title: How to Place a Trade description: Master the art of placing trades with this comprehensive step-by-step tutorial covering market orders, limit orders, and advanced entry techniques. author: Trading Platform Team lastUpdated: 2026-01-04 category: Tutorials tags:

• trading
• orders
• execution
• beginner relatedArticles:
• /docs/getting-started/first-trade
• /docs/tutorials/setting-stops
• /docs/tutorials/reading-charts
• /docs/features/trading-interface

How to Place a Trade

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to placing trades on the Trading Platform. You'll learn about different order types, execution methods, and best practices for trade entry.

Before You Begin

Ensure you have:

• ✅ Created and verified your account
• ✅ Connected at least one broker
• ✅ Familiarised yourself with the Platform Tour
• ✅ Understood basic Risk Management principles

Understanding Order Types

Before placing a trade, you need to understand the different order types available.

Market Orders

A market order executes immediately at the best available price.

When to use:

• You want to enter or exit the market NOW
• Speed is more important than exact price
• Trading liquid markets with tight spreads

Example:

Current EURUSD price: 1.1000/1.1002
Market Buy → Executes at 1.1002 (ask price)
Market Sell → Executes at 1.1000 (bid price)

Limit Orders

A limit order executes only at your specified price or better.

When to use:

• You want to buy at a lower price
• You want to sell at a higher price
• You're willing to wait for your price

Buy Limit Example:

Current EURUSD price: 1.1000
Buy Limit at 1.0950 → Order waits until price drops to 1.0950
                     → Executes at 1.0950 or better

Sell Limit Example:

Current EURUSD price: 1.1000
Sell Limit at 1.1050 → Order waits until price rises to 1.1050
                      → Executes at 1.1050 or better

Stop Orders

A stop order triggers a market order when price reaches your level.

When to use:

• Entering on breakouts
• Confirming momentum before entry
• Protecting profits with trailing stops

Buy Stop Example:

Current EURUSD price: 1.1000
Resistance level: 1.1050
Buy Stop at 1.1055 → Triggers when price breaks above resistance
                    → Confirms bullish breakout

Sell Stop Example:

Current EURUSD price: 1.1000
Support level: 1.0950
Sell Stop at 1.0945 → Triggers when price breaks below support
                     → Confirms bearish breakdown

Stop-Limit Orders

A stop-limit order triggers a limit order (not market) when price reaches your stop level.

When to use:

• You want breakout entry but with price protection
• Volatile markets where you want to limit slippage

Example:

Buy Stop-Limit:
Stop Price: 1.1050 (trigger)
Limit Price: 1.1060 (maximum execution price)
→ Triggers at 1.1050, fills at 1.1060 or better
→ If price gaps above 1.1060, order won't fill

Step-by-Step: Placing a Market Order

Step 1: Select Your Instrument

1. Use the search bar (press Cmd/Ctrl + /) to find your symbol
2. Or click a symbol from your Watchlist
3. The chart loads with live price data

Step 2: Analyse the Market

Before entering, consider:

| Factor | What to Check | | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | Trend | Is the market trending or ranging? | | Support/Resistance | Are you near key levels? | | Timeframe | Does higher timeframe confirm your bias? | | News | Any upcoming economic events? |

Step 3: Determine Trade Direction

• Buy (Long): You expect price to go UP
• Sell (Short): You expect price to go DOWN

Click the Buy (green) or Sell (red) button to open the order panel.

Step 4: Set Position Size

Choose your position size wisely:

| Method | Description | Best For | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------- | | Fixed Lots | Specify exact lot size | Experienced traders | | Risk Amount | Specify dollar risk, size calculated | Risk-focused approach | | Risk Percentage | Risk % of account | Consistent position sizing |

Risk-Based Sizing Formula:

1Position Size = Risk Amount / (Stop Loss Distance × Pip Value)
2
3Example:
4Account: $10,000
5Risk: 2% = $200
6Stop Loss: 50 pips
7EURUSD Pip Value: $10/lot
8Position Size = $200 / (50 × $10) = 0.40 lots

Step 5: Set Stop Loss and Take Profit

Stop Loss:

1. Toggle Stop Loss ON
2. Enter your SL level as:
   • Exact price (e.g., 1.0950)
   • Pips from entry (e.g., 50 pips)
   • Dollar amount at risk

Take Profit:

1. Toggle Take Profit ON
2. Enter your TP level using same methods
3. Review the Risk:Reward ratio displayed

Example Configuration:

Buy EURUSD at 1.1000
Stop Loss: 1.0950 (50 pips risk)
Take Profit: 1.1100 (100 pips reward)
Risk:Reward = 1:2

Step 6: Review Order Summary

Before executing, verify:

• ✅ Correct symbol
• ✅ Correct direction (Buy/Sell)
• ✅ Appropriate position size
• ✅ Stop loss is set
• ✅ Take profit is realistic
• ✅ Risk:Reward is acceptable (minimum 1:2)

Step 7: Execute the Trade

1. Click Place Order or Buy/Sell button
2. If confirmation is enabled, click Confirm
3. Wait for execution (usually instant for market orders)
4. Confirmation toast appears when filled

Step-by-Step: Placing a Limit Order

Step 1: Open Order Panel in Pending Mode

1. Click Buy or Sell button
2. Change order type from Market to Limit
3. Or right-click on the chart at your desired entry level

Step 2: Set Entry Price

Enter your limit price:

• Buy Limit: Below current market price
• Sell Limit: Above current market price

1Current Price: 1.1000
2
3Valid Buy Limit: 1.0950, 1.0980, 1.0990
4Invalid Buy Limit: 1.1050 (above market)
5
6Valid Sell Limit: 1.1050, 1.1020, 1.1010
7Invalid Sell Limit: 1.0950 (below market)

Step 3: Set Expiration (Optional)

Choose how long your order remains active:

| Option | Description | | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | | GTC | Good Till Cancelled - stays until filled or cancelled | | Day | Expires at end of trading day | | GTD | Good Till Date - expires on specific date | | IOC | Immediate or Cancel - fill what you can, cancel rest |

Step 4: Set SL/TP for Pending Order

Even for limit orders, set your stop loss and take profit:

1. SL/TP will activate when the order fills
2. Calculate based on your planned entry price
3. Ensure risk:reward is still acceptable

Step 5: Submit Pending Order

1. Click Place Limit Order
2. Order appears in the Orders panel
3. Yellow line shows pending entry on chart
4. Order fills automatically when price reaches your level

Step-by-Step: Placing a Stop Order

Step 1: Identify Breakout Level

Find a significant price level:

• Resistance for buy stop
• Support for sell stop

Step 2: Set Stop Entry Price

1Buy Stop (Breakout Long):
2Resistance at 1.1050
3Buy Stop at 1.1055 (slightly above to confirm break)
4
5Sell Stop (Breakdown Short):
6Support at 1.0950
7Sell Stop at 1.0945 (slightly below to confirm break)

Step 3: Configure Order

1. Select order type: Stop
2. Enter stop price
3. Set position size
4. Add SL/TP (calculated from stop entry, not current price)

Step 4: Submit Stop Order

1. Click Place Stop Order
2. Order waits in pending state
3. Red line shows stop entry on chart
4. Triggers when price reaches your level

Advanced Entry Techniques

Scaling In

Enter a position gradually:

1. First entry: 50% of intended position
2. Price confirms: Add remaining 50%
3. Average entry price improves

Example:

Intended position: 1.0 lot
First entry at 1.1000: 0.5 lots
Price moves to 1.1020, confirms trend
Second entry at 1.1020: 0.5 lots
Average entry: 1.1010

Pyramid Entries

Add to winning positions:

1. Enter initial position
2. Price moves in your favour
3. Add smaller position at better level
4. Adjust stop loss to breakeven on first entry

One-Cancels-Other (OCO)

Place two orders where filling one cancels the other:

Use case: Breakout from a range

1Range: 1.0950 - 1.1050
2
3Buy Stop at 1.1055 (break above range)
4Sell Stop at 1.0945 (break below range)
5
6OCO: If Buy Stop fills, Sell Stop cancels automatically

Quick Trade: One-Click Trading

For experienced traders, enable one-click trading:

1. Go to Settings → Trading Preferences
2. Enable One-Click Trading
3. Trading buttons execute immediately without confirmation
4. Use with caution!

One-Click Panel Features:

• Pre-set lot sizes (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, etc.)
• Single click to buy/sell at market
• Instant execution

Mobile Trading

Place trades from your mobile device:

Mobile Order Entry

1. Open the Trading Platform app
2. Search for symbol or use watchlist
3. Tap Trade button
4. Configure order details
5. Swipe to confirm (prevents accidental trades)

Mobile-Specific Features

| Feature | Description | | -------------------- | ---------------------------- | | Swipe to confirm | Extra safety for execution | | Touch SL/TP | Drag levels on mini-chart | | Quick close | Swipe position to close | | Alerts | Push notifications for fills |

Common Entry Mistakes

1. Wrong Position Size

Problem: Trading too large, risking account ruin Solution: Always use the position size calculator; never risk more than 2%

2. No Stop Loss

Problem: Single trade can wipe out account Solution: ALWAYS set a stop loss before executing

3. Poor Entry Timing

Problem: Entering during news events, getting whipsawed Solution: Check economic calendar; avoid trading 30 mins before/after major news

4. Chasing Price

Problem: FOMO entry at bad prices after missing the move Solution: Wait for pullbacks; use limit orders

5. Ignoring Spread

Problem: Not accounting for spread in stop distance Solution: Add spread to your stop loss distance on short-term trades

Trade Entry Checklist

Use this checklist before every trade:

• [ ] Analysed chart on multiple timeframes
• [ ] Identified clear entry reason
• [ ] Calculated proper position size
• [ ] Set appropriate stop loss
• [ ] Set realistic take profit
• [ ] Risk:Reward is at least 1:2
• [ ] Checked economic calendar
• [ ] Not trading during major news
• [ ] Emotionally calm (not revenge trading)
• [ ] Trading plan allows this trade

Next Steps

Now that you know how to place trades, continue with:

• Setting Stop Losses - Protect your capital effectively
• Reading Charts - Improve your analysis
• Using Indicators - Enhance your edge
• Managing Portfolio - Handle multiple positions

Need Help?

• Trading FAQ: Common Questions
• Live Support: Click the chat widget
• Video Tutorial: Watch: Placing Your First Trade