Robinhood buying power is the amount currently available to purchase stocks, ETFs, options, futures or crypto. You do not move it into a separate wallet. Instead, choose an investment, enter an order within the available amount and submit the trade.

Robinhood shows your buying power under Account → Buying power. Stock and options trades generally settle in one trading day, but the timing and available balance depend on your account type and the source of the funds.

How to Use Buying Power to Buy a Stock on Robinhood

To use buying power for a stock or ETF, open the investment and submit an order for an amount within the limit shown by Robinhood.

  1. Open the Robinhood app.
  2. Search for the stock or ETF.
  3. Open the investment's detail page.
  4. Select Trade → Buy.
  5. Choose Dollars or Shares.
  6. Enter an amount that does not exceed your available buying power.
  7. Review the order details.
  8. Swipe up to submit the order.

Robinhood normally uses available cash first. If you have margin investing enabled and your cash is fully invested, Robinhood may use margin. That means borrowing against eligible securities in your account.

What the Different Robinhood Buying Power Amounts Mean

Robinhood can show different types of buying power depending on your account and the source of the funds.

Buying Power Type What It Means Important Limitation
Cash buying power Money available to purchase investments using your own funds Cash accounts generally cannot reuse stock or options sale proceeds until those funds settle
Margin buying power Cash plus the amount Robinhood allows you to borrow Borrowing creates interest charges and margin call risk
Instant Deposit buying power Part of a pending bank deposit that Robinhood makes available before the transfer finishes The transfer can still take up to five business days, and access is not guaranteed
Crypto buying power Funds available in your Robinhood Crypto account Crypto and securities use separate Robinhood accounts

Margin accounts can generally trade with proceeds from unsettled stock and options sales. Cash accounts must usually wait for settlement.

How to Check Your Buying Power

You can check your buying power in the Robinhood app:

  1. Select the Account icon.
  2. Open the menu.
  3. Select Investing.
  4. Select Buying power.

The screen shows the amount available for purchases. If margin investing is enabled, it may also show margin used, available margin and other margin information.

Can You Use Buying Power to Buy Stocks and ETFs?

Yes. You can use available buying power to place stock and ETF orders.

During regular market hours, Robinhood generally processes dollar-based and share-based stock orders as market orders unless you choose another order type. A market order can execute at a price different from the last traded price.

The amount available for one security can be lower than your total account buying power. Robinhood may apply a different limit because of the security's volatility, your portfolio concentration or the margin requirement for that investment.

Can You Use Buying Power to Trade Options?

You may be able to use buying power for options if Robinhood has approved your account for options trading.

Robinhood may restrict options purchases made with Instant Deposit funds until the deposit becomes available. Options can also require extra buying power for exercises, assignments or multi-leg strategies.

Check the estimated cost and the buying-power effect on the order-review screen before submitting an options trade.

Can You Withdraw Robinhood Buying Power?

Not always. Buying power is different from withdrawable cash.

Buying power may include:

  • Unsettled sale proceeds
  • Pending deposits
  • Instant Deposit funds
  • Borrowed margin
  • Cash reserved for pending orders

Robinhood's withdrawable cash balance does not include funds that are still pending or unavailable for withdrawal. To withdraw eligible cash, go to Account → Menu → Transfers → Withdraw and check the balance shown before confirming the transfer.

You cannot withdraw borrowed margin as if it were your own cash. If you withdraw cash while using margin, your margin balance may increase and interest may apply.

Why Can't You Use All of Your Buying Power?

You may see a total buying-power figure while Robinhood allows less for a particular trade. Common reasons include:

  • The security has a higher margin requirement.
  • Your portfolio is concentrated in one security.
  • The security is unusually volatile.
  • Pending orders have reserved some funds.
  • A recent sale has not settled in a cash account.
  • Instant Deposit funds are restricted or already in use.
  • A deposit was reversed.
  • Your account has a restriction.

Robinhood can change maintenance requirements, so the amount available for one security may differ from your general buying-power balance.

How Margin Changes Your Buying Power

Margin investing lets eligible Robinhood customers borrow money to purchase securities. Robinhood requires a minimum portfolio value of $2,000 before customers can access margin investing, and approval is not automatic.

To apply for margin investing:

  1. Select Account.
  2. Open the menu.
  3. Select Investing → Margin investing.
  4. Follow the application instructions.

Margin can increase the amount you can buy, but it also adds risk:

  • Robinhood charges interest on qualifying margin balances.
  • You must repay the borrowed amount even if the investment loses value.
  • A decline in your portfolio can trigger a margin call.
  • Robinhood may sell securities to address a margin deficiency, potentially without getting your prior approval.
  • Maintenance requirements can change with market conditions, volatility and portfolio concentration.

If you want to avoid borrowing, use a cash account or set a borrowing limit in your margin settings. Eligible margin customers can set a limit on how much margin they use.

The Practical Rule for Using Robinhood Buying Power

Use the buying-power amount shown on the order screen, not only the headline balance in your account. The order screen reflects the specific security, order size, account type and applicable margin requirements.

For a more cautious approach:

  1. Confirm that the order fits within your available buying power.
  2. Check whether the order uses cash or margin.
  3. Avoid using funds tied to pending deposits or unsettled trades.
  4. Review the estimated total before submitting the order.
  5. Keep a cash buffer instead of using the entire displayed balance.

To use buying power on Robinhood, open an investment, select Buy, enter a dollar or share amount within the available limit and submit the order. Treat margin buying power differently from cash because it represents borrowing, not money you already own.