Module 10: Timeframes
Key Takeaways
- A timeframe is the duration each candle represents.
- Lower timeframes = more detail and noise; higher = clearer trend.
- Multi-timeframe analysis aligns the big picture with precise entries.
1 minute & 5 minutes
Very fast and noisy. Used by scalpers for quick in-and-out trades. Demanding and stressful for beginners.
15 minutes
Popular for intraday entries. Balances detail with a bit less noise than the 1–5m.
1 hour
A favourite for day traders — enough structure to plan trades while still active during a session.
4 hours
Great for swing traders. Shows clear trends and structure with manageable noise.
Daily
Each candle = one day. Excellent for identifying the dominant trend and key levels.
Weekly
Each candle = one week. The macro view for long-term bias and major support/resistance.
Multi-timeframe analysis
Pros use several timeframes together: a higher timeframe (e.g. daily) for trend direction, a middle timeframe (4h/1h) for setups, and a lower timeframe (15m/5m) for precise entries. Trading in the direction of the higher timeframe trend dramatically improves your odds.
Choose timeframes that match your lifestyle. If you can’t watch screens all day, swing trade the 4h and daily instead of scalping the 1m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start higher (1h, 4h, daily). They’re calmer, give you time to think, and teach cleaner structure.