Selling stock on Robinhood takes three steps: open the stock detail page, tap the sell button, and confirm the order

To sell a stock you own on Robinhood, find the stock in your portfolio, tap or click the sell icon (usually a downward arrow or "Sell" button), enter how many shares you want to sell, review the price and total, and confirm. The order executes immediately during market hours or queues for the next market open if you sell after hours. Your cash appears in your Robinhood account right away, though it may take one to two business days to transfer to your bank if you withdraw it.

The process is the same whether you use the mobile app or the web version. Robinhood does not charge commission on stock sales, so you keep the full proceeds minus any taxes you owe on gains.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your portfolio, select the stock, and tap "Sell" to start an order; you can sell a partial position or all your shares.
  • Orders placed during market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday) execute at the current market price.
  • Orders placed after hours queue for the next market open and may execute at a different price than you see on screen.
  • Cash from a sale lands in your Robinhood account immediately but takes one to two business days to reach your bank.
  • You are responsible for tracking and reporting any capital gains to the IRS; Robinhood sends you a tax document at year-end.

How to find and open a stock you own

On the Robinhood app, tap the "Account" or "Portfolio" tab at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of all positions you currently hold. Tap the stock name or ticker symbol to open its detail page. On the web version, click "Investing" or "Portfolio" in the left menu, then click the stock you want to sell.

If you own fractional shares (less than one full share), you can sell them the same way. Robinhood will let you enter a decimal amount, like 2.5 shares, and sell that exact quantity.

Entering your sell order

Once you are on the stock detail page, look for a "Sell" button or icon. On the app, it is usually at the bottom of the screen or marked with a downward arrow. Tap or click it to open the sell order form.

Enter the number of shares you want to sell. You can sell anywhere from a fraction of a share up to your entire position. Robinhood will show you the current bid price (the price a buyer is offering right now) and calculate the total proceeds. Review this number carefully — it is not locked in until you confirm.

If you are selling during market hours, the price shown is live and your order will execute at or near that price. If you are selling after hours or before the market opens, the price is an estimate only, and your actual sale price may be different when the market opens.

Understanding order types and timing

Robinhood defaults to a market order, which means your stock sells at whatever price the market is offering when your order reaches the exchange. This is the fastest way to sell and is what most people use. Your order executes within seconds during market hours.

If you want to sell only if the price reaches a certain level, you can set a limit order. This tells Robinhood to sell only if someone is willing to pay your price or higher. Limit orders may not fill if the stock never reaches your target price, so you could end up holding the stock longer than you expected.

Orders placed between 4 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. Eastern are held until the market opens. Your order will execute at the opening price or shortly after, depending on how many other orders are ahead of yours. The price you see on screen is not may provide.

Confirming and tracking your sale

After you enter the number of shares and review the price, tap or click "Confirm" or "Submit Order" to complete the sale. Robinhood will show you an order confirmation with the execution price, the number of shares sold, and the total proceeds. Take a screenshot or note the order number in case you need to reference it later.

The cash from your sale appears in your Robinhood account balance immediately. You can use it to buy other stocks right away, or you can leave it sitting in your account. If you want to move the money to your bank, go to your account settings, select "Transfer," and choose "Withdraw." The transfer takes one to two business days.

What happens to your cost basis and taxes

When you sell a stock for more than you paid for it, you have a capital gain. When you sell for less, you have a capital loss. Robinhood tracks your cost basis (the price you paid) automatically, but you are responsible for reporting gains and losses to the IRS on your tax return.

At the end of each calendar year, Robinhood sends you a Form 1099-B showing all your sales and the proceeds. Your tax software or accountant will use this to calculate your tax liability. If you sold within a year of buying, it is a short-term gain (taxed as ordinary income). If you held longer than a year, it is a long-term gain (usually taxed at a lower rate).

Robinhood does not withhold taxes from your proceeds, so you may owe money at tax time even though you have not received a bill. Plan ahead if you made large gains.

Common reasons a sale might not go through

If your order is rejected, the most common reason is insufficient shares. Make sure you are not trying to sell more shares than you own. Fractional shares count, so if you own 10.25 shares and try to sell 11, the order will fail.

Orders can also be rejected if the stock is halted (the SEC stops trading temporarily due to news or volatility), if the market is closed and you did not place a pre-market order, or if there is a technical issue with Robinhood's systems. If your order fails, Robinhood will show an error message explaining why. Try again or contact Robinhood support if the problem persists.

Some stocks are restricted on Robinhood, meaning you cannot sell them. This is rare and usually applies to very small or delisted companies. If you own a restricted stock, Robinhood will tell you when you try to sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell stock after the market closes?

Yes, you can place an order, but it will not execute until the market opens the next day. The price you see on screen is an estimate. Your actual sale price may be higher or lower depending on where the stock opens and how many other orders are ahead of yours.

Do I pay a commission when I sell on Robinhood?

No. Robinhood does not charge commission on stock sales. You keep the full proceeds minus any taxes owed on gains. Some other brokers charge per trade, but Robinhood does not.

How long does it take for the money to hit my bank account?

The cash appears in your Robinhood account immediately after the sale. If you withdraw it to your bank, the transfer takes one to two business days. Weekends and holidays may add extra time.

What if I sell at a loss?

You can report the loss on your tax return to offset other gains or up to $3,000 of ordinary income in a single year. Losses beyond that carry forward to future years. Robinhood tracks this on your 1099-B, but your tax software or accountant will help you use it correctly.

Can I cancel a sell order after I place it?

If your order has not executed yet, you can cancel it. During market hours, orders execute so fast that cancellation is usually not possible. After hours, you have a window to cancel before the market opens. Check your "Orders" or "Activity" tab to see if the order is still pending.