When placing a trade on an exchange, two of the most common choices are a market order and a limit order. A market order buys or sells immediately at whatever the current best price is. It prioritises speed, so it fills quickly, but the exact price is not guaranteed, especially in fast-moving or thin markets.
A limit order lets you set a specific price at which you are willing to buy or sell. It only executes if the market reaches that price. This gives you control over the price but no guarantee the order fills, since the market may never hit your chosen level.
The choice reflects a trade-off between certainty of execution and control over price. Understanding both helps you read how exchanges work, without implying any particular strategy about when or whether to trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
When would a market order not fill at the expected price?
In fast-moving or low-liquidity markets, the price can shift between placing and filling the order, so a market order may execute at a slightly different price than expected.
Does a limit order always execute?
No. A limit order only fills if the market reaches your chosen price. If it never does, the order stays open or eventually expires without executing.
