Expiration Accuracy (Use Exact DTE)

Updated: September 20, 20252 min read

1. Overview

The Use Exact DTE setting in the Trade Template determines how precisely OptionsApp should account for the remaining time to expiry (DTE - Days to Expiry) of your selected options. It controls whether trades are opened only when the specified DTE is exactly available, or whether the app is allowed to fall back to the next higher DTE.

The Use Exact DTE function can be enabled and disabled in the Trade Template. By default, Use Exact DTE is enabled, so trades are only opened when the DTE matches exactly.

2. How it works

2.1 Use Exact DTE enabled

All legs defined in the Trade Template must have exactly the specified DTE.
If even one leg doesn't have an option with the desired DTE available, the entire trade will not be opened.
Example: A Calendar Spread with 10 DTE and 30 DTE will only be opened if exactly these two expirations are available in the respective option chains.

2.2 Use Exact DTE disabled

OptionsApp first tries to find the exact DTE. If this fails, it falls back to the next available longer option chain.
Example: If a leg in the template specifies 10 DTE and the next higher expiration is 12 DTE, that will be used instead.
Each DTE is checked and adjusted separately for each leg.

3. Practical tips

Especially with strategies like Calendar Spreads, the exact DTE is often critical. If Use Exact DTE is disabled, you might end up with a different trade that no longer matches your intended strategy.
With very short DTEs (e.g., 1 DTE), there may be no suitable contract available on a Friday. Without enabling "Use Exact DTE", a trade with 3 DTE could be opened instead.

4. Practical example

Use Exact DTE enabled: An SPX Calendar with 10 DTE and 30 DTE will only be executed if exactly these two expirations exist.
Use Exact DTE disabled: If you configure the same Calendar but only 11 DTE and 32 DTE are available as the next higher expirations, the app will open the trade with these DTEs since they're closest to your specifications.

5. User responsibility

This setting choice has direct impact on your strategy execution. Exact control over DTEs may be necessary to ensure your intended risk structure. You are responsible for enabling or disabling the Use Exact DTE option appropriately for your trade setup.