trding.io
Basics

Ask — definition & meaning

The lowest price a seller is currently willing to accept.

The ask (or offer) is the price at which you can buy an instrument right now — the best price a seller in the market is currently asking for.

The ask is always slightly higher than the bid. When you buy at the ask and immediately sell at the bid, the difference (the spread) is already a small loss, which is why the spread matters.

The information on Trding.io is for general information only and is not investment advice. Trading involves a real risk of losing money, and most retail traders lose. Never trade money you cannot afford to lose.

Related terms

Bid
The highest price a buyer is currently willing to pay.
Spread
The gap between the bid and ask price — a built-in cost of trading.
Liquidity
How easily an asset can be traded without moving its price.
Long
Buying an asset expecting its price to rise so you can sell higher.
Short
Selling an asset you expect to fall, aiming to buy it back cheaper.
Pip
The smallest standard price move in most currency pairs.

Keep going

Compare brokers
Neutral scores on regulation, fees and more
Real cost of trading
Rank brokers by real annual spread + commission
Broker regulation checker
Who regulates each broker, with official registers
Find your broker
A 60-second quiz matched to your profile
Position size calculator
Size a trade to a fixed risk
Learn to trade
Free, plain-English courses and guides