Options Education

Short Put Condor Option Strategy

Snapshot
Legs
Sell 1 Low Put + Buy 1 Mid-Low Put + Buy 1 Mid-High Put + Sell 1 High Put
Outlook
High Volatility / Direction Agnostic
Max profit
Net credit received
Max Loss
Width between adjacent strikes minus net credit received

A short put condor option strategy involves selling four put options at four distinct strike prices with identical expiration dates. You sell the lowest strike put, buy the second lowest, buy the second highest, and sell the highest strike put. This combination generates a net credit upfront. Investors apply this technique when they anticipate significant stock price movement away from the current price level in either direction.

Your maximum profit is capped at the initial net credit collected, achieved if the stock price ends up below the lowest strike or above the highest strike at expiration. The maximum loss occurs if the stock price closes squarely between the two middle strike prices, equal to the width between adjacent strike prices minus the net credit received.

Example
Stock
$100
Trade
  • Sell $110 Put for $11.00
  • Buy $105 Put for $6.50
  • Buy $95 Put for $1.50
  • Sell $90 Put for $0.50
→ $3.50 credit ($350)
Breakevens
$93.50 / $106.50
Outcomes
  • Stock ≤ $90 or ≥ $110: +$350 Max Profit
  • Stock at $93.50 or $106.50: $0 Breakeven
  • Stock between $95 and $105: -$150 Max Loss
Profit & loss at expiration Profit 0 Loss Stock Price → Max Profit Max Profit Max Loss at Middle
Max profit is the net credit outside the outer strikes. Max loss sits in the middle range between the two inner strikes.