. Among major exchanges like Binance, OKX, and others, fee structures can vary significantly—especially when it comes to derivatives such as futures contracts. This guide dives deep into how Binance calculates futures trading fees, covering both USDT-margined (U-margined) and coin-margined (coin-margined) contracts, the role of BNB discounts, and practical examples to help you estimate your costs accurately.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding the nuances of maker vs taker fees, nominal value calculations, and mixed collateral options can make a meaningful difference in your trading performance.
Understanding Futures Trading on Binance
Futures trading allows users to speculate on the future price of an asset without owning it. On Binance, traders can engage in two primary types of futures contracts:
- USDT-margined futures (U-margined): Traders use stablecoins like USDT as margin.
- Coin-margined futures (coin-margined): Margin is posted in cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC).
Each model has distinct fee structures, settlement methods, and margin requirements. Let’s break down how fees are calculated under each system.
Key Concepts: Makers vs Takers
Before diving into calculations, it's essential to understand the difference between makers and takers, which directly impacts your fees.
👉 What Is a Taker?
A taker places an order that executes immediately against existing orders in the order book—such as a market order. Since this removes liquidity, takers usually pay higher fees.
👉 What Is a Maker?
A maker places a limit order that adds liquidity to the market by waiting for another party to match it. Makers are rewarded with lower fees—or even rebates on some platforms.
Example: If you place a market buy order, you’re a taker. If you set a limit sell above the current price, you’re a maker.
Binance Futures Fee Structure Overview
Binance applies different fee rates based on:
- Contract type (U-margined or coin-margined)
- Your VIP level (determined by 30-day trading volume)
- Whether you pay with BNB
- Maker or taker status
All spot VIP levels are mirrored in futures trading, though futures volume requirements are 5x higher due to leverage.
| Contract Type | Maker Fee (VIP 0) | Taker Fee (VIP 0) | BNB Discount? |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Margined | 0.0200% | 0.0400% | Yes (up to 10%) |
| Coin-Margined | 0.0150% | 0.0400% | No |
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How to Calculate U-Margined Futures Fees
In USDT-margined futures, fees are paid in USDT and calculated using:
Fee = Nominal Value × Fee Rate
Nominal Value = Number of Contracts × Mark PriceExample: Buying BTCUSDT Futures
- Action: Buy 1 BTCUSDT contract via market order (taker)
- Entry Price: $10,104
- Taker Fee Rate (VIP 0): 0.0400%
Nominal Value = 1 × $10,104 = $10,104
Fee Payable = $10,104 × 0.0400% = 4.0416 USDT
Later, when selling at $11,104 using a limit order (maker):
Nominal Value = 1 × $11,104 = $11,104
Fee Payable = $11,104 × 0.0200% = 2.2208 USDT
✅ Pro Tip: Using limit orders reduces your cost significantly over time.
How to Calculate Coin-Margined Futures Fees
For coin-margined contracts, fees are paid in the underlying cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC), and nominal value is calculated differently:
Nominal Value = (Number of Contracts × Contract Size) / Mark PriceExample: Trading BTCUSD Quarterly Contract
- Buy 10 contracts of BTCUSD 0925 (quarterly)
- Contract Size: $100
- Entry Price: $10,104
- Taker Fee Rate (VIP 0): 0.040%
Nominal Value = (10 × $100) / $10,104 ≈ 0.09897 BTC
Taker Fee = 0.09897 × 0.040% ≈ 0.00003959 BTC
When closing the position at $11,104 with a limit order (maker):
Nominal Value = (10 × $100) / $11,104 ≈ 0.09 BTC
Maker Fee = 0.09 × 0.015% ≈ 0.00001351 BTC
📌 Note: Quarterly delivery contracts incur a settlement fee of 0.015% at expiry.
Can You Reduce Your Binance Futures Fees?
Yes—here’s how:
1. Use BNB to Pay Fees (U-Margined Only)
Binance offers up to a 10% discount on trading fees when paying with BNB in U-margined futures.
However:
- You must transfer BNB from your spot wallet to your futures wallet
- The BNB balance in the futures wallet must cover the fee
- If insufficient, fees will be charged in USDT (or asset) without discount
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2. Improve Your VIP Level
Higher VIP tiers reduce both maker and taker fees. Volume thresholds are based on 5x futures trading volume, so active traders can climb faster.
3. Trade More as a Maker
Since maker fees are lower than taker fees, placing limit orders instead of market orders helps cut costs—especially for high-frequency strategies.
Mixed Collateral Mode: Trade Without USDT
One powerful feature in U-margined futures is Mixed Collateral Mode, allowing traders to use supported cryptocurrencies like BTC or BUSD as margin—even when trading USDT-denominated contracts.
This eliminates the need to convert assets into USDT first.
Currently supported collateral:
- BTC
- BUSD
Interest rates apply when borrowing USDT against crypto collateral, starting at 0.36% daily interest (VIP 0).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are futures fees higher than spot trading fees on Binance?
Yes, generally futures fees are slightly higher due to complexity, leverage, and risk management overhead.
Q: Can I use BNB to reduce coin-margined futures fees?
No. BNB fee discounts are only available for U-margined futures, not coin-margined contracts.
Q: How do I transfer BNB to my futures wallet for fee discounts?
Go to your Binance account → Wallet → Transfer → Select “Spot” to “Futures” → Choose BNB → Confirm transfer.
Q: Why did I not get the BNB discount even though I own BNB?
The discount only applies if BNB is in your futures wallet and sufficient to cover the fee. Otherwise, the system defaults to USDT or other assets.
Q: What happens if I don’t have enough funds to pay the fee?
Insufficient balance may lead to forced liquidation or rejection of the trade. Always ensure adequate margin and fee coverage.
Q: Is there a separate settlement fee for futures contracts?
Yes. For quarterly delivery contracts, a settlement fee of 0.015% is charged on all open positions at expiry.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how Binance futures fees are calculated empowers you to make smarter trading decisions. Whether you're trading U-margined or coin-margined contracts, knowing the difference between maker and taker fees, leveraging BNB discounts where applicable, and optimizing your order types can significantly reduce long-term costs.
While Binance remains one of the most popular exchanges globally, comparing fee structures across platforms can further enhance profitability.
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By mastering these mechanics—and applying them consistently—you’ll gain a competitive edge in the fast-moving world of crypto derivatives.
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