Post-Only Order
A limit order that is automatically canceled if it would execute immediately — ensuring it rests in the book and earns maker status.
A post-only order guarantees the order will be added to the order book as a resting limit, never as an immediate taker. If the price you submit would cross the current spread and execute right away, the exchange rejects or adjusts the order rather than filling it as a taker.
Post-only orders are critical on maker-taker exchanges (crypto in particular) where the difference between a maker rebate and a taker fee can be several basis points — meaningful at scale.
Retail brokers for equities rarely expose this option, but crypto and futures platforms make it standard.
Related Terms
Hidden Order
A limit order whose full quantity is invisible to other market participants — only the fill is reported post-execution.
AdvancedImmediate or Cancel (IOC)
An order that executes as much as possible immediately, then cancels any unfilled portion.
IntermediateLimit Order
An order to buy or sell only at a specified price or better. Guarantees price but not execution.
BeginnerMaker
A trader whose limit order rests in the order book, adding liquidity and typically earning a fee rebate on maker-taker exchanges.
IntermediateMaker-Taker Fees
A two-sided fee model where liquidity providers (makers) earn rebates and liquidity takers pay fees.
AdvancedTaker
A trader whose order immediately executes against a resting limit, removing liquidity from the book and typically paying a fee.
Intermediate