Viewing the Order Book

The order book is a list of every open order to buy or sell shares in a particular market.

<img className="block w-full h-auto dark:hidden" style={{ maxWidth: '100%', height: 'auto' }} noZoom src="https://polymarket-upload.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Orderbook-light.png" />

In this market, “Presidential Election Winner 2024”, we are viewing the order book for Trump <span style={{ backgroundColor: '#E5F8E6', color: '#27AE60', padding: '2px 4px', borderRadius: '4px' }}>Yes</span> shares.

The green side represents the <span style={{ backgroundColor: '#E5F8E6', color: '#27AE60', padding: '2px 4px', borderRadius: '4px' }}>Bids</span>: the highest price traders are willing to pay to buy Trump <span style={{ backgroundColor: '#E5F8E6', color: '#27AE60', padding: '2px 4px', borderRadius: '4px' }}>Yes</span> shares.

The red side represents the <span style={{ backgroundColor: '#FEEEE5', color: '#F55A00', padding: '2px 4px', borderRadius: '4px' }}>Asks</span>: the lowest price traders are willing to accept to sell Trump <span style={{ backgroundColor: '#E5F8E6', color: '#27AE60', padding: '2px 4px', borderRadius: '4px' }}>Yes</span> shares.

Notice that there is a 0.3c gap between the highest bid and the lowest ask price. This is referred to as the spread.