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GlossaryPricing & settlement

Time to expiry

The remaining duration between contract acceptance and final evaluation. It provides a common way to compare countdown and exact-clock expiry controls.

Binary options glossary definition visual
Direct answer

Where this term appears

Look for this term around the chart, strike or barrier controls, payout display, order confirmation, result history, or contract specification. The recorded value should be understandable before an order is confirmed.

Use the definition above together with the exact value, condition, timestamp, account, product, or payment context shown by the broker.

Do not confuse

How Time to expiry differs from related terms

Time to expiry is often researched beside Clock expiry and Expiry countdown and Expiry cutoff. The labels can appear in the same workflow, but they do not describe the same field or condition.

01
Clock expiry

An expiry control that sets an exact settlement time, such as 16:30:00, instead of a relative countdown.

02
Expiry countdown

The platform display showing the time remaining until a contract expires. A synchronized countdown is especially important for short-duration contracts.

03
Expiry cutoff

The final moment at which a contract can be opened or modified before settlement. This can differ from the displayed expiry time.

Practical use

Build a timeline instead of relying on a countdown label

Time to expiry means the remaining duration between contract acceptance and final evaluation. It provides a common way to compare countdown and exact-clock expiry controls. Timing terms can refer to client submission, server acceptance, entry tick, order cutoff, observation start, expiry, settlement, or market session. Each event needs a timestamp and timezone.

A neutral example

Record all available events in UTC, calculate acceptance latency, accepted duration, and settlement lag, then note daylight-saving, holiday, weekend, maintenance, and event-window effects.

01
Clock basis

Timer or fixed clock, timezone, daylight-saving rule, and start event.

02
Event chain

Submission, acceptance, entry, cutoff, expiry, and settlement timestamps.

03
Schedule

Asset session, holiday calendar, interruption, and restart policy.

In a broker review

How to use Time to expiry in a comparison

Record the moment an order is accepted, the timer or clock expiry, and the final settlement timestamp. A countdown on its own does not establish the complete timing rule.

Comparison context

Why it matters when comparing brokers

How to use this term

Pricing and settlement terms determine what the platform records, when the result is evaluated, and how the return is calculated. Small differences can change whether two displayed offers are genuinely comparable.

What it does not prove

A high displayed percentage or precise chart does not by itself establish a fair settlement process. The source, timestamp, quote side, cutoff, and exception rules still matter.

Broker checklist

What to verify

Check these points on the broker's product screen, account flow, terms, or help pages.

01
Displayed basis

Check whether the figure is gross return, net profit, refund, or another calculation.

02
Timestamp

Compare entry, cutoff, observation, and settlement times using the same time basis.

03
Price rule

Confirm whether bid, ask, midpoint, last price, or another quote determines the result.

04
Exceptions

Read tie, void, rejection, requote, outage, and correction rules.

Quick answers

Common questions

Short answers for users comparing binary options brokers and account conditions.

What is Time to expiry commonly compared with?

Time to expiry is commonly compared with Clock expiry. Clock expiry means: An expiry control that sets an exact settlement time, such as 16:30:00, instead of a relative countdown.

Why does this term matter when comparing brokers?

Pricing and settlement terms determine what the platform records, when the result is evaluated, and how the return is calculated. Small differences can change whether two displayed offers are genuinely comparable.

What should I check when comparing this feature?

A high displayed percentage or precise chart does not by itself establish a fair settlement process. The source, timestamp, quote side, cutoff, and exception rules still matter. Check the broker's definition, applicable terms, and account or product screen before relying on the label.