The concept
Every trade crosses the : buyers pay the , sellers receive the . Chart lines usually show only one of these.
Why it matters
A stop placed at a chart level can be triggered by the ask or bid even if the chart line did not touch it.
Bid, ask and spread
Bid · you sell here
2,410.20
Spread
0.30
Ask · you buy here
2,410.50
Educational illustration · not a live price or trading recommendation
How markets interpret it
Traders account for spread when planning entries, stops, and targets.
Key takeaways
- Buy orders fill at the ask; sell orders at the bid.
- Charts often show bid prices only.
Knowledge check
A sell stop is usually triggered by…
Key terms · hover or tap for a definition