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Best Time Frame For Trading |
In this article, we will discuss which time frame is best for intraday trading and why. With personal experiences and expert advice, you will gain an understanding of this important aspect of intraday trading.
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The Significance of Time Frames in Intraday Trading
Time frame plays an important role in intraday trading. They determine the duration of each candlestick or bar on your trading chart. Here are the key time frames used in intraday trading:
1. Tick Chart
Tick charts are the shortest time frame that represents individual trades. Tick charts are the smallest time frame so when reading the chart you see a lot of noise on the chart. There are huge fluctuations in prices. And there may be some dilemma in taking trade also.
2. 1-Minute Chart
The 1-minute chart gives you information about trades made every 1 minute. Traders who have a habit of taking quick trades use a 1-minute time frame.
3. 5-Minute Chart
In the 5-minute time frame, you will see fewer candlesticks and bars because as the time frame gets larger, the noise on the charts will reduce. Traders also get a lot of help in making decisions. A 5-minute time frame is widely used in forex trading.
4. 15-Minute Chart
The most commonly used time frame in intraday trading is the 15-minute time frame. Many experts and I personally also prefer this time frame for intraday trading.
5. 30-Minute Chart
The 30-minute time frame provides a comprehensive view of market trends. Traders who like to take trades comfortably and who are in no hurry use the time frame of 30 minutes and above.
6. 1-Hour Chart
One of the benefits of using the 1-hour time frame for intraday traders is that they do not need to track the market regularly. They learn a lot from 1 candle in 1 hour.
7. 4-Hour Chart
The 4-hour chart is popular among swing traders who aim to capture larger price swings within a day.
8. Daily Chart
Daily charts give you information about what happens in the market throughout the day. You can decide what trades to take in the market for the next day by looking at the daily chart.
9. Weekly Chart
Weekly charts are mostly used by positional traders. who hold trades for weeks or months.
10. Monthly Chart
Monthly charts are the longest time frames, used by investors and long-term traders.
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Which Time Frame is Best for Intraday Trading?
The million-dollar question is "Which time frame should be used for intraday trading?" Answer this question by asking yourself, what is your trading style, what are your goals while trading, and how much risk can you take?
If you want to earn quick and small profits then focus on tick charts or 1 minute charts. By focusing on these smaller time frames, you can work on micro-price movements.
The top choices for day traders are the 5-minute and 15-minute chart time frames. 90% of day traders prefer to use 5-minute and 15-minute chart time frames.
Swing traders who hold their positions for hours rather than minutes can use the 1-hour and 4-hour time frames. These time frames provide a balance between short-term and long-term approaches.
Positional traders who hold their positions for a longer period of time can view daily, weekly, and monthly charts. Longer time frames provide less monitoring and a more comprehensive approach.
Read This Also: Top 5 Strategies for Positional Trading With Example
Personal Insights from Experienced Traders :
Let us know from some experienced traders who will solve your dilemma about which time frame suits your intraday trading strategy.
David Turner, Scalper Trader: "I have been scalping for many years, and I like the 1-minute time frame the most. It allows me to spot tiny price movements and capitalize on them quickly. This strategy is not for the faint of heart as it has a lot of ups and downs but it is definitely addictive."
Sarah Martinez, Day Trader: "I prefer the 5-minute time frame because I don't want too much movement on the charts while trading. I can take my trading decisions very easily in the 5-minute time frame."
Michael Johnson, Swing Trader: "I am a swing trader, My trading goal is to understand the market trend well and stay in the trade for a long time and earn big profits."
FAQ:
Q: Is there a universally best time frame for intraday trading?
No, the best time frame depends on your trading style and trading goals.
Q: Can I use different time frames during the trading day?
Of course, many traders use different time frames to understand the market better and from a different perspective.
Q: Are longer time frames less stressful?
Of course, in longer time frames, fewer candles are visible on the chart than in shorter time frames and the trader can easily understand the direction of the market. In simple words, there is not much price movement on the chart in longer time frames.
Q: How do I choose the right time frame for trading?
You can experiment with different time frames through paper trading. Through this, you can guess which time frame suits your strategy and if you are comfortable using it.
Q: Is there any tool or indicator that can help me choose the right time frame?
Yes, there are many traders who try to create a good trading strategy by combining moving averages and relative strength index with their time frames.
Conclusion
Intraday trading is a risky and very exciting endeavor and choosing the right time frame is an important aspect. As we learned from this article, there is no single correct answer to what is the best time frame for intraday trading. Before you find the answer to this question, you should know what your trading style is. Your time frame should align with your trading style, risk, and goals.