Options Trading Hours: Match the Class, Session and Expiration
There is no single trading schedule for all options. The exchange, class, series, holiday calendar and broker access determine when an order can execute. Cboe launched extended sessions for selected stock and ETF options on October 19, 2026. The schedules below use Eastern Time and were checked on October 20, 2026; verify the specific contract before relying on a cutoff.
Key Takeaways
- Regular hours for many equity options are 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET; designated ETFs such as SPY and QQQ have a regular session through 4:15 p.m.
- Selected Cboe equity classes now have a 7:30–9:25 a.m. session; eligible single-stock classes also have a 4:00–4:15 p.m. Curb session.
- Some index options have overnight sessions, but expiring SPXW contracts have their own cutoff.
- Last trading time, settlement-price observation and the broker’s exercise deadline are different events.
Regular Sessions and the New Equity Extension
The standard Cboe equity-options session is 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET. Designated ETF classes trading until 4:15 p.m. retain that interval as regular hours. The October 19 launch added an early session for selected names including SPY, QQQ, AAPL and NVDA. Eligible single-stock options have a separate afternoon Curb session. Availability at an exchange does not mean every broker enables those sessions.
SPY and QQQ: Do Not Confuse Trading With the Exercise Reference
The 4:15 p.m. regular close for these designated ETF classes is not limited to expiration Fridays. Cboe’s extended-hours FAQ also distinguishes expiring physically settled ETF options from expiring SPXW: the former can trade through 4:15 p.m., while expiring SPXW ordinarily stops at 4:00 p.m. The underlying’s 4:00 p.m. closing price is used for OCC’s in/out-of-the-money determination. Your broker can impose its own earlier handling or liquidation deadline.
Index Options and Other Markets
Cboe lists Global Trading Hours of 8:15 p.m.–9:25 a.m. ET for selected index classes, followed by regular and Curb sessions subject to product rules. SPX monthly AM-settled and SPXW PM-settled series differ, so use the series specification. Futures options follow the relevant CME product schedule with maintenance breaks and expiry exceptions. Digital-asset option schedules are venue-specific; do not infer uninterrupted trading or reliable liquidity from a 24/7 label.
Check Order Types, Holidays and Time Zones
Cboe’s new equity extended sessions accept limit orders rather than market, stop or stop-limit orders. Session eligibility on an order matters. Check the exchange holiday calendar and early closes, then convert Eastern Time using the date’s daylight-saving offset. Save the time zone with any alert or journal entry so an apparent timing discrepancy can be investigated.
Opening Hours Do Not Guarantee a Good Fill
Inspect current bid, ask, size and quote age for the actual contract. Spread behavior varies by event and market conditions; there is no supported universal “best hour” or daily 10–30% premium decline. A limit order can restrict price but may not execute. Market Insights activity can provide context, but a large print is not proof that a matching order will fill or that the participant’s direction is known.
Pineify is an information and strategy-building tool, not financial advice. Options trading carries substantial risk of loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do options open?
Many U.S. equity options have a 9:30 a.m. ET regular open. Selected Cboe classes also have a 7:30 a.m. early session; some index products trade overnight. Confirm broker access and contract eligibility.
Can SPY or QQQ options trade after 4:00 p.m.?
Their designated regular session generally continues through 4:15 p.m. ET, including expiring contracts under Cboe’s published FAQ. This is separate from the 4:00 p.m. underlying closing-price reference and broker-specific deadlines.
Do all stock options have extended hours?
No. The Cboe program covers selected classes, and broker support varies. The underlying stock’s extended session does not automatically give its options the same schedule.
When do 0DTE options stop trading?
The product and series determine the answer. Expiring SPXW ordinarily stops at 4:00 p.m. ET; designated physically settled ETFs can differ. Check the holiday schedule and broker closeout policy.
What is the best time to enter?
No universally best time is established. Compare the current contract’s liquidity, event exposure and available order types with the intended execution plan.