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What max pain is
Max pain is the expiry price at which the total payout to all option holders is smallest, which is the same price at which option sellers collectively keep the most premium. It is computed from open interest across strikes and is specific to one expiry.
02
How it is calculated
For each candidate expiry price P, add up what every call and put would pay at that price: call open interest times the amount P is above the strike, plus put open interest times the amount the strike is above P. The price with the lowest total is max pain.
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A worked example (illustrative numbers)
Strikes 24000, 24100, 24200. Call open interest: 10, 20, 30. Put open interest: 30, 20, 10. Payouts in index points times contracts.
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If expiry is 24000: puts at 24100 pay 20 x 100 = 2000 and puts at 24200 pay 10 x 200 = 2000. Total 4000.
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If expiry is 24100: calls at 24000 pay 10 x 100 = 1000 and puts at 24200 pay 10 x 100 = 1000. Total 2000.
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If expiry is 24200: calls at 24000 pay 10 x 200 = 2000 and calls at 24100 pay 20 x 100 = 2000. Total 4000.
The lowest total is at 24100, so max pain is 24100.
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What max pain cannot do
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It uses open interest only. It ignores gamma, so it says nothing about hedging flow during the session.
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It assumes every position is held to expiry; many are closed or rolled earlier.
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It does not know who is long or short.
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Price often ends away from it. Treat it as a reference level, and look at gamma-weighted measures such as GEX alongside it.
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Max pain in the Arkenwell terminal
The option chain suite shows max pain per expiry, including a Max Pain by Expiry view, and the chart can overlay max pain with call and put walls and the gamma flip on an F&O symbol.
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Frequently asked questions
What is max pain in options?
Max pain is the expiry price at which total payout to option holders is lowest, calculated from open interest across strikes.
Does the market close at max pain?
Not reliably. It is a reference level with no guarantee, and price often settles elsewhere.
How is max pain different from the gamma flip?
Max pain comes from open interest at expiry. The gamma flip comes from gamma-weighted exposure at current price.
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