The ask (or offer) is one half of the bid-ask spread quoted for any tradable security. Placing a market buy order fills at (or very near) the current ask; the wider the spread, the higher the hidden cost of trading.
For heavily-traded stocks the ask sits pennies above the bid. For thinly-traded securities — small-caps, some ETFs, most bonds — the gap can be meaningful.
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Open Decision Lab →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between bid and ask?
The bid is the highest price a buyer will pay; the ask is the lowest price a seller will accept. The gap between them is the spread.
Do I always pay the ask?
A market order does. A limit order lets you name your own price and wait for a seller to meet it.