# Short Interest

*Trading & Technical Analysis — Finicade finance glossary*

Short interest is the number of shares sold short and not yet covered, usually shown as a percentage of free float or as days to cover.

Short interest is the number of shares sold short and not yet covered, most usefully expressed as a percentage of the free float or as days to cover at average volume. High readings mean bearish positioning and, simultaneously, a large pool of forced future buyers — which is why heavily shorted small-float stocks are the raw material of every squeeze.

**Also known as:** short interest ratio, days to cover, percentage of float shorted

**Related terms:** [Short Selling](https://finicade.com/glossary/short-selling), [Short Squeeze](https://finicade.com/glossary/short-squeeze), [Meme Stock](https://finicade.com/glossary/meme-stock), [Free Float](https://finicade.com/glossary/free-float), [Trading Volume](https://finicade.com/glossary/trading-volume)

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/short-interest