When Should You Use This Strategy?
Stock settles near middle
Who Benefits Most?
Conservative theta traders
Position Setup
The Long Put Butterfly consists of the following legs:
- Buy 1110 strike put at $12 premium
- Sell 2100 strike put at $6 premium
- Buy 190 strike put at $2 premium
How Profit and Loss Work
Maximum Profit: Limited: Wing width − net debit
Maximum Loss: Limited: Net debit paid
Break-even Points: Lower + debit; Upper − debit
Timing & Time Horizon
30–45 days
Most traders enter this strategy 30–60 days before their expected move, allowing enough time for the position to develop while avoiding excessive time decay on shorter-dated options.
Capital Requirements
Modest net debit
How to Manage the Position
Close at 50–75% profit
- Monitor the position daily, especially as it approaches profitability
- Set clear profit targets and exit rules before entering
- Consider closing early to lock in gains rather than waiting for max profit
- Be prepared to cut losses if the thesis is wrong
Key Risks & What to Watch
- Precision needed for narrow zone
- Multiple legs costs
Model Before You Trade
Every strategy performs differently based on entry price, strike selection, and premium levels. Use the interactive Long Put Butterfly calculator to model the payoff with your expected entry, strikes, and premiums before committing capital.
Educational information only. This guide explains how the strategy works mathematically and typically behaves. It is not investment advice, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Options trading involves significant risk, including the potential loss of premium paid. Paper trade or use small positions while learning.