How do I trade X-Perps in Simple mode?
X-Perps in Simple mode lets you open a leveraged long or short position from the same Simple mode screen you use for spot trading. This article explains what X-Perps in Simple mode is, what you need before you can use them, and how to open, manage, and close a position.
What do I need to do before I start?
You must complete the following before you can trade X-Perps in Simple mode:
A verified OKX account with identity verification completed.
The appropriateness assessment: a short, regulator-required questionnaire that confirms you understand how leverage and margin work. You can't open any X-Perps positions, in Simple Mode or Exchange mode, until you pass this assessment.
Funds in your account that count as margin for the trade: The order screen shows the balance available to open the position, and the contract details show the currency that position settles in. If an asset you hold isn't counted in that balance, convert it into one that is, or open your X-Perps margin settings and check which of your assets are set to act as collateral. See What's Selected Margin
What is X-Perps in Simple mode?
X-Perps in Simple mode is an interface for trading X-Perps (Expiry Perps) using the Simple mode layout already used for spot trading, instead of the full order-book screen used in Exchange mode. Both modes trade the same underlying contract, with the same leverage cap of up to 10x. X-Perps in Simple mode include:
Long or short direction selection
Leverage up to 10x, with 3x applied by default
A locked entry price when opening a position, so there is no price slip when you open a position
An optional take-profit and stop-loss you can set at the same time you open the trade
Access to over 80 markets, including crypto, stocks, commodities, and ETFs
How do I open a position?
Open the OKX app and go to the Simple mode screen
Select the market you want to trade
Choose Long or Short
Set your leverage. This defaults to 3x; you can adjust it up to 10x
Review your locked entry price
(Optional) Set a take-profit and stop-loss level
Confirm the trade to open your position
Your position opens at the locked price shown in step 5. This price doesn't change between confirmation and execution.
How do I set a Take-Profit and Stop-Loss?
You can set take-profit (TP) and stop-loss (SL) levels when opening a position, or add or adjust them later from your open positions list.
From your open position, tap TP/SL
Enter your take-profit price, your stop-loss price, or both
Select Confirm
Your position closes automatically once the price reaches either level you set. Note that stop-losses may not fill at your chosen price in fast-moving markets.
How do I close a position?
Go to your open positions list
Select the position you want to close
Tap Close
Confirm at the locked closing price shown. OKX shows you your profit or loss directly. The price behind your trade is locked in advance, not picked up from a live, moving market.
You can close a position at any time during market hours. You don't need to wait for your take-profit or stop-loss to trigger.
How do I switch to Exchange mode?
If you want the full order book, manual margin mode selection, or live funding rate detail, you can switch out of Simple mode at any time.
Open the OKX app menu
Select Exchange mode
Your existing positions and account balance carry over; no new setup is required
Troubleshooting FAQ
I can't find X-Perps in Simple mode in the app?
Confirm you have completed identity verification and the appropriateness assessment. X-Perps in Simple mode isn't visible until both are complete.
Why won't my trade confirm?
Check the balance shown as available for margin on the order screen rather than your total holdings. An asset you hold isn't automatically counted as margin for this contract, and assets already supporting an open position aren't available for a new one. If the asset you hold isn't counted, convert it into one that is, or open your X-Perps margin settings and check which of your assets are selected as collateral.
I failed the appropriateness assessment. What now?
A cooldown period applies before you can retake it. Check the app for your specific retake date.
Why did my take-profit or stop-loss fail to trigger?
A take-profit or stop-loss order triggers on the trigger price type that was set on that order. When you set one, you select one price type — the last price, the mark price or the index price — and these can differ from each other for short periods. The chart shows the last traded price, so an order set to trigger on the mark price won't necessarily trigger at the moment the chart touches your level.
Before concluding that an order failed, check three things: which trigger price type the order used, whether that price actually reached the level you set, and whether the order is still in your order list, since an order that was cancelled won't trigger. For how the trigger price types differ, see How to set up take-profit and stop-loss.
A triggered stop-loss is submitted at the order price preset on it, so in a fast-moving market it may not fill at the price you chose.
Why did my stop-loss fill at a different price from the one I set?
When a stop-loss triggers, it's submitted as an order at the price preset on it, and it then fills against the prices available in the market at that moment. In a fast-moving market, the fill can be worse than the level you set. That difference is normal market behaviour rather than a fault, and how large it gets depends on how fast the price is moving and how deep the order book is when the order arrives.The same price difference costs different amounts on different positions. Your position size, the leverage behind it and the price you opened at all change what a given gap is worth in money, which is why two stop-losses placed the same distance from entry can produce very different losses.
Why does my balance show zero when I still hold funds?
Funds supporting an open position are held as margin and aren't available to open new orders, so the balance shown as available on the order screen can read zero while your holdings are unchanged. Open your positions list and check what's still open. Closing a position, or reducing its size, releases the margin behind it back to your available balance.
Why can't I find spot trading, margin trading or the trading bots?
Simple mode shows a reduced set of screens. The spot order book, the margin mode controls and the trading bots section are reached from Exchange mode. To get there, open the OKX app menu and select Exchange mode.The mode you're in also changes how you place a spot order. In Simple mode you buy and sell at the price shown to you. In Exchange mode you can set your own price with a limit order.