Calendar spread is an options strategy that allows traders and investors to enter long and short positions simultaneously for the same underlying and strike price but different expiration dates.

Option traders can utilize calendar spreads as a way to get into a long position at a cheaper price by selling the other leg and bringing in a credit. As a result, the option trader has the choice of owning longer-term calls or puts for less money. Keep in mind that this strategy can be used with both calls or puts.

How To Trade A Calendar Spread

As said earlier, the calendar spread is an option trading strategy where a trader opens two legs with different expiring dates for the same security. In the picture above, you can see that we are selling the earlier expiration (aka the front month) in January and buying the longer expiration set for February. Your max loss on this trade is your net debit you paid to open the position while your max gain is theoretically unlimited.