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The setting that controls how long an order stays active before it fills or expires.
Why It Matters
Every order carries a hidden second instruction beyond price and quantity: how long to keep trying. That's time in force. A Day order dies at the close; a good-til-canceled order can run for weeks; immediate-or-cancel and fill-or-kill demand action this instant. Choosing it controls how long you stay exposed and whether unfilled shares linger or vanish. Most platforms default to Day, so it's easy to overlook until a forgotten order fills unexpectedly.
Key Points
- Controls how long an order stays active
- Common options: Day, GTC, IOC, FOK
- Usually defaults to Day if you do not change it
Learn More
Time in Force: Day, GTC, IOC & FOK
Get a complete explanation with examples, key takeaways, and a quiz to test your knowledge.
Related Terms
Common Questions
The setting that controls how long an order stays active before it fills or expires. Every order carries a hidden second instruction beyond price and quantity: how long to keep trying. That's time in force.
Every order carries a hidden second instruction beyond price and quantity: how long to keep trying. That's time in force. A Day order dies at the close; a good-til-canceled order can run for weeks; immediate-or-cancel and fill-or-kill demand action this instant. Choosing it controls how long you stay exposed and whether unfilled shares linger or vanish. Most platforms default to Day, so it's easy to overlook until a forgotten order fills unexpectedly.
Controls how long an order stays active
Common options: Day, GTC, IOC, FOK
Usually defaults to Day if you do not change it