How to close an open position on OKX contracts?

On OKX Futures, an open position is an active long or short trade that remains exposed to market moves until manually closed or liquidated.

Aug 10, 2025 at 02:56 am

Understanding Open Positions on OKX Futures

An open position on OKX refers to an active trade in the futures market that has not yet been settled. When you enter a contract—either long or short—you are committing to buying or selling a specific cryptocurrency at a predetermined price. Until this position is closed, it remains exposed to market fluctuations. The platform supports both isolated and cross margin modes, which determine how your collateral is used. Recognizing the difference is essential because it affects your liquidation risk and available balance when closing. An open position will show key details such as entry price, leverage, margin mode, and unrealized P&L. These metrics are visible in the Positions tab on the OKX trading interface.

Navigating the OKX Trading Interface

To close a position, access the Futures section of the OKX platform. Whether using the web version or mobile app, locate the Trading or Derivatives menu. Once inside the futures trading panel, ensure you are on the correct contract type—USDⓈ-M (USDT-margined) or COIN-M (coin-margined). The Positions tab will display all active contracts. Each open position includes a Close button. Clicking this button opens a confirmation window. Before proceeding, verify the contract details, including symbol, size, leverage, and margin mode. Misidentifying the contract can lead to closing the wrong position, especially if you hold multiple trades.

Manual Closure via the Close Button

Closing a position manually is the most direct method. In the Positions tab, locate the active trade you wish to close. Next to the position, you’ll see a Close option. Click it to initiate the process. A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to choose the order type and quantity. You can close the entire position or a partial amount. If closing partially, enter the desired number of contracts or use the percentage sliders (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). Select the order type:

• Market Order: Executes immediately at the best available price. This guarantees closure but may result in slippage during volatile conditions.
• Limit Order: Lets you specify the price at which you want to close. This gives price control but risks non-execution if the market doesn’t reach your level.
  

  Confirm your selection by clicking Close Long or Close Short, depending on your original position.

  Using the Trading Panel to Place a Counter Order

  
  Another method to close a position is by placing an opposing trade directly in the Order Book section. For example, if you hold a long position of 1 BTC, you can manually place a sell order for 1 BTC of the same contract. This action offsets your existing exposure. In the trading panel:
• Select the same futures contract.
• Choose Sell if you are long, or Buy if you are short.
• Enter the exact quantity matching your open position.
• Choose Market or Limit order type.
• Confirm the trade.
  

  Once executed, the system automatically reduces or eliminates your open position. This method is useful for traders who want more control over execution price or are using algorithmic strategies.

  Setting Up Take-Profit and Stop-Loss Orders

  
  OKX allows you to automate position closure using conditional orders. These are especially helpful if you cannot monitor the market continuously. In the Positions tab, click Add TP/SL next to your open trade. You can set:
• Take-Profit (TP): Automatically closes the position when the price reaches a profitable level.
• Stop-Loss (SL): Closes the position if the price moves against you, limiting losses.
  

  When configuring:

  • Enter the trigger price (either in USD or as a percentage).
  • Choose the order type upon trigger (market or limit).
  • Specify whether the trigger is based on last price, mark price, or index price.

  For example, if you’re long BTC-USD-QUARTER at $40,000, you might set a take-profit at $45,000 and a stop-loss at $38,000. Once either price is hit, the system submits the closing order.

  Verifying Closure and Checking Transaction History

  
  After initiating closure, verify the result in the Positions tab. A successfully closed position will no longer appear. To confirm execution details:
• Go to Orders > Order History.
• Filter by Futures and Closed Orders.
• Locate the closing transaction and check its status, price, and fee.
  

  Additionally, review your Wallet or Account Overview to see the updated equity and available balance. The P&L from the closed trade will be reflected in your realized profit or loss. If using isolated margin, the margin allocated to that position is released back to your available balance.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  
  Can I close a position using a different order type after placing a limit order that didn’t fill?
  Yes. If your limit order to close remains unfilled, you can cancel it and replace it with a market order for immediate execution. Navigate to Open Orders, find the pending limit order, and click Cancel. Then, return to the Positions tab and use the Close button with Market Order selected.
  

  What happens if my position is liquidated instead of being manually closed?
  
  Liquidation occurs when your margin balance falls below the maintenance threshold. In this case, OKX automatically closes your position at the prevailing market price to prevent further losses. This is not a user-initiated closure and may result in a loss of all margin allocated to that trade. You can monitor your liquidation price in the Positions tab to avoid this.

  Is it possible to close only part of a futures position on OKX?
  
  Yes. When using the Close function, you can enter a custom quantity less than your full position size. For example, if you hold 10 ETH contracts, you can close 3 by typing “3” in the quantity field. The remaining 7 will stay open with updated average entry price and margin allocation.

  Does closing a position on OKX incur additional fees?
  
  Yes. Closing a position incurs a trading fee, which is a percentage of the trade value. The rate depends on your fee tier, determined by your 30-day trading volume and OKB holdings. Fees are deducted from your wallet upon execution. Maker orders (limit orders that add liquidity) typically have lower fees than taker orders (market orders that remove liquidity).