What Is a Day Order?

By Catherine Brock – Updated Sep 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM

Key Points

Day orders are specific to current trading hours and expire if not filled by market close.
Investors must actively monitor day orders due to potential rapid market changes.
Alternatives like GTC orders provide extended duration, including extended trading hours.

The day order is a pivotal instruction used in stock trading. Understanding the uses and limitations of day orders can keep you from making costly mistakes that will undermine your investment returns. Let's review the basics now so you can use day orders with confidence.

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Person looks at ups and downs of ETFs in the stock market. — Image source: Getty Images.

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About the Author

Catherine grew up in Southern California wearing a lot of black and trying to perfect the art of sarcasm. Prior to joining The Fool as a contract writer, Catherine was climbing the corporate ladder in marketing roles and dabbling in too many side hustles. When she's not writing, she can be found riding a horse in the country or shopping online for clothes.

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@catherinejbrock

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