How to place a GTT order on Kite

From WebNotes, a public knowledge base. Last updated . Reading time ~8 min. Level: Intermediate.

A Good Till Triggered (GTT) order on Zerodha Kite is a standing conditional order that persists across multiple trading sessions until a specified trigger price is reached, up to a maximum validity of one year. When the trigger fires, Kite releases a limit order to the exchange on your behalf. GTT orders solve the key limitation of regular SL orders and limit orders, which expire at the end of each session; with GTT, you can set a buy-on-dip or take-profit target and walk away for days or weeks without needing to re-enter the order every morning. The GTT order reference article documents the product in detail; this guide covers the placement procedure step by step.

GTT trigger types

Single trigger: One trigger price with one associated limit order. Use this for:

  • Buying a stock if it dips to a support level.
  • Selling a stock if it rises to a target price.
  • Placing a stop-loss that persists across sessions.

OCO (One Cancels Other): Two trigger prices, one above and one below the current LTP, each with its own limit order. When one trigger fires, the other is automatically cancelled. Use OCO when you are holding a position and want to simultaneously protect the downside (stop-loss) and capture the upside (target), without having to choose which happens first.

Step-by-step procedure

Log in to Kite

Open kite.zerodha.com and sign in with your client ID, password and TOTP. GTT orders require you to be on Kite web or the Kite mobile app; they cannot be placed through Console.

Open GTT from the marketwatch or holdings

There are several entry points for creating a GTT:

  • From the marketwatch: Hover over the scrip row and click the three-dot (more options) icon that appears on the right. Select Create GTT.
  • From the scrip chart: Open the scrip’s chart by clicking the scrip name. In the chart view, look for the GTT icon or the GTT option in the action menu.
  • From Holdings: Navigate to Portfolio > Holdings. Hover over a holding row and click GTT in the action row. This pre-fills the scrip and sets the transaction type to Sell (since you are holding the shares).

Choose trigger type

The GTT creation panel opens. At the top, select the trigger type:

  • Single, one trigger condition.
  • OCO, two trigger conditions (one above the LTP, one below the LTP).

For new buyers setting a buy-on-dip alert, select Single. For holders wanting simultaneous stop-loss and target, select OCO.

Set trigger price and limit price for each leg

Single trigger, buy example (buying a dip):

  • Transaction type: Buy.
  • Trigger price: Set below the current LTP. Example: LTP is Rs 500; trigger at Rs 450 (the dip level you want to buy at).
  • Limit price: Set at or slightly above the trigger price to ensure the limit order is competitive. Example: Rs 452. When the LTP touches Rs 450, a buy limit order at Rs 452 is released to the exchange.

Single trigger, sell example (take profit):

  • Transaction type: Sell.
  • Trigger price: Set above the current LTP. Example: LTP is Rs 500; trigger at Rs 560 (your target).
  • Limit price: Set at or slightly below the trigger price. Example: Rs 558.

OCO, holding a position:

  • Upper trigger (target sell): Trigger at Rs 560, limit at Rs 558.
  • Lower trigger (stop-loss sell): Trigger at Rs 460, limit at Rs 457. Both legs are sell orders since you are holding a long equity position. Kite accepts both simultaneously. If the price rises to Rs 560, the target triggers and the stop-loss GTT is automatically cancelled. Conversely, if the price falls to Rs 460, the stop-loss triggers and the target is cancelled.

Enter quantity

Enter the number of shares in the Qty field for each leg. For OCO orders, both legs carry the same quantity (Kite enforces this since they refer to the same position).

Note that Kite does not validate your available funds or holdings at GTT creation time. If the trigger fires and you do not have sufficient funds (for a buy GTT) or shares (for a sell GTT), the released limit order will be rejected by the exchange.

Review and confirm

Kite displays a summary of the GTT with all trigger conditions, limit prices, quantities and the calculated position at each price level. Review the details, then click Create GTT. A confirmation toast appears with the GTT ID.

Monitor GTT status

Navigate to Orders in the left navigation, then select GTT from the tab row. GTT orders can have the following statuses:

  • Active, the trigger has not been reached; the order is monitoring the LTP.
  • Triggered, the trigger price has been touched and the limit order has been released to the exchange.
  • Executed, the released limit order was filled by the exchange.
  • Cancelled, you manually cancelled the GTT before it triggered.
  • Expired, the one-year validity lapsed without the trigger being reached.

You can modify or cancel an active GTT from this screen at any time.

Important limitations

  • GTT does not guarantee execution. When the trigger fires, only a limit order is released. If the market has moved past your limit price (due to a gap), the limit order may not fill. GTT is not a market order.
  • Funds must be present when triggered. If your account has insufficient funds on the day the trigger fires, the limit order is rejected.
  • One year maximum validity. GTT orders expire after 365 days. Zerodha sends a notification before expiry so you can renew if the trigger has not been reached.
  • Equity segment only. GTT is not available for futures and options instruments on Kite.
  • LTP-based trigger. The trigger is based on the last traded price on the exchange, not the bid or ask. During pre-open or post-market, LTP movements may be thin and erratic.

What can go wrong

  • GTT triggered on thin pre-open volume. A single pre-open trade at or below your trigger price can fire the GTT, releasing the limit order at what may be an aberrant price. Monitor active GTTs around results and events.
  • Quantity mismatch. For an OCO stop-loss, if you have sold part of your holding since creating the GTT, the triggered sell order may exceed your remaining holding, leading to a short delivery situation. Update or cancel the GTT when you reduce your holding.
  • Funds exhausted before trigger. If you use your funds for other trades after creating a buy GTT, the triggered limit order will be rejected. Maintain a buffer or add a funds reminder.

References

  1. Zerodha Support, Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders, support.zerodha.com.
  2. Zerodha Blog, Introducing GTT, Good Till Triggered orders on Kite, zerodha.com/z-connect.
  3. NSE India, Investor awareness: conditional orders, nseindia.com.
  4. SEBI, Framework for use of algorithmic or conditional order facility by retail investors, sebi.gov.in.

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