Market order
An order to buy or sell a share at once, at the best price available right now.
A market order says “buy now” or “sell now” at the best price on offer. It fills quickly, which is handy, but you accept the price at that moment, which can be a little different from what you last saw. If the price matters more than speed, a limit order gives you control.
Questions people ask
What is a market order?
A market order tells your broker to buy or sell immediately at the best price available. It fills fast, but the exact price can differ slightly from the one you saw, especially in a fast-moving or thinly traded share.
When might a market order cost me more than expected?
When prices are moving quickly or few shares are on offer, a market order can fill at a worse price than the last one shown. A limit order avoids this by capping the price you'll pay.
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