Options Flow Scanner — Unusual Options Activity Today
Track large options sweeps, blocks, and unusual activity in real time. See where smart money is positioning — bullish call sweeps, bearish put sweeps, and high vol/OI trades that signal institutional moves before they happen.
What is Options Flow?
Options flow is the real-time feed of options trades filtered for unusual size, urgency, or premium. A sweep = urgent purchase across multiple exchanges (strong directional signal). A block = single large print, often institutional hedging. Vol/OI > 0.3 = today's volume is 30%+ of all open contracts (significant positioning).
TraderValue scans Unusual Whales + Tradier data every 10 minutes during market hours for premium ≥$50K and vol/OI ≥ 0.3.
Recent Unusual Options Activity
Live Feed in Workspace →Sample of large sweeps and blocks. For the live real-time feed with full filtering, open the workspace scanner →
Sample data shown above. Live flow updates every 10 minutes in the workspace scanner.
How to Read Options Flow Alerts
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| SWEEP | Buyer swept through all exchange depth at the ask price — urgency signal |
| BLOCK | Single large print, often negotiated — may be hedge or roll |
| Vol/OI ≥ 3× | Today's volume is 3× all existing open contracts — massive unusual activity |
| Near-term expiry | Expiry within 30 days — directional bet, not a hedge |
| OTM strike | Out-of-the-money — cheap leverage, pure directional bias |
| Premium ≥ $500K | Minimum for institutional-grade signal — filters noise |
Options Flow + EdgeOS Signal Alignment
Flow alone is not enough — institutions hedge, roll, and manage spreads constantly. The highest-conviction setups combine a T1 ignition technical signal with confirming options flow.
- ·Bull T1 ignition (count = 1)
- ·SCTR > 9 (momentum positive)
- ·Call sweep at the ask
- ·Near-term OTM expiry
- ·Premium ≥ $500K
- ·Bull count 2–5
- ·Large call block (not sweep)
- ·SCTR 25–50 range
- ·Premium $100K–$500K
- ·Mixed near/far expiry
- ·No technical signal
- ·SCTR in chop zone (4–9)
- ·LEAPS / deep ITM only
- ·Mixed calls + puts same symbol
- ·Premium < $50K
Scanner Filters — What to Use
Filter: Sweeps only · Expiry ≤ 5 DTE · Premium ≥ $200K · Near-term OTM strikes. Focus on SPY, QQQ, NVDA, TSLA. These catch the most directional moves in the next 1–3 sessions.
Filter: Calls or Puts · Expiry 14–45 DTE · Premium ≥ $500K · Vol/OI ≥ 1.5. Add technical filter: SCTR > 9 for calls, SCTR < 4 for puts. Best risk/reward when flow and technicals align.
Run the EdgeOS T1 ignition scanner first. Then check options flow on that symbol to see if institutions are positioned the same direction. This is the TraderValue recommended workflow.
Avoid acting on flow for LEAPS (180+ DTE), deep ITM options, or any symbol with simultaneous large call and put activity — that's usually a spread or hedge, not a directional bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an options flow scanner?
An options flow scanner monitors the options market in real time for unusually large or unusual trades — called sweeps, blocks, or high volume-to-open-interest (vol/OI) trades. These large trades often signal that institutional investors or "smart money" are taking a directional position before a move. A scanner aggregates these trades and flags them so retail traders can see where the big money is flowing.
What is unusual options activity?
Unusual options activity refers to options trades that are abnormally large relative to open interest — typically a volume/OI ratio above 0.3, or dollar premium above $50,000 on a single trade. When a stock normally trades 500 call contracts per day and suddenly sees 5,000 contracts in a single sweep, that is unusual activity. These trades frequently precede earnings announcements, M&A events, or major price moves.
What is an options sweep?
An options sweep occurs when a large buyer purchases contracts across multiple exchanges simultaneously at or above the ask price, sweeping through all available supply. This urgency — paying ask price, splitting across exchanges — signals the buyer wants immediate exposure before the price moves. Sweeps are considered more directionally significant than passive block trades filled patiently at mid.
How do I use options flow to trade?
Options flow is most useful as a confirmation signal, not a standalone entry trigger. The TraderValue approach: (1) Find stocks with a bull T1 ignition signal using the EdgeOS scan system. (2) Check whether the options flow confirms — bullish sweeps on calls, premium building on near-term strikes. (3) If flow + technical alignment both point the same direction, the setup has higher conviction. Flow without a technical setup, or a technical setup without flow confirmation, each have lower win rates. Combination produces the edge.
Is options flow a reliable indicator?
Options flow is a leading indicator but requires context. Not every large trade is directional — institutions hedge, roll positions, and close spreads constantly. The most reliable signals are: (1) sweeps at the ask (urgency), (2) near-term expiry (not LEAPS hedges), (3) out-of-the-money calls or puts (directional, not covered), (4) alignment with the technical trend and EdgeOS signal count. TraderValue's 7-year backtest shows that flow-confirmed T1 ignitions have significantly higher conviction scores than unconfirmed ones.
What is the difference between a call sweep and a put sweep?
A call sweep is a large purchase of call options across multiple exchanges simultaneously — bullish signal, the buyer expects the stock to rise. A put sweep is a large purchase of put options — bearish signal, the buyer expects the stock to fall or is hedging a long position. Selling calls or puts has the opposite implication: a sold call (BULLISH) means someone sold upside protection, often as income on a stock they own. The key is direction at the ask: buying calls = bullish, buying puts = bearish, selling calls = neutral/bearish, selling puts = bullish.
The full scanner in the TraderValue workspace shows live UW + Tradier flow with CALL/PUT filters, SWEEP/BLOCK tags, BULL/BEAR sentiment, and cross-reference against the EdgeOS T1 ignition scan.