how do you sell stocks on charles schwab

A step-by-step, beginner-friendly guide explaining how do you sell stocks on charles schwab across web, mobile, phone, and branch channels, plus order types, costs, settlement, taxes and troublesho...

2026-02-04 08:36:00

By Lily Wong

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How to sell stocks on Charles Schwab

This article answers the question "how do you sell stocks on charles schwab" and shows step-by-step methods to sell U.S. equities and ETFs using Charles Schwab’s web/desktop platform, mobile app, phone services, and in-branch assistance. Readers will learn the full selling flow, order types, lot selection, fees, settlement timing, tax reporting, common issues and best practices so you can sell confidently and securely.

As of 2026-01-23, according to Charles Schwab help pages and Schwab tutorial materials, the platforms and features covered here reflect Schwab’s published guidance and typical brokerage practices. For the latest interface changes, fee updates or policy notices, always consult Charles Schwab’s official resources.

Note: this article addresses selling U.S. equities and ETFs (not cryptocurrencies). If you are exploring crypto trading or Web3 wallets, consider Bitget’s dedicated services and Bitget Wallet for blockchain asset needs.

Overview of the selling process

When asking "how do you sell stocks on charles schwab", the typical end-to-end flow is:

Sign in to your Schwab brokerage account and authenticate (two-factor recommended).
Select the account and the security (stock or ETF) you want to sell.
Choose the Sell action on the trade ticket (All-In-One Trade Ticket, SnapTicket® or mobile trade screen).
Enter quantity, select an order type (Market, Limit, Stop, Stop-Limit, etc.) and time-in-force (Day, GTC, GTD).
Optionally specify which lots to sell (Specified Lots) to manage cost basis.
Review the order, submit it, and monitor execution and confirmations.
After the trade executes, settlement occurs (typically T+2 for U.S. equities); proceeds follow Schwab’s settlement and funds-availability rules.

This guide expands each step across platforms, explains order types, fees, special cases (RSUs, margin), tax reporting, and troubleshooting.

Account prerequisites

Before you attempt to sell, make sure of the following:

You have an active Schwab brokerage account (individual taxable, joint, IRA, margin or other account types supported by Schwab).
The shares you want to sell are settled and available in the account under your ownership.
You can log in and pass Schwab’s authentication (username/password + two-factor authentication when enabled).
If you use margin or want to short-cover, confirm you have appropriate account approvals and margin availability.

If you cannot access the shares online, or the account has restrictions (e.g., transfer freeze, legal holds, unsettled deposit), contact Schwab support or visit a branch.

Ways to place a sell order

There are multiple ways to sell on Schwab. Which you choose depends on preference, speed and complexity of the order:

All-In-One Trade Ticket (web/desktop)
SnapTicket® (inline trade ticket across many pages)
Schwab Mobile App (iOS/Android)
Phone (automated voice system) or broker-assisted/representative-assisted trades
In-branch assistance

Below are step-by-step instructions for web and mobile flows plus notes on phone and branch options.

All-In-One Trade Ticket (web/desktop)

How to sell stocks on Charles Schwab using the All-In-One Trade Ticket:

Sign in to your Schwab account on the official Schwab website and open the Trade menu.
Select All-In-One Trade Ticket (may be labeled Trade or Trade and Quotes depending on your layout).
Choose the account you will sell from (taxable, IRA, margin, etc.).
Enter the ticker symbol or search for the company/ETF.
Set Action = Sell (if you have options or other instruments, confirm the instrument type is Shares/Stock).
Enter the quantity (shares) you intend to sell. You can use whole shares; fractional share handling depends on the holding type.
Choose an order type (Market, Limit, Stop, Stop-Limit, etc.) and Time-in-Force (Day, Good-Till-Canceled, Good-Till-Date if available).
If you want to specify which purchased lots to sell, select the cost-basis or lot selection section and choose Specified Lots.
Review the estimated proceeds, fees (if any) and order details, then click Place Order (or Submit).
Monitor the order status on the Orders page; you will receive a trade confirmation once executed.

Snapshots of the All-In-One ticket are often available within Schwab educational materials and the site’s help center.

SnapTicket® (inline trade ticket)

SnapTicket® is Schwab’s inline ticket accessible from many pages (Summary, Research, Watchlist, Positions):

Find the security on your Watchlist, Research page, or Holdings summary.
Click the SnapTicket or Trade button next to the ticker.
Choose Sell and the source account.
Enter quantity and order type.
Optionally select Specific Lots if you prefer to choose which acquisition lots to sell.
Review and submit the order.

SnapTicket is designed for quick trades without leaving the current page.

Schwab Mobile App

Selling on Schwab’s mobile app follows a similar, touch-friendly flow:

Open the Schwab Mobile app and log in.
Navigate to Accounts > Positions or Watchlist and tap the security you wish to sell.
Tap Trade and choose Sell.
Enter the number of shares and select Order Type and Time-in-Force.
Choose lot selection if needed (Specified Lots) and review estimated proceeds.
Submit the order and authenticate if required (biometric or passcode).
Check Orders or History for execution and confirmation.

Mobile is convenient for monitoring and quick trades, but for complex orders or lot selection some users prefer the desktop interface.

Phone and broker-assisted trades

If you prefer to place orders by phone:

Automated phone trading: Schwab provides automated voice systems to place basic trades.
Broker/representative-assisted trades: You can call Schwab and request a broker-assisted trade. Expect a service charge for broker-assisted orders; check Schwab’s current fee schedule for exact amounts.

When using phone services, have your account number, ticker symbol, order instructions, quantity, and desired order type ready. Phone or assisted trades are useful when you cannot access online tools or require complex assistance.

Order types and timing

Understanding order types helps control execution and price outcomes. When users ask "how do you sell stocks on charles schwab", choosing the right order type is a core part of the answer.

Common Schwab-supported order types:

Market Order: Executes immediately at the best available price. Use when speed is priority and security is liquid.
Limit Order: Executes only at your limit price or better. Protects against adverse price moves but may not fill.
Stop Order (Stop Market): Becomes a market order once the stop price is triggered.
Stop-Limit Order: Becomes a limit order once the stop price is triggered, combining both conditions.
Other advanced order types: Schwab supports certain conditional and advanced orders depending on account access and the instrument.

Time-in-Force (TIF) options:

Day: Order expires at market close if not filled.
Good-Till-Canceled (GTC): Remains active until filled or canceled (Schwab may apply GTC expiration rules—confirm current policies on Schwab’s site).
Good-Till-Date (GTD): Remains active until a specified date.

When selling, consider liquidity and volatility. For highly liquid large-cap stocks, market orders often fill quickly with minimal slippage. For thinly traded or low-priced stocks, limit orders can help control sale price.

Quantity, partial fills, and lot selection

Entering the quantity is straightforward, but several nuances matter:

Enter the number of whole shares to sell. Fractional share selling may be limited depending on how the shares were acquired.
Partial fills can occur when available liquidity doesn’t meet order size at desired price; Schwab will fill as much as possible and leave remaining shares open per your TIF.
Lot Selection: If you own multiple lots acquired at different prices, choosing Specified Lots (also called Specific Identification) lets you select which lots to sell to manage realized gains/losses.

How to specify lots:

On the trade ticket (All-In-One or SnapTicket), locate the cost-basis or lot selection area.
Choose your cost-basis method (FIFO, Specific Lot, etc.).
If using Specific Lots, select the exact lots (purchase dates and quantities) to sell.
Confirm selection before placing the order—mistakes affect tax reporting.

Using specified lots is particularly useful toward year-end tax planning or when selling restricted/vested shares where you want to minimize gains or harvest losses.

Special cases and services

RSUs and Equity Award Center

If you hold restricted stock units (RSUs) or equity awards administered through Schwab’s Equity Award Center, selling vested shares may have special flows and tax withholding implications.
The Equity Award Center typically provides dedicated guidance for exercising awards and selling vested shares. Follow the Equity Award Center instructions and confirm any tax withholding requirements.

Selling on margin or covering short positions

Selling securities in a margin account or covering shorts requires margin approval and may be subject to maintenance requirements. Confirm margin effects and potential margin calls before executing large sales.

OTC, micro-cap and low-priced securities

Over-the-counter (OTC) or low-priced securities can have limited liquidity, wider spreads and additional restrictions. Schwab’s platform will reflect if an instrument is OTC or restricted.

Fractional shares

Fractional share selling behavior depends on how shares were acquired. Schwab’s policy on fractional sales varies; confirm in your account if fractional shares are allowed and how they will be executed.

Costs, commissions, and fees

When answering "how do you sell stocks on charles schwab", fees are an important consideration:

Online equity trades for U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs are typically commission-free at Schwab, but fee schedules can change—verify current pricing.
Options trades may carry per-contract fees.
Broker-assisted trades usually incur a service charge; confirm the current broker-assisted fee before placing such orders.
Special handling, transfers, or transactions involving foreign listings or OTC securities may have additional charges.

Always check Schwab’s current fee schedule for definitive, up-to-date fee information.

Trade settlement and funds availability

Settlement tells you when cash or securities change ownership legally. For U.S. equities:

Settlement cycle is typically Trade Date + 2 business days (T+2).
After settlement, cash proceeds become fully available for withdrawal or transfer according to Schwab’s funds-availability rules.
If you sell and immediately use unsettled proceeds to purchase other securities, beware of free-riding or good-faith violations; ensure you understand how proceeds and unsettled funds affect your trading privileges.

Check your account activity and trade confirmations to see settlement dates for specific trades.

Tax reporting and cost basis

Selling securities realizes capital gains or losses and affects tax reporting:

Schwab issues Form 1099-B reporting proceeds and cost basis for taxable accounts.
Cost-basis methods include FIFO (first-in, first-out), Specific Lot identification and other methods; mutual funds may use average cost.
If you selected Specific Lots at the time of sale, Schwab will report cost basis accordingly; if not, the default cost-basis method applies.
Keep records of purchase dates, purchase prices, and any adjustments to properly calculate short-term vs. long-term gains.

This article provides educational information and not tax advice. For personal tax implications, consult a qualified tax professional.

Post-trade actions

After placing and executing a sell order, common post-trade steps include:

Review the trade confirmation that Schwab issues by email or within account notifications.
Check Orders & History to confirm execution price, quantity, and commission or fees.
View your cash balance and move funds if needed (transfers or withdrawals subject to settlement rules).
If you use proceeds to reinvest, consider market timing, order type and tax implications.

Security, confirmations, and notifications

Protect your account and stay informed:

Enable two-factor authentication or additional Schwab security features.
Opt in to trade confirmations via email, SMS or in-account messages.
Use secure devices and networks when placing trades.
Schwab will send confirmations and statements; review them for accuracy and report discrepancies promptly.

Common issues and troubleshooting

Order not filling or partial fills

Low liquidity, narrow trading windows and limit price settings commonly cause non-execution or partial fills. Consider adjusting the price, splitting orders, or widening limits if appropriate.

Order rejected or canceled

Rejections can occur due to account restrictions, margin limits, order entry errors, or regulatory holds. Review the rejection reason in Orders & History and contact Schwab support if unclear.

Incorrect order entry

If you entered wrong quantity, type or ticker, attempt to cancel the order immediately if it remains open. Once executed, correct by placing an offsetting trade (understanding tax and cost basis effects).

When to contact Schwab support

Contact Schwab if you see unexpected rejections, discrepancies in confirmations, or account holds. Have your account number, trade ticket number and details ready.

Best practices for selling

Check liquidity and average daily volume before selling large positions.
Use limit orders when price control matters; use market orders for speed in liquid securities.
Consider tax consequences and lot selection to manage realized gains or losses.
Avoid emotional trading; prepare an exit plan and follow it.
Verify account and order details before submission; small mistakes can be costly.

Regulatory and legal considerations

Charles Schwab operates as a broker-dealer under U.S. securities regulation and is a member of SIPC, which provides limited protection for customer assets within SIPC rules.
This article is informational and not legal, tax, or investment advice. Consult qualified professionals for personalized guidance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: How long until I see cash after a sell? A: Settlement for U.S. stock trades is typically T+2 (trade date plus two business days). Cash availability can vary by account and Schwab policies.

Q: Can I sell partial lots or fractions? A: Fractional share handling depends on how shares were acquired and Schwab policies. If holding fractional shares, verify whether Schwab allows fractional sales for your lot.

Q: What if my order isn’t executed? A: Unexecuted orders may be adjusted (change order type, price or TIF) or canceled. Consider using limit orders or splitting large orders and contact Schwab if you need help.

Q: Are online equity trades free? A: U.S.-listed stock and ETF online trades are typically commission-free, but fee schedules change. Verify Schwab’s current pricing.

Q: How much does a broker-assisted sell cost? A: Broker-assisted trades often incur a service charge. Check Schwab’s published fee schedule for current broker-assisted trade fees.

Tutorials and help resources

Schwab provides detailed help pages, trade ticket tutorials, and videos (including SnapTicket and All-In-One ticket walkthroughs). For Equity Award holders, the Equity Award Center gives RSU/stock plan instructions. If you prefer live help, contact Schwab customer support or visit a branch.

Sources: Charles Schwab help pages titled "How to sell stocks", "How to sell specific lots" and the Schwab Equity Award Center, plus Schwab tutorial videos and platform documentation (refer to Schwab’s official resources for live updates).

Practical checklist: selling on Schwab (quick reference)

Log in and authenticate (2FA).
Confirm account and available shares to sell.
Decide order type (Market vs Limit) and TIF.
Choose lot selection if tax control is needed.
Review and submit, then monitor Orders & History.
Check settlement date and tax reporting details.

Additional notes and a word about related services

If you also manage crypto or Web3 assets, note that Charles Schwab’s services address traditional securities while dedicated crypto platforms and wallets support blockchain-native assets. For those needs, Bitget offers an exchange and Bitget Wallet tailored for digital assets; explore Bitget solutions separately if you plan to diversify into cryptocurrencies.

Further explore official Schwab help pages and Schwab’s Equity Award Center for RSU instructions to ensure compliance with award-specific rules.