When I first opened TradingView, I was completely overwhelmed. There were candles, bars, lines, and menus. It felt like I was stepping into the cockpit of an airplane I didn’t know how to fly. But over time, I realized that I needed to focus on the basics. These basics include candles, timeframes, and layouts. With this focus, I actually start trading with confidence.
I want to share my experience step by step so beginners can understand TradingView without feeling lost.
Why I Use Candlestick Charts
I mostly stick to candlesticks because they show the real fight between buyers and sellers. Every candle tells a story:
- The body shows whether buyers or sellers are in control.
- The wicks show the highest and lowest prices during that period.
- The color shows whether the price went up or down.
Candlesticks are the clearest way for me to see live rejections and traps. I can watch how bulls and bears battle in real time, which is extremely helpful for deciding where to enter or exit trades.
Choosing the Right Timeframe
I’ve tested many timeframes—yearly, monthly, weekly, and intraday. Each shows a different picture, but for my style, intraday trading works best.
TradingView lets me use a 4-minute candle, which is perfect for spotting traps and reversals. One-minute charts are too noisy, and five-minute charts don’t give me enough opportunities. Of course, TradingView also has default timeframes like 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 month, or even 1 year—but for day trading, I’ve found 4-minute candles to be just right.
Looking at Multiple Timeframes
I don’t just focus on one chart. I use multi-timeframe analysis.
For example, I look at a 1-day candle to understand the overall market trend and then trade on a 4-minute chart based on that trend.
I also use pivot points to make trading easier. They show me if bulls are defending a key support or if bears are getting stronger. Pivot points give clear levels to watch, which reduces confusion and helps me trade more confidently.
If you want to learn more about using pivot points in detail, check out my guide here:
👉 How I Use Pivot Points on TradingView Charts
Alerts: My Trading Lifeline
Alerts are like breathing for me—I can’t trade without them.
I follow a mechanical system with clear rules for entering and exiting trades. Alerts save me from staring at the screen all day. When an alert goes off, I check it and decide whether to trade or skip it. It’s a simple way to stay disciplined and save time.
Multi-Chart Layouts: Seeing the Bigger Picture
TradingView lets me open multiple charts side by side. This helps me see whether bulls are holding a key level or if bears are gaining strength.
I usually keep my layouts simple. My main chart is on one side. A higher timeframe chart is on another side. Sometimes, I add a news or watchlist chart in a corner. This helps me stay focused and make quick decisions.
Indicators and Custom Scripts
TradingView has lots of built-in indicators, but I mostly use my own custom indicators. Almost all of them are unique—you won’t find them publicly.
For example, I have an indicator that alerts me when the market trend changes from higher highs to lower highs, or when price is likely to pull back. These alerts happen bar by bar, which saves me hours of screen-watching.
TradingView also has a helpful community with moderators, groups, and resources. You can learn to make your own indicators and even test your strategies using the Strategy Tester. It’s a bit tricky at first, but once you get it, you can see how your trading ideas would have worked in the past. Professionals use this all the time to check their strategies before risking real money.
Bar Replay: Learning from the Past
One of my favorite tools is Bar Replay. It lets me replay historical price action candle by candle. I use it to practice setups and improve my trading without risking money. It’s like a training tool that lets you learn from past moves and understand how your strategies would have performed.
Watchlists and Color Tagging
I organize my watchlists using colors. For example:
- Red for stocks I might short intraday
- Violet for positional trades
- Other colors for different categories
TradingView allows unlimited watchlists, which keeps me organized and ready to react quickly when the market moves.
Final Thoughts
When I first started, I used the free plan. It worked, but I quickly realized there were limits: only one chart at a time, basic alerts, and restricted features for custom indicators.
Upgrading to a paid plan, starting with Essential, changed everything. Suddenly, I could open multiple charts, set up advanced alerts, and use my custom indicators without restrictions. It made trading simpler, faster, and more professional.
If you’re new, I recommend either starting with a free trial or paying for just one month. This way, you can explore all the features, practice your setups, and see if TradingView fits your style—without committing long-term. By the end of the trial or first month, you’ll know exactly whether you want to continue or upgrade later.
The Essential plan is enough for beginners to get a feel of premium features without being overwhelmed. You get more charts, smarter alerts, and the freedom to explore custom tools, while still learning step by step.