# Why is my stop not where I expected?

> Distances follow the fill. Levels do not.

Source: https://algobarsx.com/docs/why-stop-moved/

- A stop written as a **distance** (`25 pips`, `atr(14) * 2`, `2R`) is measured from the actual fill price. If the entry fills 8 pips higher after a gap, the stop is 8 pips higher too ([E9](https://algobarsx.com/docs/rules-prices-distances-and-size/#E9)).
- A stop written as a **level** (`low[1]`, `1.0850`) stays exactly where you put it. If a gap makes it invalid, for example a long stop at or above the fill, the order is cancelled and recorded as “stop beyond entry” ([E10](https://algobarsx.com/docs/rules-prices-distances-and-size/#E10)).
- [`breakeven`](https://algobarsx.com/docs/ref-cmd-management/#ref-breakeven) and [`trail`](https://algobarsx.com/docs/ref-cmd-management/#ref-trail) move stops during the trade, and a trailing stop only ever tightens ([E13](https://algobarsx.com/docs/rules-trade-management/#E13), [E14](https://algobarsx.com/docs/rules-trade-management/#E14)).