How to use TradingView charts

The five essentials in this guide are chart types, timeframes, drawing tools, indicators and layouts. Each controls a different part of your workspace.

• Chart types control how price is displayed.
• Timeframes define the interval represented by each candle or bar on a time-based chart.
• Drawing tools let you mark levels, trends and ranges.
• Indicators add calculated information based on their inputs.
• Layouts let you save and organise your chart setup.

You can start with one chart and a few settings, then adjust the workspace to suit the questions you want to research.

A chart type determines how price data is shown. Candlestick, line and bar charts are three common options.

Candlestick charts

Candlesticks show the open, high, low and close for each period. They let you review movement within that period as well as where price finished.

Line charts

A standard line chart connects closing prices. It can make the direction of those closing prices easier to follow, while showing less detail than candles or bars.

Bar charts

Standard price bars also show the open, high, low and close. The vertical line represents the high-to-low range, with short marks indicating the opening and closing prices.

Compare the same instrument and timeframe in candlestick and line views. Notice which details remain visible and which are no longer shown.

On a time-based chart, the timeframe defines the interval represented by each candle or bar. For example, a one-hour candle covers one hour, while a daily candle covers a trading day. The latest candle may still be forming.

The timeframe is different from the amount of history visible on screen. Zooming or scrolling changes the visible range without necessarily changing the interval.

Comparing a daily chart with a one-hour chart can help you review a broader move and the shorter-term fluctuations within it. Different views may show different patterns, so check the interval before drawing conclusions.

Drawing tools let you add visual reference points to a chart. Common examples include horizontal lines, trendlines and rectangles.

• Use a horizontal line to mark a price level you want to revisit.
• Use a trendline to connect selected price points.
• Use a rectangle to highlight a range or area for further research.

You can find these tools in the toolbar on the left of the chart. A marked level records an observation. It does not guarantee that price will react there again.

Indicators calculate information from inputs such as price or volume.

A moving average summarises price over a selected number of periods. RSI measures the strength of recent upward and downward price changes. MACD compares moving averages to help review momentum.

Open the Indicators menu to find an indicator and check its settings. Understand its calculation and limitations before using it in your research.

Adding several indicators does not necessarily provide independent confirmation, particularly when they use similar inputs.

A layout is a saved workspace containing your chart setup. It can retain settings and indicators so you can return to a familiar view.

Where your plan supports it, a multi-chart layout lets you compare instruments or timeframes side by side. You can also compare views by changing the interval on a single chart.

The number of charts and saved layouts available depends on your TradingView plan.

Follow these steps to create a starting point for your research.

Step 1: Open a chart

Open TradingView Supercharts and select an instrument. Check the symbol and data provider so you know which market feed you are viewing.

Step 2: Choose a chart type

Use the chart-type selector in the top toolbar to choose candles, bars or a line chart.

Step 3: Set the timeframe

Use the interval selector to choose a timeframe. Compare another interval if you want additional context.

Step 4: Mark an area to review

Select a drawing tool from the left toolbar and mark a level or range where price has previously reacted.

Step 5: Add an indicator

Open Indicators, choose an indicator you understand and review its inputs. Start with a small number so the chart remains readable.

Step 6: Save your layout

Use the layout controls to name and save your workspace. If your plan supports multiple charts, use Layout setup to choose an arrangement and review the synchronisation settings.

A chart type changes the way price is displayed. A timeframe changes the interval represented by each candle or bar on a time-based chart.

For example:

• Switching a daily candlestick chart to a daily line chart changes the display.
• Switching a daily candlestick chart to a one-hour candlestick chart changes the interval.

Both settings affect what you can observe.

Confusing the timeframe with the visible range Check the interval selector. The amount of history on screen also depends on how far you have zoomed or scrolled.

Treating a drawing as a forecast A line or zone marks your analysis. It does not establish where price must move next.

Adding indicators without checking their inputs Different settings can produce different readings. Several similar indicators may repeat the same information.

Assuming every symbol is available to trade TradingView provides chart data for many instruments. A chart appearing on TradingView does not mean that instrument is offered by your connected broker.

A chart research workflow could look like this:

1. Choose an instrument and check its data source.
2. Review a broader timeframe before examining shorter-term detail.
3. Mark levels or ranges you want to investigate.
4. Add relevant indicators and check their settings.
5. Review news, market conditions and risk factors.
6. Save the setup for future review.

This process can help organise your observations. It does not remove the risks associated with trading CFDs.

Heatmaps provide a wider market overview, while Screeners help filter instruments using selected criteria. Charts let you examine individual instruments more closely.

Volume Profile can add a view of available volume data across price levels. Watchlists help you organise symbols for later review, and Alerts can notify you when selected conditions are met.

Together, these tools can help you move from a broader market overview to more focused research.