Bid increments explained

Auction bids go up in set steps called bid increments. Knowing the steps stops you setting a limit you can't actually bid, and shows what each extra step really costs.

What they are

The auctioneer decides how much each bid must rise. At smaller sales the steps are often fairly simple, and they usually get larger as the price rises. Some houses publish an increment table, while others leave it to the auctioneer's discretion, so check your auction's terms or ask.

Here's an illustrative example of how a scale might look. It isn't any particular auction house's:

Each step costs more than the step

With a 20% premium plus VAT, every £1 on the hammer price costs £1.24. So a £50 step adds £62 to what you pay:

Round your limit down

If you've worked out a maximum hammer price that isn't on a step, round down to the nearest one you can actually bid. For example, if the steps in your range are £50 and your calculated maximum is £776.40, your real limit is £750. See how to work out your maximum bid.

Commission bids work the same way. Houses commonly accept them at standard increments and may reduce an off-step bid to the next lower step. See commission bids explained.

General information only, not tax or financial advice. Auction houses set their own fees and terms, so always check the conditions of sale and confirm the details with the auction house before you bid.