When you place a bid at auction, you can’t offer just any number. Bidding follows a system of set increments: predefined steps that determine the next acceptable bid. These increments vary by auction house and sale category, but they all serve the same purpose: to keep bidding orderly and competitive.
For example, bids might rise by £50 when the lot is under £1,000, then increase in £100 or £500 steps as the price climbs. At higher levels, increments might jump by thousands. The auctioneer calls out the next bid they will accept, and online platforms often display it automatically. This is important to understand in live auctions, where timing matters. Unlike timed online sales, auctioneers do not close bidding at a fixed moment. They continue as long as there is interest, so knowing the next acceptable bid is more useful than trying to snipe at the last second.
See also: Auctions 101: What Are the Different Types of Auctions?
Increments are not arbitrary. They are designed to strike a balance: small enough to encourage participation, large enough to keep the pace moving. A bid that does not follow the step, for example £10 over when the next increment is £500, will usually be rejected. That said, auctioneers sometimes accept off-increment bids to maintain momentum, particularly when bidding slows. This is at their discretion and often depends on the room.
Understanding increments helps you plan your bids and gauge how quickly a lot might escalate. It also avoids surprises, particularly in fast-paced sales where there is little time to hesitate. Most auction houses publish increment tables in advance or include them in the sale terms, and reviewing them before bidding gives you a small but useful edge.
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