TWS DAY versus GTC: order duration explained

Quick answer

DAY and GTC tell TWS how long an order should stay working. They do not, on their own, say that it may trade outside normal hours. Check the order’s time rule and its hours as two separate fields. Check attached exits too.

Educational software guidance. Trading involves risk. Read the financial and information disclaimers.

Step by step

1 Find Time in Force on the order ticket or in the needed preset.
2 Choose the duration intended for that specific order.
3 Check outside-hours eligibility and the product’s supported sessions separately.
4 Review attached exits as well as the entry; their durations may differ.
5 After sending the order, check the broker’s recorded attributes and any expiry or cancellation notice.

A practical example

Think of duration and hours as two questions. How long should this order stay on the books? At which times may it work? GTC answers the first question. It does not answer every part of the second. For example, a GTC limit may still be restricted to a supported regular session. Read both fields on the actual order. Check its stop and target too if they have their own time rules. A default on a new ticket is not proof of what an old working order now says. Keep the final broker details with the test.

Illustrative scenario, not a record of a trade placed during this review.

Screen reference

TWS duration menu showing DAY, GTC, IOC, overnight choices and Fill outside RTH — Duration and session eligibility are separate choices. These options were inspected without selecting a new value or sending an order. Captured in TWS paper mode on 3 October 2026. Open the image for full size.

How to confirm the result The working order should have the intended duration and session eligibility.

Mistake to avoid

GTC is not a promise that an order survives every corporate action, broker rule, or product event.

Common questions

Does GTC automatically mean outside regular hours?

No. Duration and session eligibility are different settings.

Will my preset update an existing order?

Review and change an existing order explicitly; do not assume defaults rewrite it.

TWS says Submitted but the order has not filled TWS order stuck on PendingSubmit TWS order is Inactive: find the actual reason

Financial and information disclaimers

Financial disclaimer

These guides explain software. They are for education, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. No example is a suggestion to buy or sell a product or use a trading strategy. Trading can lose money, including all funds you put at risk. With margin, futures, short sales, or some options, losses can exceed your starting funds. Automation can fail, send duplicate orders, or act late. Stops do not guarantee a fill or a price. Review your orders and positions, and seek advice from a qualified professional for your own needs. Paper trades, examples, and past results do not predict live results or promise a profit.

Information disclaimer

This is general help based on the sources and check date shown on the page. Screens, settings, fees, data access, and product support can change or differ by app version, account, country, and broker. The content may contain errors or become out of date; accuracy, completeness, and continuous service are not guaranteed. Check current broker and app instructions before acting. Screenshots show where controls are; they do not prove that an order test passed. This guide does not replace broker terms or risk notices. References to IBKR and TradingView identify their products and do not imply their endorsement of this guide.