Selling stock on E*TRADE means opening your account, finding the holding you want to sell, entering the number of shares and order type, reviewing the details, and submitting

The process takes about two minutes once you are logged in. E*TRADE walks you through each step, and the platform will not let you submit an order with missing information. You can sell during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays) for immediate execution, or place an order to sell at a specific price or time outside those hours.

The main decision you make is order type: whether to sell at the current market price (a market order), at a price you set (a limit order), or under other conditions. That choice affects when and whether your sale goes through. Everything else is following the form.

Key Takeaways

  • Market orders sell immediately at the current price during trading hours; limit orders sell only if the stock reaches the price you set.
  • You need to know the ticker symbol of the stock and how many shares you own before you start.
  • E*TRADE shows you the estimated proceeds (the money you will receive) before you confirm, so you can cancel if the price has moved.
  • Sold shares settle in two business days, meaning the cash appears in your account two days after the sale, not immediately.
  • You can cancel or change an order only before it executes; once filled, the sale is final.

Step 1: Log in and navigate to your positions

Open E*TRADE and sign in with your username and password. On the home page or dashboard, look for a link labeled "Positions," "Holdings," "My Accounts," or "Portfolio." Click it. You will see a list of every stock you own in that account, along with the number of shares, the price you paid, the current price, and your gain or loss.

If you have multiple accounts (a brokerage account, an IRA, a joint account), make sure you are looking at the right one. The account name appears at the top of the page or in a dropdown menu. Selling from the wrong account is a common mistake.

Step 2: Find the stock you want to sell and click the sell button

Scan the list until you find the stock. Click on the row or look for a "Sell" button next to the holding. Some versions of E*TRADE have a small menu icon (three dots or a down arrow) that you click first, then select "Sell" from the options. The exact layout varies depending on whether you are using the website or the mobile app, but there is always a sell option next to each holding.

E*TRADE will open a sell form. At the top, it will show you the ticker symbol, the company name, and the number of shares you own. This is your last chance to confirm you are selling the right stock.

Step 3: Enter the number of shares and choose your order type

In the "Quantity" field, type the number of shares you want to sell. You can sell all of them or just some. If you own 100 shares and type 30, you will sell 30 and keep 70.

Next, choose your order type. The two most common are:

  • Market order: Sells at the best available price right now. If you place it during market hours, it usually fills within seconds. The price you see on screen may change slightly by the time the order executes, especially for stocks that trade fast.
  • Limit order: Sells only if the stock reaches a price you set or higher. If the stock never reaches that price, the order stays open until you cancel it or it expires (usually at the end of the trading day, unless you set it to stay open longer). Limit orders give you control over price but no may provide the sale will happen.

E*TRADE may also offer other order types like "stop" orders (which trigger a market order if the price drops to a certain level) or "stop-limit" orders (which combine the two). For most people selling a single holding, market or limit is enough.

Step 4: Review the estimated proceeds and order details

Before you submit, E*TRADE shows you an order summary. It will display the number of shares, the order type, the price (or price range for a limit order), and most importantly, the estimated proceeds — the money you will receive after E*TRADE's commission. E*TRADE does not charge a commission on stock sales, so the proceeds are the share price times the number of shares, minus any applicable fees (which are rare for standard stock sales).

If you placed a market order, the estimated price is current but may shift slightly. If you placed a limit order, the estimated proceeds assume your limit price is hit. Check that the quantity and order type match what you intended. If something is wrong, click "Cancel" or "Back" and start over. Do not submit if you are unsure.

Step 5: Submit the order and confirm

Click the "Submit" or "Send Order" button. E*TRADE may ask you to confirm one more time, especially if you are using the website. Read the confirmation screen to make sure the details are correct, then click "Confirm" or "Yes." Your order is now live.

E*TRADE will show you a confirmation number and a summary of the order. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number in case you need to reference the trade later. The order will appear in your "Orders" or "Activity" section, where you can watch its status in real time.

What happens after you sell

If you placed a market order during market hours, it fills almost instantly. The stock disappears from your positions, and the cash appears in your account's cash balance. However, the money does not fully settle for two business days. This is called the settlement period, and it is set by the financial industry, not by E*TRADE. Until settlement is complete, you cannot withdraw the cash, but you can use it to buy other stocks immediately.

If you placed a limit order, it may fill later or not at all. E*TRADE will notify you by email or in-app message when the order fills. If the stock never reaches your limit price, the order expires at the end of the trading day (or at a time you set) and the shares remain in your account unsold.

You can cancel an order only before it executes. Once it fills, the sale is final and cannot be undone. If you want to own the stock again, you have to buy it back as a new transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell a stock for a specific price instead of the current market price?

Yes, by placing a limit order. You set the price, and E*TRADE sells only if the stock reaches that price or higher. The trade-off is that the sale may not happen if the price does not reach your target. Limit orders are useful if you want to avoid selling at a moment when the price has dropped temporarily.

What if I change my mind after I submit the order?

If the order has not yet filled, you can cancel it. Go to your "Orders" or "Activity" section, find the pending order, and click "Cancel." Once the order fills (the stock is sold), you cannot undo it. You would have to buy the stock back separately if you want to own it again.

When can I use the money from the sale?

The cash appears in your account immediately after the sale fills, but it does not fully settle for two business days. You can use it to buy other stocks right away, but you cannot withdraw it to your bank account until settlement is complete. E*TRADE will tell you the settlement date when you sell.

Do I have to pay a commission to sell stock on E*TRADE?

No. E*TRADE does not charge a commission on stock sales. You pay only the bid-ask spread (the tiny difference between the price you sell at and the price someone else buys at), which is built into the market price and is not a separate fee.

What is the difference between a market order and a limit order?

A market order sells immediately at the current price, usually within seconds during market hours. A limit order sells only if the stock reaches a price you set. Market orders may provide the sale happens fast; limit orders may provide the price but not the timing or certainty of the sale.