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4

ATM, ITM, OTM

Understanding where your option stands relative to the current market price.

What Do These Mean?

ITM

In The Money

The option already has value. If you exercised it right now, you'd get something.

ATM

At The Money

Strike price equals current price. Right at the boundary.

OTM

Out of The Money

No value right now. The market hasn't reached your strike yet.

Call Options (Current Price = 24,200)

For Call options: strike below market = ITM, strike at market = ATM, strike above market = OTM

23900 CE
Strike: 23900ITM
24200 CE
Strike: 24200ATM
24500 CE
Strike: 24500OTM
Put Options (Current Price = 24,200)

For Put options: strike above market = ITM, strike at market = ATM, strike below market = OTM

24500 PE
Strike: 24500ITM
24200 PE
Strike: 24200ATM
23900 PE
Strike: 23900OTM
Visual Price Ladder
23,700
Call: ITM | Put: OTM
23,800
Call: ITM | Put: OTM
23,900
Call: ITM | Put: OTM
24,000
Call: ITM | Put: OTM
24,100
Call: ITM | Put: OTM
24,200
← Current Price
24,300
Call: OTM | Put: ITM
24,400
Call: OTM | Put: ITM
24,500
Call: OTM | Put: ITM
24,600
Call: OTM | Put: ITM
24,700
Call: OTM | Put: ITM
Why Does This Matter?

ITM options are more expensive because they already have value.

OTM options are cheaper because the market hasn't reached the strike yet — they might expire worthless.

ATM options are in the middle — they have the highest "time value" and are the most commonly traded.