Negotiating pay when I have been out of work

I do not know whether to give a range or ask for theirs. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I do not want to price myself out. How do you research fairly?

Asking about the range for the role first worked for me. Some recruiters share it.

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.