Overview

A ladder refers to a type of order book display that shows the order flow for a particular asset or security. It displays the buy and sell orders for the asset at different price levels, usually arranged in a vertical ladder-like format.

The ladder allows traders to view the supply and demand levels for the asset and to place orders directly on the displayed prices, rather than relying on market orders. This gives traders more control over their trading strategies, as they can set their desired prices and execute orders accordingly.

Ladders are commonly used in trading platforms for stocks, futures, and options, and are especially popular among day traders and scalpers who rely on quick and precise trades to capitalize on small price movements.