Bid-Ask Spread

What it means

The spread is a basic transaction cost and a quick signal of market tightness or looseness.

What to watch

Spreads often widen during thin liquidity and volatile conditions, which can quietly change trade economics.

Where traders usually run into this

Bid-Ask Spread is most useful once it is tied to a concrete page, chart decision, or workflow question.

• Slippage keeps this term attached to a real glossary instead of leaving it as standalone jargon.
• Liquidity keeps this term attached to a real glossary instead of leaving it as standalone jargon.
• Commission and Slippage Calculator keeps this term attached to a real tool instead of leaving it as standalone jargon.

Best next page if this term is blocking you

If you understand the definition but still do not know what to do with it, start with Commission and Slippage Calculator. That page is the fastest way to see how bid-ask spread shows up in a real tool workflow.