Day Order
An order that expires at the end of the current trading session if not filled.
A day order is active only for the current trading day. If the order is not executed before the market closes, it is automatically canceled — you must re-enter it the next session if still desired.
Day orders are the default time-in-force at most retail brokers unless you specify otherwise. They prevent forgotten limit orders from triggering after a stock has moved dramatically overnight.
Day orders suit intraday trading setups where the thesis is tied to the current session's price action.
Related Terms
Fill or Kill (FOK)
An order that must be filled in its entirety immediately or canceled outright — no partial fills, no waiting.
IntermediateGood 'Til Canceled (GTC)
An order that stays active until it fills or you manually cancel it — it does not expire at day end.
BeginnerImmediate or Cancel (IOC)
An order that executes as much as possible immediately, then cancels any unfilled portion.
IntermediateTime in Force
The instruction attached to an order specifying how long it remains active before it is canceled if unfilled.
Beginner