TIMEFRAMES

What Is a Timeframe?

A timeframe determines how much time each candle represents.

Examples:

• 1 minute
• 5 minutes
• 15 minutes
• 30 minutes
• 1 hour
• 4 hours
• Daily
• Weekly

On a 1-hour chart, each candle represents one hour.

On a Daily chart, each candle represents one day.

Why Does This Matter?

The same market can look completely different on different timeframes.

For example:

The Daily chart might show an uptrend.

The 15-minute chart could show a short-term decline.

Both can be true.

The smaller timeframe is showing a smaller section of the overall market movement.

Higher vs Lower Timeframes

Higher timeframes generally provide a broader view.

Lower timeframes provide more detail.

Neither is automatically better.

Your chosen timeframe should match your trading style.

Common Beginner Mistake

Jumping between timeframes because you don’t like what you’re seeing.

For example:

“I’ll use the 15-minute chart.”

Then the trade looks bad.

“I’ll check the 5-minute.”

Then the trade looks worse.

“I’ll check the 1-minute.”

This can create confusion.

Use timeframes intentionally.

Key Takeaways

• Timeframes determine how much time each candle represents.
• Different timeframes provide different perspectives.
• Higher timeframes provide broader context.
• Lower timeframes provide more detail.