# What Order Types Are Available in Futures Trading?

Different order types allow you to execute futures trades in the most effective way depending on your strategy.Below are the most commonly used order types in contract trading.

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1. ### **Market Order**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * Executes **immediately**
   * Buys or sells at the **best available market price**
   * No need to set a price

   ####   **Best For**

   * Entering or exiting a position quickly
   * Situations where execution speed is more important than price

   ####   **Drawbacks**

   * In volatile conditions, the execution price may differ from the expected price (slippage)

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2. ### **Limit Order**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * You set the exact price you want to buy or sell at
   * Only executes when the market reaches your specified price

   ####   **Best For**

   * Traders who want to execute at a specific price
   * Situations where execution price matters more than speed

   ####   **Drawbacks**

   * If the market never reaches your price, the order may remain unfilled for a long time

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3. ### **Conditional / Trigger Order**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * You set a **trigger price**
   * Once triggered, the system automatically submits a **market order** or **limit order**

   ####   **Best For**

   * Setting **take-profit** and **stop-loss** levels
   * Automating trades without needing to monitor the market

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4. ### **Take Profit Order**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * Automatically closes your position when the market reaches your target profit
   * Helps lock in gains

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5. ### **Stop Loss Order**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * Automatically closes your position when the market moves against you
   * Controls losses and helps prevent liquidation

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6. ### **Trailing Stop**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * The stop price automatically adjusts as the market moves in your favor
   * Only triggers if the market reverses by a set percentage or amount

   ####   **Best For**

   * Riding upward or downward trends
   * Locking in profits automatically without manually adjusting stop-loss levels

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7. ### **Post-Only Order**

   ####   **Key Features**

   * Ensures your order is **added to the order book** and does not execute immediately
   * Guarantees **Maker** status, which usually provides lower fees

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8. ### **IOC / FOK Orders (Immediate Execution Conditions)**

   ####   **IOC — Immediate or Cancel**

   * Executes as much as possible immediately; any unfilled portion is canceled

   ####   **FOK — Fill or Kill**

   * Must be **fully** executed immediately
   * If full execution is not possible, the entire order is canceled

   ####   **Best For**

   * High-frequency trading
   * Large orders where execution certainty is important

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### **Summary Table**

| Order Type        | Immediate Execution      | Price Control  | Best For                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------ | -------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Market Order      | ✔                        | ✘              | Quick entries/exits              |
| Limit Order       | ✘ (Only when price hits) | ✔              | Ideal price execution            |
| Conditional Order | After trigger            | ✔/ ✘ (Depends) | Automated trading                |
| Take Profit       | After trigger            | ✔              | Locking in gains                 |
| Stop Loss         | After trigger            | ✔              | Risk control                     |
| Trailing Stop     | Auto-adjust              | ✔              | Trend following & profit locking |
| Post-Only         | ✘                        | ✔              | Maker fee benefits               |
| IOC / FOK         | ✔                        | ✔              | Large or fast execution needs    |