2.1 Why TradingView?

Before we dive into setup, let's remind ourselves why TradingView is perfect for learning:

  • Free to use — No credit card required, no trial expiration
  • Works in your browser — No heavy software downloads
  • Works for Forex AND Crypto — Switch between markets instantly
  • Clean, modern interface — Easy to learn, even as a beginner
  • Available on mobile — Check charts anytime, anywhere
  • Huge community — Millions of traders share ideas and education
Para sa Filipino Traders

TradingView works well even on slower internet connections. You can access it from any device—laptop, tablet, or smartphone. And because it's web-based, you don't need a powerful computer.

The Free Plan is Perfect for Beginners

You might see ads for paid plans (Pro, Pro+, Premium), but you don't need them yet.

The free plan gives you everything you need to learn:

  • Real-time data for most Forex and Crypto markets
  • 2 indicators per chart (forces you to keep things simple—a good thing!)
  • Drawing tools (trendlines, horizontal lines, etc.)
  • 1 saved chart layout

Once you're consistently profitable, you can consider upgrading. But for now, free is perfect.

2.2 Creating Your Free Account

Let's set up your account together. Grab your phone or laptop and follow along.

Go to TradingView.com

Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge—any works).

Type: www.tradingview.com

You'll land on the TradingView homepage.

Click "Get Started" or "Sign Up"

Look at the top right corner—you'll see a button that says "Get Started" (desktop) or "Sign Up" (mobile).

Click that button.

Choose Your Sign-Up Method

Option A: Sign Up with Google (Recommended)

If you have Gmail, this is fastest. Click "Continue with Google," select your account—done!

Other Options:

  • Facebook: Click "Continue with Facebook"
  • Apple: Click "Continue with Apple"
  • Email: Enter email, create username/password, verify via email

Complete Your Profile (Optional)

TradingView might ask:

  • "What brings you to TradingView?" → Select "Trading" or "Learning"
  • "What markets?" → Select "Forex" and "Crypto"
  • "Experience level?" → Select "Beginner"

You can skip these if you want—they're just for personalization.

You're In!

Congratulations! You now have a free TradingView account. 🎉

Open the Chart

At the top of the page, look for the navigation menu. Find "Chart" (sometimes under "Products" → "Chart").

Click it.

You're now on the TradingView charting platform. This is where all the magic happens.

2.3 Understanding the Free Plan Limits

Before customizing your chart, let's understand what the free plan allows:

Free Plan Features:

  • Real-time data for most Forex pairs and Crypto markets
  • 2 indicators per chart (this is the main limitation)
  • 1 saved chart layout
  • Unlimited drawing tools (trendlines, support/resistance lines)
  • Basic alerts (price alerts)
  • Access on desktop and mobile
The 2-Indicator Limit: Your Best Friend

Here's the truth: The 2-indicator limit is actually a GOOD thing for beginners.

Why? Because it forces you to keep things simple. Professional traders use 2-4 indicators maximum. Beginners who load 10 indicators get confused and paralyzed.

Your game plan:

  • Indicator Slot 1: Use a Trend Indicator (like Moving Average)
  • Indicator Slot 2: Use a Momentum Indicator (like RSI or MACD)

This combination gives you direction (trend) and strength (momentum). Plus, Volume doesn't count toward your limit!

2.4 Understanding the Interface

When you first open TradingView, it can feel overwhelming. Let's break down the main areas:

Area
What It Does
Chart (center)
Shows price movements (candlesticks). This is your main workspace.
Symbol search (top left)
Choose which market to view (EURUSD, BTCUSD, etc.)
Timeframe buttons
1m, 5m, 15m, 1H, 4H, 1D—controls how much time each candle represents
Indicators button ("fx")
Add indicators to your chart (most important button for this chapter!)
Chart type button
Switch between Candles, Bars, Line, etc. (always use Candles)
Left sidebar (Watchlist)
Save favorite markets for quick access
Right sidebar (News/Ideas)
Extra info—you can close this to keep chart clean
Bottom panel
Where some indicators (RSI, MACD) appear
Layouts button (bottom right)
Save your chart setup for later

Feeling overwhelmed? That's normal. You don't need to memorize everything right now. As you practice, the interface will become second nature.

2.5 Setting Up Your First Chart

Now comes the fun part: customizing your chart. Let's do this step by step.

Change the Market Symbol

For Forex: Click symbol search box → Type EURUSD → Select "EURUSD OANDA" (or FXCM, FOREX.COM)

For Crypto: Click symbol search box → Type BTCUSDT → Select "BTCUSDT BINANCE"

Pro tip: Most Forex pairs are XXX/USD. Most Crypto pairs are XXX/USDT (Tether = stablecoin pegged to USD).

Choose Your Timeframe

For Forex traders: Click 4H (4-Hour). Great balance—not too fast, not too slow.

For Crypto traders: Click 1H (1-Hour) or 1D (Daily). Crypto moves faster, so 1H is popular.

Make Sure You're Viewing Candlesticks

Look at the chart type button near the top (looks like bars or candles).

Click it and select "Candles".

Green/white candles = bullish (closed higher). Red/black candles = bearish (closed lower).

Clean Up the Chart

Your chart might have extra panels at the bottom (Volume, Economic Calendar, News Feed).

To keep things clean: Look for small "X" icons in corner of each panel and close them.

Don't worry—you can add them back anytime.

Adjust Theme (Optional)

Click the gear icon (Settings) → Select "Appearance" or "Theme"

Dark Theme: Easier on eyes during long sessions

Light Theme: Clearer for daytime study or screenshots

Recommendation: Stick with default candle colors—green for up, red for down.

Save Your Layout

Look at bottom right—find the cloud icon or "Layouts" button.

Click it → Select "Save As…"

Name it something clear: "Forex 4H Clean" or "Crypto 1H Setup"

Click "Save"

Congratulations! Your layout is now saved. 🎉

2.6 How to Add Indicators

Now the exciting part: adding indicators. Remember, you can add 2 indicators per chart on the free plan.

Click the "Indicators" Button

At the top of your chart, look for "Indicators" or the "fx" icon. Click it.

A large panel will slide in showing thousands of indicators.

Add Your First Indicator: Moving Average

At the top of the indicators panel, type: "Moving Average"

Click the first result: "Moving Average" (by TradingView)

A line will appear on your chart—this is your moving average!

Add Your Second Indicator: RSI

Click "Indicators" button again

Type: "RSI"

Click "Relative Strength Index" (first result)

A new panel appears below your chart showing RSI (line moving between 0-100 with lines at 30 and 70)

You've Hit Your 2-Indicator Limit

You now have:

  • Indicator 1: Moving Average (on main chart)
  • Indicator 2: RSI (in panel below)

If you try adding a third, TradingView will show: "You've reached the indicator limit."

That's normal. 2 indicators are enough!

2.7 Customizing Indicator Settings

Let's customize the Moving Average to match what we teach in this course.

Customizing the Moving Average

Open Settings Panel

Look at top left of chart—you'll see "MA 9" (or "SMA 9")

Click the small gear icon next to it, OR right-click the MA line → Select "Settings"

Change Period to 50

In settings panel, find "Length" or "Period" field

Change from 9 to 50

Why 50? The 50-period MA is popular for identifying medium-term trends—not too fast, not too slow.

Set to SMA (Simple Moving Average)

Look for "Type" or "Method" dropdown

Make sure it's set to SMA (not EMA or anything else)

Change the Color

Find the color box and choose a color that stands out:

  • Bright yellow: Easy to see on dark backgrounds
  • White: Clean and professional
  • Cyan/light blue: Clear but not harsh

Avoid colors that blend with candles (like red or green).

Adjust Line Thickness (Optional)

Look for "Width" or "Thickness" setting

Change from 1 to 2 or 3 so it's easier to see

Don't go too thick (5-6)—it can cover your candlesticks.

Click "OK" or "Apply"

Settings panel closes and your MA updates with new settings

You now have a 50-period SMA in your chosen color! 🎉

Customizing the RSI

RSI Settings

Look at the RSI panel—you'll see "RSI 14" at the top left. Click the gear icon to open settings.

Keep Period at 14: This is the standard setting used by most traders. No need to change.

Customize colors (optional): Change line to white, yellow, or cyan if easier to read. The default overbought (70)/oversold (30) zones are usually fine.

Click "OK" when done.

2.8 Managing Your Indicators

How to Toggle Indicators On/Off

Sometimes you want to focus on price action alone, without indicators cluttering your view.

To hide an indicator: Look at indicator labels (like "MA 50"). Next to each is a small eye icon 👁️. Click it—indicator disappears (but isn't deleted).

To show it again: Click the eye icon again.

How to Remove and Replace Indicators

What if you want to swap RSI for MACD?

Remove Current Indicator

Look at indicator label (like "RSI 14")

Click the small "X" icon next to it, OR right-click → "Remove"

Add New Indicator

Now you have an open slot. Click "Indicators" → Search "MACD" → Add it

Customize and Save

Adjust settings if needed, then save layout again

Pro Tip

You can test different indicators without upgrading to paid plan. Just swap them in and out as needed!

Practice Tasks (Complete These!)

Task 1: Set Up Your First Clean Chart
  • Go to TradingView.com and create your free account
  • Open the Chart
  • Change symbol to BTCUSDT (Bitcoin)
  • Set timeframe to 1D (Daily)
  • Make sure chart type is Candles
  • Clean up extra panels (close news, calendar, etc.)
  • Save layout as "Crypto Daily Clean"
Task 2: Add and Customize Moving Average
  • On your BTCUSDT chart, click "Indicators"
  • Search "Moving Average" and add it
  • Customize: Change period to 50, set to SMA, choose bright color, thickness 2
  • Click "OK"
  • Observation: Is Bitcoin price mostly above or below the 50 MA?
Task 3: Add RSI
  • Click "Indicators" again
  • Search "RSI" and add it
  • Panel appears below chart showing RSI line
  • Keep period at 14, customize colors if desired
  • Observation: Is RSI currently above or below 50?
Task 4: Save Complete Layout
  • Click cloud/layouts button (bottom right)
  • Select "Save As…"
  • Name it: "Beginner Trend + RSI"
  • Click "Save"
Task 5: Switch to Forex
  • Click symbol search box
  • Type EURUSD and select it (OANDA or any broker)
  • Your indicators stay on chart
  • Change timeframe to 4H
  • Observation: Is EURUSD in uptrend or downtrend? (Price above or below 50 MA?)
Task 6: Practice Toggling Indicators
  • Click eye icon next to "MA 50" to hide it
  • Look at chart with just price and RSI
  • Click eye icon again to show MA
  • Now hide RSI, then show it again

Common Questions

Q1: "Can I use TradingView without creating an account?"
You can view charts without an account, but you cannot save layouts or customize indicators. Creating a free account takes 2 minutes and unlocks all features you need.
Q2: "Do I need to pay for TradingView?"
No, not yet. The free plan is perfect for learning. Once you're profitable and want more advanced features, you can upgrade—but there's no rush.
Q3: "Why only 2 indicators? Isn't that limiting?"
It's actually a blessing. The 2-indicator limit forces you to keep things simple, which is exactly what successful traders do. Most pros use 2-4 indicators total.
Q4: "Can I use TradingView on my phone?"
Yes! Download the free TradingView app (Android or iOS). Your account and layouts sync automatically. But don't trade from phone yet—use it only for checking charts.
Q5: "Should I use same indicators for Forex AND Crypto?"
Yes. The 50 MA and RSI work well for both. The principles are the same—only market volatility differs. Stick with same tools for consistency.
Congratulations! 🎉

You've successfully created your TradingView account, learned the interface, set up a clean chart, added your first indicators, and saved your layout!

This is a HUGE milestone. Many beginners never get past this step—they get overwhelmed and give up. But you didn't. You pushed through!