Are you ready to take more control over your trades and avoid unexpected price fluctuations? Using a limit order on Webull is a fantastic way to do just that! Unlike a market order, which executes immediately at the best available price (which might not always be what you expect, especially in volatile markets), a limit order lets you specify the exact price you're willing to buy or sell a stock at. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, making sure you understand every aspect of placing a limit order on Webull.
Understanding the Power of Limit Orders
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly solidify why limit orders are so valuable. Imagine a stock you want to buy is currently trading at $50. If you place a market order, you might end up buying it for $50.05, $50.10, or even more if the price moves quickly. With a limit order, you can set your maximum buy price at, say, $49.90. Your order will only execute if the stock drops to $49.90 or lower. Similarly, if you're selling a stock at $100, a market order might sell it for $99.95. A limit sell order at $100.10 will only execute if the stock reaches that price or higher, ensuring you get your desired return.
This precision is particularly crucial for less liquid stocks or during periods of high market volatility. Now, let's get down to business!
How To Place A Limit Order On Webull |
Placing a Limit Order on Webull: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you're using the Webull mobile app or the desktop platform, the process is quite intuitive. We'll focus on the mobile app experience, as it's the most common for many traders.
Step 1: Open Webull and Find Your Desired Stock
So, you've got Webull open, right? Great! That's the first step to taking control of your trades.
Launch the Webull App: Open the Webull app on your smartphone or tablet.
Navigate to the Watchlist or Search: You'll typically land on your customizable dashboard. From here, you can:
Select from your Watchlist: If the stock you want to trade is already in your watchlist, simply tap on its ticker symbol.
Search for a Stock: If it's not on your watchlist, use the search bar (usually represented by a magnifying glass icon) and type in the company's name or ticker symbol (e.g., AAPL for Apple, TSLA for Tesla).
Once you've found the stock, tap on it to go to its detailed quote page.
Step 2: Initiate the Trade
Now that you're on the stock's detail page, it's time to tell Webull you want to make a move.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling fast, start reading slow.
Locate the "Trade" Button: On the stock's quote page, you'll see various information like charts, news, and key statistics. Look for a prominent button that says "Trade" or "Buy/Sell" (often at the bottom of the screen). Tap on this button.
Step 3: Choose Your Order Direction (Buy or Sell)
This is a crucial decision. Are you looking to acquire shares or liquidate them?
Select "Buy" or "Sell": A new order screen will appear. You'll clearly see two options: "Buy" and "Sell".
Choose "Buy" if you want to purchase shares of the stock.
Choose "Sell" if you want to sell shares you already own.
Step 4: Select "Limit" as Your Order Type
This is where you specify the precision of your trade.
Tap on "Order Type": On the order entry screen, you'll typically see "Market Order" as the default. Tap on this field.
Choose "Limit": A pop-up menu will appear with various order types. Select "Limit".
Quick Tip: Familiarize yourself with other order types like "Market," "Stop," and "Stop Limit" later on, but for now, "Limit" is your focus.
Step 5: Set Your Limit Price
This is the core of your limit order – the price at which you're willing to trade.
Enter Your Desired Price: You'll see a field labeled "Price" (or similar). This is where you input your limit price.
For a Buy Limit Order: Enter the maximum price you are willing to pay per share. This price must be at or below the current market price for your order to have a chance of filling if the stock drops.
For a Sell Limit Order: Enter the minimum price you are willing to receive per share. This price must be at or above the current market price for your order to have a chance of filling if the stock rises.
Example: If a stock is trading at $100:
For a buy limit, you might set it at $99.50.
For a sell limit, you might set it at $100.50.
Remember: Your order will only execute at your specified limit price or better (lower for buy, higher for sell).
Step 6: Define the Quantity
How many shares do you want to buy or sell?
Enter the Number of Shares: In the "Quantity" or "Shares" field, type in the exact number of shares you wish to trade.
Webull often provides options to buy a percentage of your buying power or a specific dollar amount for fractional shares, if applicable. For whole shares, just type in the number.
Step 7: Set the Time-in-Force (TIF)
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
The Time-in-Force determines how long your order remains active in the market. This is an important setting!
Tap on "Time-in-Force": You'll usually see "Day" as the default. Tap on this field.
Choose Your Desired TIF: Common options include:
Day: (Most common) The order will remain active only until the end of the current trading day. If it's not filled by market close, it will automatically expire.
GTC (Good 'Til Cancelled): The order will remain active until it's filled or you manually cancel it. This can be useful for long-term price targets, but remember to monitor these orders as they can fill much later than expected.
Extended Hours (Post/Pre-Market): This option allows your limit order to be active during pre-market and after-hours trading sessions, which can have lower liquidity and wider spreads. Use with caution!
Consider your strategy: If you're looking for an immediate opportunity, "Day" is often sufficient. If you're willing to wait for a specific price over a longer period, "GTC" might be more appropriate.
Step 8: Review and Place Your Order
You're almost there! A final check is crucial to avoid any mistakes.
Review Order Details: Carefully double-check all the information you've entered:
Buy/Sell direction
Limit Price
Quantity of shares
Time-in-Force
Estimated Cost/Proceeds (Webull usually provides this)
Confirm and Place Order: If everything looks correct, tap the "Place Order" or "Confirm" button.
Webull may ask for your trading password or biometric authentication to finalize the order.
Step 9: Monitor Your Order
Once placed, your limit order won't necessarily execute immediately. It will wait for the market to reach your specified price.
Navigate to "Orders": On the Webull app, you can usually find an "Orders" or "Open Orders" section (often accessible from your main portfolio view or the "Trade" tab).
Track Order Status: Here, you'll see the status of your limit order:
"Working" or "Pending": Your order is active and waiting to be filled.
"Partially Filled": Some of your shares have been bought/sold, but not all. The remaining portion of the order is still active.
"Filled": Your entire order has been executed at your limit price or better.
"Cancelled": Your order was manually cancelled or expired (if "Day" TIF was used and it didn't fill).
Pro-Tip: You can usually modify or cancel an open limit order from this section if your mind changes or market conditions shift.
Important Considerations for Limit Orders on Webull
No Guarantee of Execution: A limit order is not guaranteed to fill. If the stock never reaches your specified limit price, your order will simply expire (for "Day" orders) or remain open (for "GTC" orders) without being executed.
Liquidity: For thinly traded stocks (those with low trading volume), a limit order might take longer to fill, or it might only partially fill, even if the price is met. This is because there might not be enough buyers or sellers at your exact price point.
Market vs. Limit: Understand the fundamental difference. Market orders prioritize speed of execution, while limit orders prioritize price. Choose wisely based on your trading goals.
Fractional Shares: Webull also offers fractional share trading for certain stocks. The process for placing a limit order for fractional shares is similar, but you'll specify a dollar amount rather than a number of shares.
Fees: While Webull offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, regulatory and exchange fees may still apply. These are typically very small.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
Here are some quick answers to common questions about limit orders on Webull:
How to Cancel a Limit Order on Webull?
Tip: Review key points when done.
Go to your "Orders" tab (usually found at the bottom navigation bar), locate the pending limit order, and tap on it. You should then see an option to "Cancel Order."
How to Modify a Limit Order on Webull?
Similar to canceling, go to your "Orders" tab, find the pending limit order, tap on it, and look for an option like "Modify Order." You can usually adjust the price or quantity.
How to See if My Limit Order Was Filled on Webull?
Check your "Orders" tab. If the status changes from "Working" or "Pending" to "Filled," your order has been executed. You'll also see the shares reflected in your portfolio.
How to Place a Limit Order for Fractional Shares on Webull?
When placing a buy order, after selecting "Limit" order type, you'll typically have an option to switch from "Shares" to "Amount." Enter the dollar amount you wish to invest, and Webull will buy a corresponding fractional share at your limit price.
How to Set a Stop-Limit Order on Webull?
On the order entry screen, under "Order Type," you'll find "Stop Limit." This order type requires both a "Stop Price" (which triggers the order) and a "Limit Price" (the maximum/minimum price for execution after trigger).
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
How to Understand "Good 'Til Cancelled" (GTC) on Webull?
GTC means your limit order remains active indefinitely until it is filled or you manually cancel it. It does not expire at the end of the trading day.
How to Use Limit Orders for Day Trading on Webull?
For day trading, limit orders are crucial for precise entry and exit points. Set your buy limits at desired support levels and sell limits at resistance or profit targets. Always use "Day" or a specific validity period to avoid unwanted overnight fills.
How to Place a Limit Order During Extended Hours on Webull?
When placing your limit order, select "Extended Hours" or "Post/Pre-Market" under the "Time-in-Force" option. Be aware of potentially lower liquidity and wider spreads during these times.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Limit Order and a Market Order on Webull?
A Market Order executes immediately at the current best available price, prioritizing speed. A Limit Order executes only at a specified price or better, prioritizing price control but with no guarantee of execution.
How to Avoid Partial Fills with Limit Orders on Webull?
While you can't guarantee a full fill, using a limit order for highly liquid stocks (those with high trading volume) increases the chances of a complete execution. For less liquid stocks, be prepared for potential partial fills.