- As of Nov 4, 2026, the median ETF trades at a spread of 0.15% across 1,977 funds, and 162 funds have a spread of 0.50% or more.
In plain words
The bid is the highest price a trader will pay for a share now; the ask is the lowest price a trader will take. The spread is the gap. You pay it each trade: the ask when you add, the bid when you reduce.
ETFIQ reads each issuer’s 30-day median spread. The median across 1,977 funds is 0.15% of the midpoint price, and 162 funds have a spread of 0.50% or more. Large funds on big indexes are tightest; small or thin funds are widest. A wide spread is a cost the fee does not show.
Questions
- Is the spread part of the cost of an ETF?
Yes. It is a cost each time you trade, in addition to the yearly fee.
- How do I get a smaller spread?
Trade when the market is open and active, use a limit order, and pick funds with more daily volume. The trading pages show each fund’s spread.
- Does the spread change?
Yes. It widens at the open and close and when markets move fast. ETFIQ shows a 30-day median to smooth that out.