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Market vs. limit orders

There are two ways to buy a stock — pick by whether you're in a hurry or the price matters.

2026.06.03·4 min·
#order#market#limit#basics

There are two main order types. A market order says 'buy right now at whatever the price is,' and a limit order says 'buy when it hits this price.' The order book makes the difference obvious.

42
71,100
88
71,000
61
70,900
⚡ Market — fills right here, now
Last70,850
🎯 Limit — waits in line at your price
73
70,800
120
70,700
55
70,600
Asks (sell)Bids (buy)Example
Top rows are asks (sellers), bottom rows are bids (buyers). A market order fills from the top immediately; a limit order waits in line at your price. (Educational example)
Quick check

You want in right now, at any price. Which order?

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