Good 'Til Canceled (GTC)
An order that stays active until it fills or you manually cancel it — it does not expire at day end.
Good 'Til Canceled (GTC) is a time-in-force instruction that keeps your order alive across multiple trading sessions until it fills or you explicitly cancel it.
Brokers typically cap GTC orders at 30–90 days for safety. Always review open GTC orders after a weekend or earnings event — market conditions may have changed and a stale fill could catch you off guard.
GTC is the default for most resting limit and stop orders placed outside of day-trading setups.
Related Terms
Day Order
An order that expires at the end of the current trading session if not filled.
BeginnerLimit Order
An order to buy or sell only at a specified price or better. Guarantees price but not execution.
BeginnerStop-Loss Order
A stop order placed to exit a position at a loss before it grows larger. The primary tool for managing downside risk.
BeginnerTime in Force
The instruction attached to an order specifying how long it remains active before it is canceled if unfilled.
Beginner