Instruments (Trading Symbols)

Use one symbol format that maps to the right broker symbol at order time.

One symbol formatBroker neutralAuto mapped
In short

Every stock broker names the same contract with a different trading symbol, especially for derivatives. AutoTrader gives you one broker-independent symbol format. You write that single symbol in your strategy code, and our system maps it to the correct broker-specific symbol at order time. So changing brokers never forces a change to your code.

If you automate a trading strategy across different stock brokers, you already know the problem: the trading symbol for the same contract changes from one broker to another. This is mostly true for derivative symbols. Here is an example.

Why symbols differ across brokers

Say the contract you want to trade is a call option of BANKNIFTY with a strike price of 40000 and an expiry date of 30-Dec-2021. The symbol used to identify this contract is different for each broker:

BrokerSymbol
ZERODHABANKNIFTY21DEC40000CE
UPSTOXBANKNIFTY21DEC40000CE
ALICEBLUEBANKNIFTY DEC 40000.0 CE
FINVASIABANKNIFTY21DEC40000CE
AUTOTRADERBANKNIFTY_30-DEC-2021_CE_40000

If you use these broker-specific symbols in your strategy code, then changing a broker would force you to change the code to match the new broker’s symbol format. To solve this, we built a single broker-independent instrument format (the AUTOTRADER row above).

How does it work?

We use a simple, standard format to build symbols, explained below. You use this symbol in your strategy code. Our system keeps the mappings internally and picks up the broker-specific symbol for you.

You can also search for symbols with our free public tool. See Instrument not found for how to look up the correct trading symbol for the brokers we support.

Now let us understand it starting from code:

placeOrder("PSEUDO_ACC_ID", "NSE", "BANKNIFTY_30-DEC-2021_CE_40000", "BUY", "LIMIT", "INTRADAY", 25, 230.55, 0);
  1. The API user uses the broker-independent symbol in their strategy code.
  2. Our system checks which trading account is mapped to “PSEUDO_ACC_ID”.
  3. From the trading account, our system finds which stock broker it belongs to.
  4. The system then looks up the internal mapping table to find the broker-specific symbol.

As a result, changing stock brokers does not require changing instrument symbols in your strategy code. This is part of how AutoTrader keeps your strategy broker independent. To learn more about “PSEUDO_ACC_ID”, see Pseudo account.

Broker-independent symbol format

TypeFormatExample
EquitySYMBOLSBIN
FutureSYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_FUTBANKNIFTY_25-JUN-2020_FUT
OptionSYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_[CE/PE]_STRIKEBANKNIFTY_28-MAY-2020_CE_25000

All parts are joined by an underscore (_), not spaces.

Nifty option symbol examples

ContractSymbol
Nifty 25000 call, expiry 28-May-2020NIFTY_28-MAY-2020_CE_25000
Nifty 25000 put, expiry 28-May-2020NIFTY_28-MAY-2020_PE_25000
Bank Nifty 40000 call, expiry 30-Dec-2021BANKNIFTY_30-DEC-2021_CE_40000

If you are not sure of the exact expiry date or strike for a contract, search for it with our free public tool. See Instrument not found for how to look up the correct trading symbol.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Nifty option symbol format in AutoTrader?▾

Use the broker-independent format SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_CE_STRIKE for a call and SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_PE_STRIKE for a put. For example, a Nifty 25000 call expiring on 28-May-2020 is NIFTY_28-MAY-2020_CE_25000, and the matching put is NIFTY_28-MAY-2020_PE_25000. The parts are joined by an underscore (_), not spaces. You write this one symbol in your strategy code and our system maps it to the correct broker-specific symbol at order time.

How do I write a Bank Nifty option symbol?▾

Same format as any option: SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_CE_STRIKE or SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_PE_STRIKE. For example, a Bank Nifty 40000 call expiring on 30-Dec-2021 is BANKNIFTY_30-DEC-2021_CE_40000. If you are not sure of the exact expiry date or strike, search for the symbol with our free instrument tool.

Do I use a different trading symbol for each broker?▾

No. You use ONE broker-independent symbol format for every broker — the same symbol works whether the account is with one broker or another. Our system maps it to that broker's own symbol behind the scenes. So the symbol format does not depend on the broker: equity is SYMBOL, a future is SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_FUT, and an option is SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_CE_STRIKE (call) or SYMBOL_DD-MMM-YYYY_PE_STRIKE (put), joined by underscores. Your broker's own app shows a different symbol, but inside AutoTrader Web you always use our format.

Next steps

Pseudo accountThe account id in your code is an alias too.API functionsHow broker-neutral calls work end to end.Broker independenceSee the full picture and other building blocks.Supported brokersSee every broker you can connect.
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Last updated 10 July 2026