What is latency in trading?
Latency in trading refers to the delay between when a trader places an order and when that order is actually executed on the exchange. Even small delays—measured in milliseconds—can significantly affect the outcome of trades, especially during volatile market conditions or for high-frequency strategies.
What causes latency?
- Internet/network speed: Slower connections increase the time it takes to send and receive order data.
- Server performance: If the trading platform’s or broker’s server is overloaded or inefficient, order processing is delayed.
- Exchange processing time: Each exchange has its own systems that introduce some processing lag.
- Geographical distance: Orders may take longer to reach exchanges if routed through data centres far from the trader’s location.
Example of latency in action
Imagine Mr. A places a market order to buy 100 shares of ABC Ltd. at ₹100 per share at exactly 10:00:00 am. Due to latency, the order reaches the exchange at 10:00:02 am. In that 2-second gap, the price rises to ₹100.05 per share. Mr. A ends up paying ₹10,005 instead of ₹10,000—a ₹5 difference purely caused by latency.
What if...
Scenario | What you should know |
---|
You are using a mobile network or slow internet | You may experience higher latency; switch to high-speed broadband or wired connections. |
You're trading during peak market hours | Exchanges and brokers experience heavier loads, which may introduce temporary latency. |
You rely on algo or scalping strategies | Even small latency differences can materially impact your trade outcomes. |
Last updated: 19 Jun 2025
Related Articles
What does latency mean in trading?
In trading, latency refers to the time delay between the moment a trader places an order and when that order is executed on the exchange. This delay can be due to various factors including internet speeds, processing times, and system performance. ...
Why is latency important in trading?
Latency plays a crucial role in trading because it determines how quickly your orders are executed in a fast-moving market. The lower the latency, the quicker your order reaches the exchange—giving you a better chance to trade at your intended price ...
How does FYERS ensure low latency for its customers?
At FYERS, we are committed to providing a seamless and responsive trading experience. Minimising latency is central to that goal. We use advanced infrastructure, optimised systems, and real-time performance enhancements to ensure fast, reliable order ...
What is the latency in FYERS for order placements?
At FYERS, order placement latency is optimised to be under 50 milliseconds, providing a fast and reliable trading experience across both retail and algorithmic trading environments. This ensures that your orders reach the exchange quickly, reducing ...
How does futures trading work?
Futures trading allows investors to take positions on the future price movement of an asset without paying the full contract value upfront. Instead, you pay a margin—typically a small percentage of the contract’s value—which gives you leveraged ...