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Order types explained

Market orders execute immediately at the best available price; limit orders set the price you're willing to pay. Expiration options: end of day or GTC.

Market order

A market order executes immediately at the best available price. Use it when you want to enter a position quickly and are comfortable with the current price. In thin markets, where few people are trading, the available price may be wider than expected — check the current price before confirming.

Limit order

A limit order lets you set the maximum price you're willing to pay. Your order executes only if the market reaches that price. If it doesn't, the order stays open until it fills or expires.

Order expiration

When placing a limit order, you choose how long it stays active:

  • End of day cancels any unfilled order at the daily session rollover — midnight Central Time.

  • Good till canceled (GTC) keeps the order open until it fills or you cancel it manually.

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