Glossary
What is GTT Order (Good Till Triggered)? Meaning, Example & Why It Matters
A standing instruction that places an order automatically when the price reaches your trigger, valid for an extended period.
A GTT, or Good Till Triggered, order is an instruction stored by your broker that sits outside the exchange until a trigger price is hit. When the market reaches that level, the broker sends a limit order to the exchange on your behalf. GTTs are typically valid for a long period, such as a year, rather than just one trading day.
Why GTT Order matters to you
GTT orders are useful for long-term investors who want to buy at a target price or protect gains with a stop-loss without watching the market daily. Some brokers offer OCO (one cancels other) GTTs, which set both a target and a stop-loss on a holding, cancelling one when the other triggers.
Because a GTT is held by the broker, not the exchange, it depends on the broker's systems monitoring prices. When triggered, it places a limit order, which may not execute if the price moves away quickly. There is also no guarantee the trigger is detected at the exact moment the price touches it.
Practical tip: after a GTT triggers, check whether the resulting order actually executed. Set the limit price with enough room to fill, and review active GTTs regularly, especially after corporate actions like splits or bonuses that change share prices.
Example: Illustrative only: if you hold a stock at ₹1,000 and want to sell if it reaches ₹1,200 or falls to ₹900, an OCO GTT can place a sell order at whichever level is hit first and cancel the other.
See it in rupees: every charge and tax on a real trade, at every broker. Open the brokerage calculator
Related terms
- GlossaryStop-Loss Order
An order that triggers a buy or sell once the price reaches a set level, used to limit losses on a position.
- GlossaryLimit Order
An order to buy or sell only at a specified price or better, giving you control over the execution price.
- GlossaryBracket Order / Cover Order
Intraday order types that attach a compulsory stop-loss (cover order) or both stop-loss and target (bracket order).
Frequently asked questions
Is a GTT order sent to the exchange immediately?
No. It is stored by the broker and sent to the exchange only when the trigger price is reached.
Does a GTT guarantee execution?
No. When triggered, it places a limit order, which may not fill if the price moves away quickly.
Do all brokers offer GTT orders?
Not all brokers offer them, and features vary. Check your broker's platform for availability and validity periods.