How to modify a pending order on Kite
Pending orders on Zerodha Kite, those with status Open or Trigger pending, can be modified to change the price, quantity or trigger price before they are executed. Order modification is a routine part of active trading: you may want to chase a price, reduce quantity after a partial fill, or adjust a stop-loss level. This guide explains the complete modification procedure on Kite and the important consequences of modifying an order in the exchange’s order queue.
What can be modified
| Field | Modifiable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Limit price | Yes | Re-queues at the new price level |
| Quantity | Yes (only unfilled qty) | Cannot reduce below filled quantity |
| Trigger price | Yes (SL/SL-M orders) | Re-queues the trigger condition |
| Order type | Limited | Some conversions are not permitted |
| Product code | No | Change product via position conversion |
| Exchange | No | Cancel and re-place on the other exchange |
Step-by-step procedure
Log in to Kite
Open kite.zerodha.com or the Kite mobile app and authenticate with your client ID, password and TOTP.
Navigate to the Order book
Click Orders in the left navigation panel on Kite web. The Order book lists all orders placed during the current session, with their status. Pending orders (Open or Trigger pending) are typically shown at the top.
On the Kite mobile app, tap the Orders tab at the bottom navigation.
Open the modify panel
On Kite web: Click the order row you want to modify. A row expands below the order showing action buttons: Modify and Cancel. Click Modify. The order ticket re-opens, pre-filled with the current order parameters.
Alternatively, you can right-click (or long-press on touch screens) the order row to get a context menu with Modify and Cancel options.
On the Kite mobile app: Tap the pending order in the Orders list. A detail screen opens. Tap Modify at the bottom.
Edit the desired fields
The modify panel shows the same fields as the original order ticket, but pre-filled with the current values. Edit the fields you want to change:
Changing the limit price: Update the Price field. The most common modification, you may want to raise a buy price to chase the market or lower a sell price to attract buyers.
Changing quantity: Update the Qty field. If the order has been partially filled, the minimum modifiable quantity is the unfilled portion. You cannot set the new quantity below the already-filled quantity.
Changing trigger price (for SL or SL-M orders): Update the Trigger price field. This is common when the market has moved and your original stop level needs to be trailed.
Changing order type: Kite allows some conversions (for example, LIMIT to SL-M) through the modify interface, but not all. If the conversion is not available, cancel the order and place a new one.
Submit the modification
Click the Modify (or Update) button in the modify panel. Kite sends the modification request to the exchange’s order management system.
Verify the update in the Order book
The Order book refreshes automatically (or you can press F5 or pull-to-refresh on the app) to show the updated parameters. If the modification was accepted, the order row reflects the new price or quantity. If rejected, a toast message appears with the rejection reason, common reasons include the modified price being outside circuit limits or an attempt to modify a partially filled order below the filled quantity.
Modifying orders on the Kite mobile app
The mobile app modification flow is identical in logic to Kite web. Tap the order in the Orders tab, tap Modify, change the required fields on the order ticket screen, and tap Modify again to submit. The mobile app is convenient for trailing stop-loss modifications when you are away from a desktop.
Modifying GTT orders
GTT (Good Till Triggered) orders are managed from a separate section of the Order book (Orders > GTT). To modify a GTT, navigate to the GTT section, click or tap the GTT entry, and edit the trigger price, limit price or quantity. The same re-prioritisation logic applies: modifying a GTT cancels the original trigger and creates a fresh one.
What can go wrong
- Order already filled. If the order was filled between you clicking Modify and submitting the modification, Kite returns an error. The modification has no effect; the fill stands.
- Modified price outside circuit limits. If your new price is outside the exchange’s daily price band, the modification is rejected. Check the circuit limits on the scrip’s detail screen.
- Reduction below filled quantity. If you try to reduce the quantity to a value below the portion already filled, Kite rejects the modification. You can only cancel the unfilled remainder.
- Order expiring during modification. Near market close (3:30 PM IST), an order may expire while you are in the modify panel. Submit modifications well before the session ends.
Related guides
- How to cancel a pending order on Kite
- How to place a limit order on Kite
- How to place an SL order on Kite
- How to place a GTT order on Kite
- How to read the Kite order book
References
- Zerodha Support, Modifying orders on Kite, support.zerodha.com.
- NSE India, Order modification rules, trading member circular, nseindia.com.
- BSE India, Order management system, modification guidelines, bseindia.com.
- SEBI, Master Circular on order entry and modification, sebi.gov.in.