Glossary
Ask: definition
The ask, or offer, is the lowest price at which someone is currently willing to sell. If you buy immediately, the ask is the side of the quote you are likely to pay.
In practice
Quotes come as a pair. Buyers show a bid. Sellers show an ask. The gap is the spread. In a liquid market the ask is close to the last trade. In a thin market the ask can be far above the last trade, and a market order will pay it. Size matters: the ask you see may be good for a few shares and useless for the order you want to place. Always read the size beside the price.
A worked example
A share quoted 10.00 bid and 10.04 ask will cost a buyer about 10.04 before commission if the size is available. The 4 pence is a real cost of crossing the market.
Related
Sources and review
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13. Next review due 2027-04-13. Status: editorial review of this page, not a live verification of every third-party fee.
Author: WiT Markets Editorial, Editorial desk. The WiT Markets editorial desk writes explanatory pages, comparison context and research notes. It separates sourced facts from items that are not confirmed, and it does not provide personal recommendations.
Reviewed by: WiT Markets Research Review.
Primary and regulatory sources
- Investor.gov — checked 2026-10-13
- London Stock Exchange — checked 2026-10-13