In OKX spot trading, the process for buy and sell orders is the same. Choosing between a limit order and a market order depends on whether you want to control the execution price or ensure immediate execution. First, make sure you have the corresponding USDT (to buy) or tokens (to sell) in your account, then follow the steps below.
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Step 1: Go to the Spot Trading Page and Select a Trading Pair
First, open the OKX app or website and go to the spot trading interface.
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What to do: Pick the trading pair you want to trade.
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How to do it:
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App: Tap [Trade] in the bottom navigation bar, then select [Spot] at the top.
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Website: Click [Trade] in the top menu, then [Spot Trading].
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In the search box at the top left, enter and select your trading pair, such as BTC/USDT (use USDT to buy BTC) or ETH/USDT (sell ETH for USDT). Beginners are advised to start with stablecoins like USDT for easier profit/loss calculation.
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Done: The candlestick chart area will display your selected trading pair, and the order panel is below it.
Step 2: Choose "Limit Order" or "Market Order" and Fill in the Details
In the order area, select the order type. The two work completely differently.
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Case A: Using a "Limit Order" — You want to set your own buy or sell price. The order will fill only when the market reaches or betters your set price. This suits scenarios where you have a clear price target and don't mind waiting.
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How to do it: Tap [Limit] in the order panel. Enter your preferred maximum buy price or minimum sell price in the [Price] field, and the amount in the [Quantity] field. For example, if BTC is currently at 65,000 USDT and you want to buy at 62,000 USDT, enter 62000 in the price box.
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Case B: Using a "Market Order" — You want immediate execution at the best available market price, without caring about the exact price. Best for fast-moving markets when you need to enter or exit quickly.
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How to do it: Tap [Market] in the order panel. You don't need to set a price. Just enter the amount in the [Quantity] or [Amount] field, and the system will fill your order at the best available prices instantly.
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Fee structures also differ. Market orders are "Taker" orders that eat up existing orders, with slightly higher fees. Limit orders placed on the order book wait to be filled and are "Maker" orders, providing liquidity, usually with lower fees. For OKX spot, regular users have a Maker fee of about 0.08% and a Taker fee of about 0.10%. Getting into the habit of using limit orders can save a lot in fees over time.
Step 3: Confirm and Submit the Order
After filling in the details, double-check everything before clicking Buy or Sell.
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What to do: Click the [Buy] or [Sell] button, confirm the order information, and submit.
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How to do it:
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Market order: After clicking, the order fills immediately. You can see the trade under "Order History".
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Limit order: After clicking, the order appears in "Open Orders" with a "Pending" status. If the price doesn't reach your level, it remains open until filled or you cancel it manually.
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Done: After a market order fills, check your balance under [Assets] - [Spot Account]. When a limit order fills, it moves from "Open Orders" to "Order History" with the status "Filled".
Common Reasons for Failure
Beginners most often mix up the price entry. If you want to buy but set a limit price higher than the current market price, your limit order will fill instantly and you'll overpay. If you want to sell but set a price lower than the market, you'll sell at the lowest point. Remember this rule: For buy limit orders, set a "low" price; for sell limit orders, set a "high" price.
If you accidentally buy at the wrong price or change your mind, you can cancel the pending limit order immediately in "Open Orders" by clicking "Cancel". However, if a market order has already been executed, it can't be reversed—you can only handle it by doing the opposite trade (e.g., selling). Also, before placing an order, make sure your spot account has enough funds, otherwise the order will fail due to "Insufficient Balance".
How to Verify Completion
After a market order fills, open your [Spot Wallet] to confirm the token balance has updated. For a limit order, once filled, it disappears from [Open Orders] and appears in [Order History] with the status "Filled".
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Next Steps After Your First Trade
Try placing a small limit order to experience the process. Set a price slightly lower than the current price (if buying) or slightly higher (if selling) and observe how it sits on the order book and how it gets filled—this is the most intuitive way to understand how the order book works.
