How to Trade Options: Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to trade options step-by-step. This complete guide covers everything from basic concepts to advanced strategies, with real examples and free tools to practice.
TL;DR - Quick Answer
To trade options: Learn the basics (calls vs puts), understand the Greeks (Delta, Theta, Vega), choose a strategy that matches your market outlook, use our free calculator to analyze risk/reward, and start with paper trading before risking real money. Begin with simple strategies like covered calls or vertical spreads.
📚 Table of Contents
What Are Options?
Options are contracts that give you the right (but not obligation) to buy or sell a stock at a specific price before a certain date. Think of them as insurance policies or agreements with flexibility.
Simple Example
Imagine Apple (AAPL) is trading at $180. You think it'll go to $200, but you don't want to buy 100 shares for $18,000. Instead, you can buy a call option for $500 that gives you the right to buy AAPL at $185 anytime in the next 30 days.
If AAPL goes to $200, your option is worth $1,500 (profit: $1,000). If it stays at $180, you lose the $500 premium. That's options trading in a nutshell.
Calls vs Puts: The Two Types of Options
📈 Call Options
A call gives you the right to BUY a stock at a specific price. Buy calls when you're bullish (expect price to go up).
When to buy: You think the stock will rise
Max profit: Unlimited (stock can go to infinity)
Max loss: Limited to premium paid
Example: Buy TSLA $250 call for $10. If TSLA hits $270, your option is worth $20 (100% gain)
📉 Put Options
A put gives you the right to SELL a stock at a specific price. Buy puts when you're bearish (expect price to drop).
When to buy: You think the stock will fall
Max profit: Limited (stock can only go to $0)
Max loss: Limited to premium paid
Example: Buy SPY $450 put for $8. If SPY falls to $430, your option is worth $20 (150% gain)
Key Options Trading Terms You Must Know
Strike Price
The price at which you can buy (call) or sell (put) the stock. Example: $180 strike call.
Expiration Date
The date when the option contract expires. After this date, the option is worthless if not exercised.
Premium
The price you pay to buy an option. Example: $5 premium = $500 total (options control 100 shares).
In-the-Money (ITM)
Option has intrinsic value. Call: stock above strike. Put: stock below strike.
Out-of-the-Money (OTM)
Option has no intrinsic value. Call: stock below strike. Put: stock above strike.
At-the-Money (ATM)
Strike price equals (or very close to) current stock price.
Intrinsic Value
The real value of an option if exercised now. Stock at $190, $185 call = $5 intrinsic value.
Time Value
Extra premium above intrinsic value. Decays as expiration approaches (Theta decay).
Understanding the Greeks (Critical!)
The "Greeks" measure how your option's value changes with different factors. You MUST understand these to trade options successfully.
Delta (Δ)
Directional RiskWhat it means: How much the option price changes when the stock moves $1.
Range: Calls: 0 to 1.0 | Puts: 0 to -1.0
Example: A call with 0.50 Delta gains $0.50 when the stock rises $1. If you own 10 contracts, you make $500 per $1 stock move.
Theta (Θ)
Time DecayWhat it means: How much value your option loses each day due to time passing.
Important: Theta accelerates as expiration approaches. Options lose value fastest in the last 30 days.
Example: Theta of -0.10 means your option loses $10/day in value (per contract). This is why option buyers need the stock to move FAST.
Vega (ν)
Volatility RiskWhat it means: How much the option price changes when implied volatility (IV) changes by 1%.
Key insight: High IV = expensive options. Buy when IV is low, sell when IV is high.
Example: Vega of 0.20 means if IV rises from 30% to 31%, your option gains $0.20 per share ($20 per contract).
Gamma (Γ)
Delta AccelerationWhat it means: How much Delta changes when the stock moves $1.
Example: Delta is 0.50, Gamma is 0.05. If stock rises $1, your new Delta is 0.55. High Gamma = bigger swings in your P&L as the stock moves.
How to Start Trading Options (Step-by-Step)
Open a Brokerage Account with Options Approval
Choose a broker (TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Interactive Brokers, etc.) and apply for options trading. You'll be assigned a level (1-5) based on experience. Level 1 = covered calls, Level 2 = buying options, etc.
Tip: Start with Level 1 or 2 if you're a beginner. You can request higher levels as you gain experience.
Fund Your Account
Deposit at least $2,000-$5,000 to start. You CAN start with less, but you'll have limited strategies and higher risk if you can't properly diversify.
Tip: Never deposit money you can't afford to lose. Options are risky, especially when you're learning.
Practice with Paper Trading First
Use ApexVol's free simulator or your broker's paper trading to practice without risk. Test different strategies, learn how the Greeks work, and make mistakes without losing real money.
Start with Simple Strategies
Don't jump into complex strategies. Start with:
- Covered Calls (if you own stock)
- Cash-Secured Puts
- Long Calls/Puts (small position sizes)
- Vertical Spreads (defined risk)
Start Small and Track Everything
Your first 10 trades should be TINY. Risk only $100-500 per trade to learn. Keep a trading journal: What was your thesis? What went right/wrong? How did the Greeks behave?
Tip: Most beginners lose money at first. That's OK and expected. The goal is to learn cheaply.
Beginner-Friendly Options Strategies
1. Covered Call (Easiest)
When to use: You own 100 shares and want to generate income.
How it works: Sell a call option against your shares. You collect premium and keep it if the stock stays flat or rises moderately.
Risk: Stock is called away if it rises above strike. But you keep the premium!
Learn More →2. Cash-Secured Put
When to use: You want to buy a stock but at a lower price.
How it works: Sell a put and set aside cash to buy the stock if assigned. You get paid to potentially buy stock at your target price.
Risk: You must buy the stock if it falls below strike. Make sure you actually want to own it!
Learn More →3. Bull Put Spread (Defined Risk)
When to use: You're moderately bullish and want limited risk.
How it works: Sell a put, buy a lower put. Collect premium with your max loss capped by the long put.
Risk: Limited to the width of the spread minus premium collected.
Learn More →4. Long Call (Speculative)
When to use: You're very bullish and want leveraged exposure.
How it works: Buy a call option. If stock rises, your call value increases. You control 100 shares for a fraction of the cost.
Risk: You can lose 100% of premium if stock doesn't move enough or fast enough (Theta decay).
Learn More →Risk Management Rules (Follow These!)
⚠️ Critical Rules for Options Trading
If you have $10,000, don't risk more than $100-200 on any single position. This keeps you alive during losing streaks.
Theta decay accelerates in the last 30 days. Give yourself time - buy options 60-90 days out minimum.
If you can't explain the strategy and its risks in simple terms, don't trade it. Use our calculator to visualize P&L before entering.
Know your profit target, stop loss, and max loss before clicking buy. Emotional trading kills accounts.
Unlimited risk strategies can blow up your account. Stick to defined-risk strategies (spreads) until you're experienced.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
❌ Mistake #1: Ignoring Time Decay
Buying options and holding them while Theta eats away value every day.
Solution: Check Theta before buying. If you're holding, the stock needs to move FAST to overcome decay.
❌ Mistake #2: Trading Earnings Without Understanding IV Crush
Buying calls before earnings, stock moves in your favor, but you still lose money because IV crashed.
Solution: Check IV percentile. If it's >70%, expect IV crush after earnings regardless of direction.
❌ Mistake #3: Position Sizing Too Large
Putting 20-30% of account into one trade because "I'm really confident this time."
Solution: Stick to 1-2% risk per trade ALWAYS. Confidence doesn't matter - anything can happen.
❌ Mistake #4: Not Using a Calculator
Entering trades without knowing max loss, breakeven, or Greeks.
Solution: Always use our free calculator to visualize the trade BEFORE entering. Know your numbers.
❌ Mistake #5: Chasing Losses
Losing on a trade and immediately doubling position size to "make it back."
Solution: Take a break after losses. Stick to your position sizing rules no matter what.
❌ Mistake #6: Trading Illiquid Options
Buying options with wide bid-ask spreads and low volume. Hard to exit at fair price.
Solution: Look for volume >100 and bid-ask spread <10% of option price.
Ready to Practice Options Trading?
Use our free demo to practice with real AAPL data. Test strategies, see how Greeks work, and learn risk-free.