How do I open an Option Chain?

Instructions

Use the Option Chain to see all options on an underlying symbol. Select a call or put at a specific strike price, then create a Buy or Sell order on the option contract using the Order Ticket.

To access option chains

  1. From the left-side panel click the Quote icon.

  2. Click Option Chain along the top of the Quote page.

  3. Select an underlying from the Financial Instruments list on the left.

    The option chain option in IBKR Desktop

Display Features

Use drop-down selectors to show:

  • Puts and Calls, just Calls, or just Puts

  • Number of strikes shown for each expiration, and number of standard deviations

  • Option routing exchange

  • Option underlying (non-editable)

  • Strategy Builder: Toggle on to create multi-leg combination strategies.

  • Mirroring: By default, fields across Calls and Puts are: Bid, Ask, Last, Delta, Gamma, STRIKES Bid, Ask, Last, Delta, Gamma. You can choose to mirror:

    • all fields to show as: Gamma, Delta, Last, Ask, Bid STRIKES Bid, Ask, Last, Delta, Gamma

    • All except bid and ask to show as: Gamma, Delta, Last, Bid, Ask, STRIKES, Bid, Ask, Last, Delta, Gamma

  • Views:

    • Tabbed View shows all expiration dates as tabs along the top with options for only one expiry shown at a time.

    • List View shows all expirations as a list down the left side. Allows you to look at multiple groups of options expiries at the same time.

 

Additional Resources

Learn About the IBKR Desktop Option Chain at IBKR Campus

Visit the IBKR Desktop Website