Definition

Option Open Interest

Meaning ⎊ The total count of active, unsettled option contracts, indicating market commitment and potential price targets.
Greeks.liveApril 1, 2026

Option Open Interest

Option open interest represents the total number of outstanding option contracts that have not been settled or exercised. It is a measure of the capital commitment to a specific strike price and expiration date.

High open interest suggests significant market activity and can act as a magnet for price movement as expiration approaches. Traders analyze open interest to gauge market conviction and identify key support and resistance levels created by the hedging needs of those holding these positions.

It is distinct from trading volume, which measures the activity over a specific period. Together, they provide a comprehensive view of the liquidity and positioning within the options market.

Option Expiration Cycles
Macaulay Duration
Circulating Supply
Risk Adjusted Discount Rate
Compound Interest
Initial Margin Ratio
Paper Profit
Money Market Equilibrium

Glossary

Open Interest

Interest ⎊ Open Interest, within the context of cryptocurrency derivatives, represents the total number of outstanding options contracts or futures contracts that have not yet been offset by an opposing transaction or exercised.