Ask Size
Returns the ask size, which is the number of shares (or contracts for options) available for sale at the current ask price. This indicates the liquidity available on the sell side.
Supported Symbol Formats
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US Stocks | SYMBOL | AAPL, MSFT |
| ETFs | SYMBOL | SPY, QQQ |
| Options | OCC Symbol | AAPL240315C00170000 |
Understanding Ask Size
- Larger ask sizes indicate more shares available to buy at the current ask price
- Small ask sizes may indicate potential price impact when buying
- Ask size is typically displayed in round lots (multiples of 100 shares)
Notes
- Data may be delayed up to 15 minutes
- Returns "NA" if the symbol is invalid or data is unavailable
Examples
When to Use
- Analyzing sell-side liquidity
- Understanding order book depth
- Evaluating potential price impact of buy orders
- Market microstructure analysis
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Real-time streaming ask size | QM_Stream_AskSize() |
| Bid side liquidity | BidSize() |
| Ask price | Ask() |
| Total trading volume | Volume() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: Why am I getting "NA"? A: The symbol may be invalid or the market may be closed. Verify the ticker symbol.
Q: What units is ask size in? A: Ask size is typically in shares for stocks and contracts for options.
Q: How do I combine ask size with ask price?
A: Use =Ask("AAPL")*AskSize("AAPL") to get the dollar value at the ask.
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