Float is in the Account menu, not the main trading interface
Float on WeBull is a buying power metric that shows how much cash you have available to trade with right now, without waiting for a settlement period. It sits in your Account section under "Buying Power" or "Account Details," depending on whether you're on mobile or desktop. You won't see it as a separate tab or button on the main trading screen — you have to look in your account settings to find the number.
The reason float matters is that it tells you the difference between your total cash and your settled cash. When you sell a stock, the money doesn't land in your account immediately. WeBull holds it for a settlement period (usually two business days), and during that time you can't spend it. Float is the cash that's already settled and ready to use for your next trade.
On the WeBull mobile app, tap the Account icon at the bottom, then look for "Buying Power" or "Account Details." On desktop, go to Account in the top menu, then select "Account Details" or "Buying Power." The float number appears alongside your total buying power and your settled cash balance.
Key Takeaways
- Float is your settled cash — money that has completed the two-business-day settlement period and is ready to trade with immediately.
- You find float in your Account section under Buying Power or Account Details, not on the main trading dashboard.
- Float differs from total buying power because buying power includes margin or unsettled funds, while float is only cash you can use right now.
- If you sell a stock today, that money won't count toward your float until two business days later, when settlement completes.
How float differs from buying power
WeBull shows you three separate numbers: total cash, settled cash (float), and buying power. Many traders confuse these because they sound like the same thing. They are not.
Total cash is every dollar in your account, including money from sales that haven't settled yet. Float is only the cash that has fully settled and is available to trade with today. Buying power is the total amount you can spend, which includes float plus any margin your account allows. If you have a margin account, your buying power will be higher than your float because the broker is lending you money.
For example: you sell a stock for $1,000 today. Your total cash goes up by $1,000, but your float does not change until two business days pass. Your buying power might increase immediately if you have margin enabled, because WeBull counts the unsettled funds as collateral. But you cannot actually spend that $1,000 until settlement is complete.
Why WeBull separates float from other cash
The separation exists because of settlement rules set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and enforced by your broker. When you sell a security, the buyer's money doesn't arrive at WeBull instantly. The trade settles over two business days (called T+2 settlement). During that time, the cash is in transit and not yet yours to use.
If WeBull let you trade with unsettled funds, you could end up spending money that never arrives — for instance, if the buyer's bank fails or the trade reverses. To prevent that risk, brokers lock unsettled cash and only let you trade with float. Some brokers call this "settled cash" or "available cash" instead of float, but the concept is the same.
Day traders and active traders watch float closely because it determines how many trades they can make in a single day. If your float is low, you may run out of cash to buy before the market closes, even if your buying power looks higher.
How to increase your float
Float grows in two ways: by depositing new money into your account, or by waiting for your existing sales to settle. There is no way to speed up settlement — it always takes two business days from the trade date, and weekends and market holidays don't count as business days.
If you sold a stock on a Monday, settlement completes on Wednesday. If you sold on a Friday, settlement completes on Tuesday (because Saturday and Sunday don't count). Once settlement is complete, that cash moves from "unsettled" into your float and becomes available to trade with immediately.
Depositing cash is the only way to increase float before settlement happens. WeBull offers several deposit methods — bank transfer, wire transfer, and debit card — and the speed depends on the method. Bank transfers typically take one to three business days to appear in your account.
What happens if you trade with more than your float
If you attempt to buy more stock than your float allows, WeBull will reject the order. You cannot spend float you don't have, even if your buying power is higher. The system prevents the trade from going through rather than letting you overdraft.
However, if you have a margin account, you can trade with your full buying power (which includes borrowed money), and that trade will go through. The catch is that you then owe interest on the borrowed amount, and if your account value drops, WeBull may issue a margin call and force you to deposit more money or sell positions to bring your account back into compliance.
To avoid confusion, check your float before placing a large order. If you're unsure whether you have enough settled cash, look at the float number in your Account Details rather than relying on buying power.
Float on margin accounts versus cash accounts
The behavior of float is slightly different depending on your account type. On a cash account, you can only trade with float — you cannot borrow money from WeBull. Your buying power equals your float. On a margin account, your buying power is higher than your float because WeBull lends you money, but you still cannot trade with unsettled cash until settlement completes.
Most WeBull users have margin accounts, which allow them to trade with more money than they have deposited. The tradeoff is that unsettled funds don't count toward your float, and you pay interest on borrowed money. If you want to trade only with cash you own, you can request a cash account, but this limits your buying power and may restrict certain trading strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does float include money from dividends or interest?
Yes. Dividends and interest are credited directly to your account as settled cash, so they appear in your float immediately. Unlike stock sales, they don't require a settlement period.
If I deposit money today, when does it count toward my float?
Deposit timing depends on the method. Bank transfers typically take one to three business days. Wire transfers are faster, often one business day. Debit card deposits may be instant or take up to one business day. Check WeBull's deposit page for the current timing for your method.
Can I see a history of when my sales will settle?
WeBull shows settlement dates in your transaction history or order history. Look for the trade date and add two business days to find the settlement date. Some brokers display a "settled" or "unsettled" label next to each transaction.
What if I sell a stock but the buyer cancels the trade?
Cancelled trades don't settle, so the cash never enters your account. The sale is reversed and the stock returns to your holdings. Your float remains unchanged.
Does float reset at the end of each trading day?
No. Float is a running balance that updates whenever a trade settles or new money arrives. It doesn't reset daily. However, if you place a trade during market hours, that trade won't settle until two business days later, so your float won't change until then.