How to close a position on KuCoin Futures?

Understanding Position Closure on KuCoin Futures

Closing a position on KuCoin Futures means exiting an open trade—either a long or short contract—to realize profits or limit losses. This process is essential for managing risk and locking in gains. When you close a position, the system matches your order with an opposing one on the order book or executes it instantly via market order. It's crucial to understand that closing a position is not automatic; you must manually initiate it unless you've set a stop-loss or take-profit trigger. KuCoin supports both cross-margin and isolated-margin modes, and the method to close varies slightly depending on your margin setting.

Steps to Close a Position Using the Web Interface

To close a futures position via the KuCoin Futures web platform:

• Navigate to the 'Futures' tab and select the specific contract (e.g., BTC/USDT).
• Locate the 'Positions' section at the bottom of the trading interface.
• Find your open position under 'Current Positions'.
• Click the 'Close' button next to the position.
• Choose between a limit order (set your own price) or a market order (execute immediately at best available price).
• Enter the amount you wish to close—if you want to fully exit, leave the default amount as the full position size.
• Confirm the order by clicking 'Sell' for long positions or 'Buy' for short positions.

Ensure your margin balance is sufficient if using a limit order, and always double-check the direction of the close order to avoid accidental new positions.

How to Close via the KuCoin Mobile App

The KuCoin mobile app offers a streamlined process:

• Open the KuCoin app and tap 'Futures'.
• Select the contract you're trading (e.g., ETH/USDT).
• Tap the 'Positions' tab at the bottom.
• Find your active position and tap the 'Close' option.
• Choose order type: limit or market.
• Input the quantity—ensure it does not exceed your current position size.
• Review the estimated P&L and fees before confirming.
• Tap 'Confirm' to execute the closure.

The mobile interface clearly displays unrealized P&L, so you can make informed decisions before closing. Note that slippage may occur with market orders during high volatility.

Using Stop-Loss or Take-Profit to Auto-Close Positions

KuCoin allows you to set automatic triggers to close positions when certain price levels are hit:

• While in the 'Positions' tab, click the three-dot menu next to your open trade.
• Select 'Set Stop-Loss/Take-Profit'.
• Enter the trigger price—this is the market price that will activate the order.
• Choose whether to use a limit or market order for the close.
• For take-profit, enter a price above your entry for longs or below for shorts.
• For stop-loss, enter a price below your entry for longs or above for shorts.
• Enable the trigger and confirm.

These tools are especially useful for traders who can't monitor the market constantly. The system will automatically close the position when the trigger price is reached, helping manage risk without manual intervention.

Differences Between Partial and Full Position Closure

You do not need to close your entire position at once. KuCoin supports partial closures:

• In the 'Close' dialog, enter a quantity less than your full position size.
• The remaining position stays open with updated average entry price and margin usage.
• Each partial close generates a separate transaction with its own P&L calculation.
• You can close the rest later manually or via automated orders.

This is particularly helpful if you want to secure partial profits while keeping exposure to potential further gains. Partial closure reduces your risk exposure proportionally but does not change the leverage or margin mode of the remaining position.

Common Issues When Closing Positions

Some users encounter problems during closure:

• Insufficient balance: If using limit orders, ensure your wallet has enough margin to cover the order.
• Incorrect order direction: Accidentally placing a buy instead of a sell in a long position may open a new trade.
• Slippage on market orders: During high volatility, the executed price may differ from expected, especially for large positions.
• Order not filled: Limit orders may remain open if the market doesn’t reach your set price.

Always review the order preview before confirming. KuCoin displays estimated fees, P&L, and execution price—review these carefully to avoid unintended outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close a position if my margin is below the maintenance level?Yes, you can manually close a position even if your margin ratio is low. However, if it falls below the maintenance margin, KuCoin may liquidate the position automatically before you get a chance to act.

What happens to my unrealized P&L when I close part of a position?Unrealized P&L is recalculated based on the portion closed. For example, if you close 50% of a long position, 50% of the unrealized profit or loss is realized and added to your wallet balance.

Does closing a position affect my funding fees?Funding fees are charged or credited based on your position at the time of each funding interval. Once you close a position, no further funding fees apply to that position—only for any remaining open portion.

Why can’t I see the “Close” button for my position?This usually happens if the position has already been liquidated or if the contract has expired. Check the 'History' tab under Positions to confirm the status of your trade.