Ask Price
The lowest price a seller is willing to accept right now. You buy at the ask.
The ask price (also called the offer) is the minimum price a seller currently demands for a security. It is always higher than the bid price.
When you place a market buy order, it fills at the current ask — you pay the seller's asking price. The ask reflects the lowest limit sell order sitting in the order book.
Together, the bid and ask define the two-sided market. The difference between them is the spread — effectively a transaction cost you pay on every round trip.
Related Terms
Bid Price
The highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a security right now. You sell at the bid.
BeginnerBroker
An intermediary who executes buy and sell orders on your behalf. Modern brokers are typically electronic platforms.
BeginnerLiquidity
How easily you can enter or exit a position without moving the price. High liquidity = tight spreads, deep order books, fast fills.
BeginnerSpread
The gap between the bid and ask price. A tighter spread means lower transaction costs and better liquidity.
Beginner