How to read unusual options flow

Unusual options flow highlights contracts trading far above typical size or open interest — often described as block prints or sweeps. The signal is not a guaranteed direction bet; it is a liquidity event worth cross-checking with price, IV rank, and catalyst calendar.

What to look for

• Notional vs OI: large premium relative to open interest may indicate new positioning.
• Call/put mix: aggressive call buying differs from put hedging at the same strike.
• IV context: rich implied volatility changes how you interpret directional bets.

Open the options flow scanner preview on RiskWhale for live unusual activity and block-print style scoring across a curated ticker universe.