What is a fill-or-kill (FOK) order?

OKX Learn

Published on Nov 12, 2026

Updated on Nov 12, 2026

2 min read

Fill or kill (FOK) is an execution condition requiring the entire order to fill immediately or be canceled in full. It accepts no partial fill and leaves no unfilled quantity waiting for another opportunity. In crypto trading, FOK is often combined with a limit order.

How does FOK work?

After an order is submitted and passes the checks, the trading system checks whether eligible opposite-side orders can meet its entire quantity at acceptable prices. If they can do so immediately, the whole order fills; otherwise, the whole order is canceled.

Suppose a FOK limit buy order requests 10 units. If only 8 units can be bought immediately within the price limit, it does not buy those 8 first: nothing fills. If enough eligible quantity is available for all 10 units, it can execute. These quantities only illustrate the rule.

The quantity may come from several counterparties and price levels. The order does not have to match a single counterparty at one price. What matters is the orders actually available when matching occurs, not the quantity previously displayed before submission.

How does FOK differ from IOC?

IOC stands for immediate or cancel. It accepts an immediate partial fill and cancels the remaining quantity.

Using the same example of buying 10 units when only 8 can currently fill, IOC can fill 8 and cancel 2; FOK cancels the whole order. Neither leaves unfilled quantity waiting in the book. The difference is whether partial fills are accepted.

FOK specifies quantity and timing requirements; a limit specifies price. Neither substitutes for the other. Balance and other trading restrictions must also pass checks. Without an execution, no execution-based trading fee arises.

Explore market orders and post-only orders, or return to the crypto glossary.

References

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