The first question, which comes to the mind of a reader, is that what Forex chart is? Like every other chart, Forex chart too, is a visual projection of some data and in the case of Forex data, the chart presents the historical price trends and price mechanism in a pictorial illustration. Normally a chart traces the change in price on the Y-axis and change in time on the X-axis. The presentation of the charts generally differ because of the varying frequencies on which Forex market operate and also due to the massive amount of data, which is generated all over the globe.
Though apparently Forex charts seem to be quite difficult to understand but in fact currency charts are not much different from the stock charts. With little background knowledge and a general understanding of the currency market even a novice trader can read and interpret them easily. If a trader wants to read a Forex chart, then first he has to select some specific currency pair and the desired time period for each bar of the chart. The presentation of a real time forex chart also depends on the Forex trading system which is being uses for the trading purposes. line charts, OHLC charts* and candle stick charts are the typically used types of the charts.
Having chosen the currency pair, you must quote the pairs in the left to right order. For example EUR/USD is always quoted with the EUR being the base currency and USD being the quote currency.
So if in a real time forex chart of the USD/EURY that current 5 minute candle is fluctuating around 1.3000 then it means that 1 EUR is equivalent to around 1.3000 USD.
Different time frames from 1 minute, 5 minutes, hourly etc. can be chosen to project the data; the time frames used are dependent on the forex trading system in use by the trader or the broker. Each system tends to employ a different time frame to confirm the patterns and trends.
If a trader acquires the currency pair (going long), the trade will go in his direction if the chart goes up, it means that the base currency is escalating against the quote currency. If the trader disposes of the pair then he will desire the pair to fall; that means that the chart should go down to show the trade in the trader's favour.
time frame is really crucial so always confirm which time frame you are referring to, while consulting a chart because some charts present data in multiple time frames.
Most forex charts plot the BID price, so be careful that when entering a trade to place buy orders then you will get ASK price, i.e., the bid price added with the spread.
Always keep in mind the time zone your chart relates to and adjust the major economics assertion to that time zone. If the candlestick charts are being used then confirm the times at the bottom of the chart correspond to opening or closing time of the candles.
Forex traders invest at varying frequencies. And charting comes in as a really handy too to interpret the data flowing all over the currency market.





