Working with charts
A practical guide to chart types, navigation, settings, indicators, drawings and historical replay.
Getting started & navigationStart with the active chart
Choose the instrument, chart type and timeframe before adding analysis.
How to use
- Choose the chart you want to work with, check its instrument, choose Candles and a timeframe, then inspect a completed bar.
- Add one drawing or indicator at a time so each change is clear.
Interpretation limits
In a multi-chart layout, always check which chart is active before changing tools.
Getting started & navigationTimeframes and favorites
A timeframe is the duration of one bar; quick buttons and the period picker change it.
How to use
- Use the quick intervals or open the clock menu.
- The visible regular intervals run from 5 seconds to 4 hours; pin useful intervals to favorites.
- The one-second interval is used by automatic line resolution rather than the regular picker.
- On desktop, line modes hide the period toolbar.
- Daily, weekly and monthly bars are currently hidden from this picker.
Interpretation limits
A candle timeframe is separate from an option expiry. Changing it also changes the meaning of an indicator period.
Getting started & navigationMove, zoom and return to live
Navigate history horizontally and adjust how much of it is visible.
How to use
- Drag the plot to move through history and use the mouse wheel over the plot to zoom time.
- On touch screens, pinch with two fingers to zoom and move.
- Double-click an empty plot area to return to live; an active drawing can intercept that gesture.
Interpretation limits
Zooming changes the visible range and may change the available detail. It does not extend the supplied history indefinitely.
Getting started & navigationVisible range and timeframe
The range bar controls the view; the timeframe controls individual bars.
How to use
- Enable the range bar in Layers, then choose an available range.
- Recheck the active timeframe and visible bars after changing the range.
Interpretation limits
A range preset is not a promise that the full requested history exists for every instrument.
Appearance & scalesPrice scale modes
Choose linear, logarithmic, percentage or indexed scaling.
How to use
- Open Scales & lines.
- Linear compares absolute changes; logarithmic compares proportional changes; percentage expresses change from a reference; indexed rebases the series.
- Check the axis labels after switching.
Interpretation limits
Logarithmic scaling requires positive prices. Percentage and indexed readings are not account returns.
Appearance & scalesManual scale and inversion
Adjust the vertical view independently of the time axis.
How to use
- Scroll over the price axis to change its scale.
- Enable price-axis dragging when needed.
- Double-click the price axis to restore automatic scaling.
- The invert switch reverses its vertical direction.
Interpretation limits
An inverted axis changes the visual direction of rises and falls, not the data or trading direction.
Appearance & scalesCandle colors, bodies and wicks
Control rising and falling colors, body density, borders and shadows.
How to use
- In Symbol, set body, wick and border colors separately for up and down candles.
- Adjust body opacity and width; toggle wicks and borders.
- Compare the result on a dense and a zoomed-in view.
Interpretation limits
Hiding a wick hides the visual high–low extent, not the underlying values.
Appearance & scalesLine source, stroke and fill
Choose which price a line follows and how it looks.
How to use
- In Symbol, choose open, high, low, close, HL2, HLC3 or OHLC4 where available.
- Set line color and width, fill color and the area-fill switch.
- HL2 averages high and low; HLC3 adds close; OHLC4 averages all four prices.
Interpretation limits
A source change changes the plotted values; a color change only changes presentation.
Reading dataOHLC and the status line
Read the selected bar and choose which fields the legend displays.
How to use
- Move the crosshair over a completed bar.
- In Status line, choose top or bottom placement, full/compact/price density and hover-only display.
- Select fields: symbol, timeframe, OHLC, volume, change, range, countdown, indicators and daily data.
Interpretation limits
A daily statistic and the hovered bar describe different intervals. Check which field you are reading.
Reading dataBar countdown
Shows the remaining time in the active bar interval.
How to use
- Enable bar countdown in Symbol settings or select its field in the status line.
- Compare it with the timeframe before reading a forming bar.
Interpretation limits
This timer is not the option-expiry control and does not schedule an order.
Appearance & scalesCursor crosshair
Read price and time under the pointer with independent horizontal and vertical guides.
How to use
- In Scales & lines, enable the crosshair, choose visible directions, line style and opacity.
- Move it over bars to inspect their data.
Interpretation limits
The cursor crosshair is temporary; use Crosshair Marker or Cross Line to leave a drawing.
Appearance & scalesGrid and chart background
Tune the grid and background so chart data remains readable.
How to use
- In Scales & lines, toggle the grid and its horizontal/vertical directions, style and opacity.
- In Canvas, choose a background or upload or delete a custom image when available.
- Adjust background overlay, blur, saturation, fit and coverage area; use the separate background reset to restore these controls.
Interpretation limits
A busy background can obscure candles and drawings; check contrast in your chosen theme.
Analysis toolsAdd and edit indicators
Search studies, adjust their parameters and manage their display.
How to use
- Open Indicators, search by name and add a study.
- Open its editor to check period, price source and appearance.
- Remove unnecessary studies and use the Indicator guide for the exact calculation and limitations.
Interpretation limits
Periods count bars. A forming candle can change the current reading; extra indicators do not automatically add independent evidence.
Analysis toolsIndicator templates
Save and reuse a named set of studies.
How to use
- Configure the studies on the active chart, open indicator templates and save the set with a clear name.
- Apply an existing template or delete a set you no longer need.
Interpretation limits
A template is a configuration, not a tested strategy. Check the resulting studies after applying it.
Analysis toolsIndicator panes
Give separate studies enough vertical space without losing the price chart.
How to use
- Drag a pane divider to resize it.
- Double-click the divider to restore its default height.
- When the indicator stack overflows, scroll within its area to inspect other studies.
Interpretation limits
Each pane can use its own units; equal-looking heights across studies do not imply equal values.
Analysis toolsPrice moving-average layer
Display the built-in price moving-average lines through Layers.
How to use
- Enable price MA and review the configured lines and their periods.
- Distinguish these layer controls from studies added through the indicator catalog.
Interpretation limits
A longer period smooths more history and usually responds more slowly.
Reading dataVolume overlay and pane
Show supplied trading volume as an overlay, in a pane or not at all.
How to use
- Open Layers and choose the volume display mode.
- Set opacity, enable its moving average or legend when useful, and compare bars within the same instrument and timeframe.
Interpretation limits
Missing or venue-specific volume is not the total market. Verify data availability before interpreting an empty display.
Reading dataVolume profile
Groups available volume by price bands rather than only by time.
How to use
- Enable the volume profile in Layers.
- Adjust the number of rows and the value-area percentage.
- Recheck the profile after changing the visible range.
Interpretation limits
The profile depends on the available bars and volume allocation; it is not an order book or exact transaction-by-price history.
Reading dataPrice line and trade overlays
Separate the latest price reference from markers representing trades.
How to use
- Toggle the price line in Layers and trade overlays in Trading.
- Inspect the order/position table when you need the actual state of a trade.
Interpretation limits
Hiding an overlay does not close a position, cancel an order or disable its protection.
Analysis toolsCreate and edit drawings
Choose a drawing tool, place its anchors and adjust the result.
How to use
- Open Drawing tools and search by name.
- One-point tools use a click; two-point tools usually use a drag; multi-point tools use successive clicks.
- Select a finished drawing to move it or its handles.
- The Drawing tools guide describes every tool separately.
Interpretation limits
Exit the active drawing tool before panning if it intercepts your gesture.
Analysis toolsDrawing style and object management
Change drawing appearance and manage visibility, locking and names.
How to use
- Choose an object and open its style controls: color, thickness, solid/dashed/dotted stroke, opacity and fill opacity.
- Use the object list to rename, hide, lock or delete drawings.
- Unlock an object before editing it.
Interpretation limits
Hidden and locked objects cannot be picked directly on the chart. Check the object list before assuming a drawing was lost.
Analysis toolsMagnet and precise anchors
Snap drawing anchors to nearby candle OHLC values.
How to use
- Choose off, weak or strong magnet mode in the drawing controls.
- Place or adjust an anchor near the desired candle value and verify the resulting price.
- M toggles the magnet when hotkeys are enabled.
Interpretation limits
A stronger snap can select a different nearby OHLC point than intended; inspect the anchor.
Workflow & practiceUndo, redo and drawing storage
Correct drawing edits and understand why markup differs between instruments.
How to use
- Use undo/redo controls or Ctrl/Cmd+Z and Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Z; Ctrl+Y also redoes.
- Delete/Backspace removes selected editable drawings.
- Return to the same instrument to inspect saved markup.
Interpretation limits
Drawing undo does not undo trading operations. Do not assume cross-device synchronization is available without checking the current session.
Workflow & practiceLayouts and synchronization
Arrange one to four charts and control shared instrument/crosshair behavior.
How to use
- Choose a layout that fits your screen and activate the pane you want to change.
- In Layers, configure symbol and crosshair synchronization.
- Compare different timeframes while checking each pane label.
Interpretation limits
Some layouts are hidden on smaller screens. Synchronizing the symbol or crosshair does not mean all settings become identical.
Workflow & practiceBar Replay
Reveal historical bars progressively with playback and single-bar stepping.
How to use
- Open Replay in chart settings and enable it after history loads.
- Move the position slider, press play/pause, step forward one bar or change speed.
- Moving the slider pauses playback.
- Exit Replay to return to normal operation.
Interpretation limits
Trading is disabled during Replay. It uses loaded history and is not an automated strategy backtest or execution simulator.
Workflow & practicePrice alerts on a chart
Set a price condition you want to monitor.
How to use
- Open the price-alert controls, check the instrument and target price, and choose once or repeated triggering.
- Review or remove outdated alerts when your plan changes.
Interpretation limits
An alert is not a stop order. Delivery depends on the current application and notification conditions; verify them before relying on it.
Workflow & practiceFullscreen and screenshots
Expand the chart or capture its image for review.
How to use
- On supported desktop/tablet views, use the fullscreen or camera button.
- F toggles fullscreen when hotkeys are enabled.
- The capture action attempts to copy the image and can offer a download fallback.
Interpretation limits
Browser permissions affect fullscreen and clipboard access. Phone layouts hide these buttons; use the device screenshot action.
Workflow & practiceChart keyboard shortcuts
Use verified chart shortcuts while keeping text input and dialogs separate.
How to use
- Alt+T selects Trend Line, Alt+H Horizontal Line, Alt+V Vertical Line.
- M toggles magnet; F fullscreen.
- Ctrl/Cmd+Z undoes drawings; Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Y redoes.
- Escape exits drawing selection/tool states; Delete/Backspace removes selected editable objects.
Interpretation limits
Enable shortcuts in preferences. They are guarded during typing and modal interaction; browser/OS shortcuts can also take precedence.
Workflow & practiceFind and reset settings
Search chart settings and restore a tab or all registered settings.
How to use
- Open chart settings and search for a control by name.
- Review changed-setting markers.
- Choose reset for the current tab or all settings, then confirm the selected scope.
Interpretation limits
Reset can affect settings across chart slots. It is not a command to delete drawings, orders or account history.
Analysis toolsSelect several drawings and arrange them
Work with a selection and control which drawings appear in front.
How to use
- Use Shift when selecting to extend the drawing selection.
- Move editable selected objects together.
- Ctrl/Cmd+A selects editable drawings; Ctrl/Cmd+C then Ctrl/Cmd+V duplicates the selected drawing.
- Arrow keys nudge the selection; Shift increases the step.
- In the object list, bring an object to the front or send it to the back; rename objects so overlapping drawings remain identifiable.
Interpretation limits
Locked or hidden drawings are excluded from direct chart interaction. Undo affects drawings, not trades.
Workflow & practiceChart on a phone
Use touch navigation and compact menus on a narrow screen.
How to use
- Open hidden secondary controls through the More menu.
- Pinch with two fingers to zoom, drag to move, and choose drawing anchors carefully.
- Finish or exit the drawing tool before navigating.
- Use the available single-chart view when space is limited.
Interpretation limits
Desktop hover gestures and keyboard shortcuts do not replace touch controls.
Reading dataMissing data and unexpected readings
Check the instrument, timeframe, connection and display settings before interpreting a gap.
How to use
- Confirm the active instrument and exit Replay.
- Return to live and restore automatic scaling.
- Check hidden layers, indicator warm-up and available history; inspect the connection status if prices stop updating.
Interpretation limits
A flat line, missing volume or a blank indicator does not on its own prove that the market stopped.
Chart typesCandles
The body shows open and close; the wicks show the high and low of the interval.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Compare the body, shadows and OHLC values. The last candle continues changing until its interval ends.
Chart typesLine / Area
Connects the selected price source; an optional fill highlights the area beneath it.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Check the source and fill in Symbol settings. A line does not show the complete intrabar high–low range.
Chart typesOHLC Bars
A vertical bar spans low to high, with ticks for open and close.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Read the left tick as open and the right tick as close. Increase spacing when bars become too dense.
Chart typesHeikin Ashi
Uses derived OHLC values to smooth the appearance of candle sequences.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Compare with ordinary candles before interpreting a level. Synthetic candle prices are not executable market quotes.
Chart typesHollow Candles
Uses hollow bodies for rising candles and filled bodies for falling candles.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Read the body direction using open and close, then check the wicks. Do not import color conventions from another platform.
Chart typesBaseline
Distinguishes the price path on either side of a reference baseline.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Compare the path with the displayed baseline. Its colored areas are not your account profit or loss.
Chart typesLine with Markers
Adds visible markers to the points of a price line.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Use markers to locate observations, then inspect their values with the crosshair. Markers are not individual executions.
Chart typesStep Line
Connects successive price values with horizontal and vertical steps.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Read each step as a visual connection between observations. Its flat part does not mean that no trading occurred.
Chart typesHLC Area
Combines a price line with a band representing highs and lows.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Compare the line with the high–low envelope. Check the selected line source instead of assuming every line uses close.
Chart typesVolume Candles
Varies candle body width according to supplied volume.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Compare widths within the same view and read actual volume in the legend. Missing volume cannot establish low activity.
Chart typesColumns
Draws each closing price as a column rising from the pane floor.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Read the price axis and OHLC legend to interpret a column. This chart type is separate from the volume overlay.
Chart typesHistogram
Draws closing prices from the visible range low, emphasizing differences between closes.
How to use
- Open the chart type picker in the chart toolbar, search for the name and select it.
- Compare the same instrument and timeframe before and after switching.
Interpretation limits
Check the price values before comparing column heights. It is not automatically a MACD histogram or a volume study.