How to set a buy limit

A buy limit is an instruction to automatically buy an investment when it reaches a certain price. Here’s how to set one up. 

On this page

Before you start

Hargreaves Lansdown cannot guarantee that your buy limit will be executed, even if the investment price reaches the price you’ve set. If you are not comfortable with this, you should not use this service. As share prices change in seconds, we do not accept any liability for any loss or potential loss you may suffer if there is a delay in executing, or failure to execute, a limit order.

How to set a buy limit on the website

  1. Log in online to see your accounts. 
  2. Select the account you want to hold the investment.  
  3. Select ‘Deal now’.  
  4. Enter the name of the investment you want to buy.  
  5. Select the green arrow next to the relevant investment. 
  6. Select ‘Stop loss & limit orders’, then select ‘Buy limit’. 
  7. Enter the number of units you want to buy at a certain price. 
  8. Enter the price you want to buy at. 
  9. Select when the buy limit expires. You can choose any time period up to and including 90 days. 
  10. Read the terms and conditions of the limit order service, and the risks involved.  
  11. If you agree, select ‘Place buy limit’ to confirm.
Set a buy limit online

How to set a buy limit on the mobile app

  1. Select 'Accounts' in the bottom left corner. 
  2. Log in. 
  3. Select the account you want to hold the investment. 
  4. Select ‘Deal’. 
  5. Enter the name of the investment you want to buy and select it from the list. 
  6. Select ‘create a stop loss or limit order’. 
  7. Select ‘Create limit to buy’.  
  8. Enter the price you want to buy at and select ‘Continue’. 
  9. Enter the number of units you want to buy at that price and select ‘Continue’. 
  10. Select when the buy limit expires. You can choose any time period up to and including 90 days. 
  11. Read the terms and conditions of the limit order service, and the risks involved.  
  12. If you agree, select ‘Place limit to buy’ to confirm.

What happens next

You can view your buy limit in the Pending Orders section after logging in online and cancel it while the status is still ‘Pending’. 

We will attempt to buy your chosen investments when the value reaches the price you’ve set. 

If this is successful, you will be able to find a contract note in your accounts when this happens.

Also in Shares, investment trusts and ETFs

Common queries

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