Your home for trading futures.
Whether you're new to futures or an experienced trader, Schwab offers around-the-clock access to a wide range of futures markets—from micros to crypto, metals, and more—plus the tools and support to help you take the next step.
Futures and futures options trading is provided by Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC.
How does futures trading work?
Futures trading involves contracts that let you agree to buy or sell an asset such as oil, gold, stock indexes, or interest rates at a fixed price on a set date in the future. These contracts are standardized and traded on regulated futures exchanges.
Because futures prices move with the market, traders use them in different ways. Some use futures to hedge risk, while others try to capture opportunity when prices rise or fall. As expiration approaches, traders can choose to close out positions early based on market conditions or strategy.
When trading futures, it's important to understand key concepts like margin, leverage, and settlement. These influence how positions are opened, managed, and closed.
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Our futures specialists are here to help.
Need help using our platforms or placing a trade? Want to talk through a futures trade idea?
Call us 24/5 at 877-656-8748 anytime between Sunday, 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 6:00 p.m. ET.
Futures FAQs
Schwab charges $2.25 per contract, per side, for futures and futures options trades. Additional exchange, regulatory, and overnight fees may apply depending on the product and trade activity and are subject to change.
Learn more about trading fees and commissions.
Futures trading can offer strategic advantages, including flexibility, diversification, and access to a wide range of asset classes like commodities, indexes, and interest rates. Because futures are leveraged, they require less capital upfront than buying the underlying asset, which can amplify gains.
However, leverage can also increase risk. Losses may exceed your initial investment, and markets can move quickly. Futures contracts have expiration dates, so timing matters. Futures and futures options trading are not suitable for all investors, and it's important to have a solid understanding of margin requirements, market volatility, and your overall risk tolerance before trading.
A futures broker connects approved traders to the futures markets, ensuring trades are routed to the exchange and comply with margin rules and regulatory requirements. Schwab clients who are approved to trade futures can place orders through Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC using our self-directed platforms. Support is also available to assist with platform navigation, order execution, and more.
Learn more about getting started with futures.
Futures contracts have set expiration dates, typically monthly or quarterly, depending on the product. Traders can hold a position until it expires, but some traders choose to close or roll their positions before expiration to avoid delivery or final cash settlement.
Please note: Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC doesn't allow clients to take physical delivery of a futures contract; contracts are cash-settled.
Ready to trade futures?
Not yet a Schwab client?
Open a brokerage account online, then go to the Getting Started page for next steps.
Already a client?
Use your eligible brokerage account to apply for a futures trading account.