---
title: "Bear Call Spread (Credit) — options strategy"
type: "options-strategy"
topic: "Options strategies (Indian markets)"
category: "Income"
outlook: "Bearish"
complexity: "intermediate"
risk: "defined"
slug: "bear-call-spread"
url: "https://learn-derivatives.tapetide.com/strategies/bear-call-spread"
markdown_url: "https://learn-derivatives.tapetide.com/strategies/bear-call-spread.md"
source: "DeltaDesk by Tapetide"
---

# Bear Call Spread (Credit)

> **In plain English:** Get paid now for betting a price will NOT rise much. You sell a call and buy a higher one as a safety net. You keep the cash if the price stays down; the loss is capped if it rises.

**Category:** Income · **Market view:** Bearish · **Complexity:** intermediate · **Risk:** Defined

## Structure

- Sell ATM+1 strike call
- Buy ATM+4 strikes call

## Summary

Sell a call and buy a higher call — collect a credit, profit if the price stays down.

## When to use it

Neutral-to-bearish, want positive theta with defined risk.

## Profit & loss

- **Max profit:** The net credit received.
- **Max loss:** Limited to (spread width − net credit).

## Net Greeks profile

Positive theta, negative vega, negative delta.

## Margin

Margin-intensive (you sell options).

## Common mistakes

- Selling too close to spot in a strong uptrend.

## India example

Sell 1-OTM call, buy a further-OTM call into a resistance level.

---

**Build it live in the [DeltaDesk Strategy Lab](https://learn-derivatives.tapetide.com/tools/strategy-lab)** — tune strikes and see payoff + net Greeks update instantly.

*Educational content only — nothing here is investment advice. Derivatives carry significant risk of loss. Tapetide is not a SEBI-registered research analyst or investment adviser.*