What is an Options Expiration Calendar?
An options expiration calendar is a comprehensive tool that displays the dates when options contracts expire across different stocks and ETFs. Unlike stocks that can be held indefinitely, every options contract has a defined expiration date after which it becomes worthless. Our free Options Expiration Calendar pulls real-time data from the market to show you upcoming weekly, monthly, and quarterly expiration dates for popular tickers like AAPL, TSLA, SPY, QQQ, and more.
Understanding Options Expiration Types
- Weekly Expirations: Options that expire every Friday (except the third Friday). Weekly options provide short-term trading opportunities and are popular among day traders and swing traders.
- Monthly Expirations (Third Friday): The standard monthly options expiration occurs on the third Friday of each month. This is the most significant OPEX date and typically sees the highest volume and open interest.
- Quarterly Expirations: These occur on the last trading day of March, June, September, and December. When quarterly expiration coincides with the third Friday, it creates "triple witching" events with heightened volatility.
- LEAPS (Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities): Options with expiration dates more than one year out. LEAPS are used for long-term directional bets and hedging strategies.
How to Use This Options Expiration Calendar
- 1
Select Your Tickers
Choose from pre-loaded popular tickers (AAPL, TSLA, SPY, etc.) or add custom ticker symbols to track specific stocks and ETFs.
- 2
Filter by Expiration Type
Use the type filter to focus on weekly, monthly, quarterly, or LEAPS expirations depending on your trading strategy.
- 3
Navigate the Calendar
Browse through months to see all expiration dates. Color-coded badges indicate the type of expiration, and third-Friday monthly OPEX dates are highlighted with an indigo ring.
- 4
Click for Details
Click on any expiration date to see which tickers have contracts expiring, the total number of contracts, and the expiration type.
Why Track Options Expiration Dates?
Plan Your Trades
Know exactly when contracts expire so you can plan entries, exits, and rollovers ahead of time.
Manage Time Decay
Options lose value as expiration approaches. Track theta decay by knowing exactly how many days remain.
Anticipate Volatility
OPEX dates, especially third Fridays and triple witching, often bring increased market volatility and volume.