# Live auction

> An auction conducted in real time by an auctioneer, with lots offered one after another and bids taken as they come, in a saleroom, online or both.

- URL: https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/live-auction
- Language: English
- Also known as: Saleroom auction, Live sale
- Last updated: 2026-10-07
- Français: https://www.selloff.auction/fr/glossaire/vente-en-direct.md

## Definition

An auction conducted in real time by an auctioneer, with lots offered one after another and bids taken as they come, in a saleroom, online or both.

In a live auction the auctioneer sets the pace and each lot is decided on the spot. The sale can be streamed so that online bidders follow it with sound or video and bid alongside the room.

In Selloff, live sales are run from the auctioneer's console, and live online bidding is available through Selloff Live Auction or the Redpoint Live Auction integration.

## Related features

- [Live auctions & online bidding](https://www.selloff.auction/features/live-auctions.md): Run the room from the auctioneer's console and take live online bids through Selloff Live Auction, with every hammer price recorded in Selloff.
- [Sales & auction types](https://www.selloff.auction/features/auction-types.md): Run auctions, offer sales, eBay-style timed sales and fixed-price sales, each with its own sessions, catalogues, dates, fees and bid increments.

## Related terms

- [Auctioneer](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/auctioneer.md): The person who conducts the sale from the rostrum: announces each lot, takes bids from the room, the telephones, absentee orders and the internet, and knocks the lot down to the highest bidder.
- [Hybrid auction](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/hybrid-auction.md): A live auction in which bids are taken at the same time from the saleroom, telephone lines, absentee orders and online bidders, all competing on the same lots in real time.
- [Timed online auction](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/timed-online-auction.md): An auction held entirely online in which each lot closes at a scheduled time, often extended by a few minutes if a bid arrives just before the close. No auctioneer calls the lots.
- [Sale session](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/sale-session.md): A continuous part of an auction, held at a set date and time and covering a defined range of lots. Large sales are split into several sessions, often by category or value.