Scalar market
Last reviewed 2026-08-07
Scalar market — definition
A market that resolves to a number on a continuous range rather than a yes/no — e.g. final SAT score or acceptance rate.
Scalar markets are rarer than binaries but useful for forecasting magnitudes. Payout scales with how close the resolution number lands to the trader's position.
Kalshi offers a limited menu; Polymarket's prediction-market UI is primarily binary and categorical.
Learn more: Event contracts explained: what they are and how they work
See also
Frequently asked questions
What does scalar market mean in prediction markets?
A market that resolves to a number on a continuous range rather than a yes/no — e.g. final SAT score or acceptance rate.
How does scalar market work in practice?
Scalar markets are rarer than binaries but useful for forecasting magnitudes. Payout scales with how close the resolution number lands to the trader's position.
Sources & further reading
- CFTC — Event contracts explainedU.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
- Kalshi — how prices and settlement workKalshi
- UMA Optimistic Oracle documentationUMA Protocol
Last reviewed 2026-08-07 · CollegePredictionMarkets.com