Market Order
A market order is an order to buy or sell a stock at the current market price. Unless you specify otherwise, your broker will enter your order as a market order. The advantage of a market order is that as long as there are willing buyers and sellers, you are almost always guaranteed your order will be executed. The disadvantage is the price you pay when your order is executed may not be the price you expected.
Concept at a glance
Definition and explanation
A market order is an order to buy or sell a stock at the current market price. Unless you specify otherwise, your broker will enter your order as a market order. The advantage of a market order is that as long as there are willing buyers and sellers, you are almost always guaranteed your order will be executed. The disadvantage is the price you pay when your order is executed may not be the price you expected. [1]
Source-supported connections
Frequently asked questions
What does Market Order mean in the cited reference?
A market order is an order to buy or sell a stock at the current market price. Unless you specify otherwise, your broker will enter your order as a market order. The advantage of a market order is that as long as there are willing buyers and sellers, you are almost always guaranteed your order will be executed. The disadvantage is the price you pay when your order is executed may not be the price you expected. [1]
Market Order connection map
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Sources and review dates
Reviewed 23 October 2026. Historical dates and award-time affiliations retain their original context. A review date is not an event date. Background sources are identified separately from official records.