Home › Learn › Market Orders vs Limit Orders
Market Orders vs Limit Orders
Learn the difference between market and limit orders and when to use each.
Market orders
A market order buys or sells immediately at the best available price. It is fast and almost certain to fill, but in a fast or thin market the price you actually get can differ from the price you saw.
Limit orders
A limit order sets the exact price you are willing to buy or sell at. It only fills if the market reaches that price, so it can sit unfilled, but you control the price.
Fees
Limit orders that add liquidity to the order book often cost less in fees than market orders that take liquidity, depending on the platform's fee schedule.
Which to choose
Use market orders when speed matters more than price, and limit orders when price matters more than speed.
Ready to practice? Create a free Dutch Trade account to explore crypto markets.
Educational content only, not financial advice. Crypto assets carry a high risk of loss.
Keep learning
Look up unfamiliar words in the crypto glossary or browse coin markets.