Reviewed guide | 2026-10-01
Picking an OKX order type by asking what should happen next
Each OKX order type expresses a different intention. How to choose between market, limit, post-only and conditional orders on OKX based on what you want to happen, and how to check that it did.
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An order is an instruction, and each order type on OKX expresses a slightly different intention. A market order says fill me now at whatever price is available. A limit order says fill me only at this price or better. A post-only order says rest on the book and never take liquidity. A conditional order says wait until a trigger, then act. Problems arise when the type chosen does not match the intention: a market order in a thin book, a limit order that crosses the spread or a stop that triggers in a sudden move. This guide helps you match OKX order types to what you actually intend. Fee rates are on the official OKX fee page and are not quoted here.
Start by naming your intention
Before opening the order form, say in one sentence what you want: buy now regardless of small price differences, buy only below a certain price, add a resting order to the book, or protect an open position if the price moves against you. That sentence points to the order type. If you cannot express your intention clearly, it is usually better to wait than to place an order you do not fully understand.
Immediate versus controlled
Market orders prioritise speed and accept the prices available in the book, which can mean slippage when liquidity is thin. Limit orders cap the price but may not fill. A limit priced through the current market fills immediately as a taker, which is often not what users intend. Post-only orders, where available, are cancelled instead of crossing the book. Read the descriptions in the OKX help centre before relying on any of them.
Conditional orders need testing
Stop and take-profit orders wait for a trigger price. Once triggered, they may execute as market or limit orders depending on settings, and in fast markets the execution price can differ from the trigger. Test conditional orders with a small size, check how they appear in the order list and review the fill afterwards, so that you understand their behaviour before applying them to larger positions.
Check that the result matched
After each order, open the fill details in your history and compare them with your intention. Did it fill at the price you expected, as maker or taker, in one piece or several? Keep short notes on any surprises. Over time, these notes show which order types serve you well and which habits lead to unexpected fills, giving you a personal guide that is more useful than any general rule.
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Scenario checkpoint
- State your intention in one sentence before placing an order
- Use market orders only when speed matters more than price
- Check whether a limit price crosses the current market
- Test conditional orders with a small size first
- Compare each fill with your intention and note any surprises
Digital assets are volatile and derivatives can amplify losses. This website has no login, wallet connection, deposit form or customer-support chat.