What Is Slippage in Forex Trading?

Definition

The difference between the price you expected when placing an order and the price at which it was actually filled.

Updated 1 Oct 2026

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Why slippage happens

Prices can move between the moment you click and the moment your order reaches the market, especially during news releases, at market open after a weekend, or in thinly traded pairs. Slippage can be negative (a worse price) or positive (a better price).

Reducing slippage

Avoid trading in the seconds around major news, prefer liquid pairs, and be aware that stop-loss orders can slip in fast markets.

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Related terms

Stop loss: An order that automatically closes a trade at a set price to limit your loss if the market moves against you.
Liquidity: How easily something can be bought or sold without moving its price. The more buyers and sellers, the more liquid the market.
Volatility: How much and how quickly a price moves. Highly volatile markets move further in less time, which raises both opportunity and risk.

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Why slippage happens

Reducing slippage

Related terms

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