Let's get to the point: both options exist, and you need to choose. When you create a spot grid or futures grid on OKX, the system gives you two options: Arithmetic Grid and Geometric Grid. The one you choose decides whether your grid spread is based on a fixed amount or fixed percentage.
In OKX grid strategies, this choice is one of the most important parameters when setting up a grid.
Case A: Choose "Arithmetic Grid" — spread is based on a fixed amount
If you choose this, the price difference between each grid is a fixed USDT amount.
For example, you set 5 grids on the BTC/USDT pair with a range of 25,000–30,000 USDT. If you choose arithmetic grid, the system calculates these prices: 25,000, 26,000, 27,000, 28,000, 29,000, 30,000. Each grid gap is exactly 1,000 USDT.
Who it suits: coins with a relatively stable, narrow trading range. For example, if BTC moves sideways between 25,000 and 30,000, a 1,000 USDT gap per grid is clear and easy to calculate.
Who it may not suit: coins with large price swings. For example, if the price rises from 25,000 to 60,000, an arithmetic grid still keeps a 1,000 USDT gap per grid at higher levels. The grid density does not change much, but the return percentage per price move becomes different, making it easy to misjudge.
Case B: Choose "Geometric Grid" — spread is based on a fixed percentage
If you choose this, the price difference between each grid is a fixed percentage.
For example, you set a 1% grid spread. Starting from 1 USDT, the system calculates prices like this: 1, 1.01, 1.0201, 1.0303... Each grid goes up by exactly 1%.
Who it suits: coins with large price swings and long-term upward volatility. A geometric grid automatically widens the price gap at high price levels and narrows it at low price levels, so it adapts better to wide-ranging markets.
How to choose — based on your coin and price range
| Comparison | Arithmetic Grid | Geometric Grid |
|---|---|---|
| Spread calculation | Fixed amount (each grid differs by X USDT) | Fixed percentage (each grid differs by X%) |
| Suitable coins | Stable, narrow trading range | Large price swings, long-term upward volatility |
| Typical scenario | BTC oscillating in a fixed range | SOL, ETH and other more volatile coins |
| High price behavior | Grid gap stays the same, profit ratio may shrink | Grid gap widens automatically, profit ratio stays more stable |
How to confirm your choice
Before creating a grid, go to OKX [Trade] → [Strategy Trading] → [Spot Grid] or [Futures Grid]. On the parameter settings page, find "Grid Mode" and manually select "Arithmetic" or "Geometric". After selecting, the system will show the list of grid prices. Check whether it matches the spread mode you expected.
Risk reminder: choosing the wrong mode can waste your effort
If you choose arithmetic grid but the market rises by 50%, the price gap in the higher range is still a fixed amount, so the return percentage per trade is clearly squeezed. On the other hand, if you choose geometric grid but the market moves sideways in a narrow range, the price gap may be too large, so price movements may not trigger many trades, and capital utilization becomes very low. The more grids you set, the more often trades trigger, and fees may eat more of your profit.
