How to See Pre Market on TradingView: Complete Guide
Seeing those pre-market moves on TradingView is a game-changer, but you have to know where to flip the switch first. It's simpler than you might think. This guide will walk you through turning on Extended Trading Hours on the web, desktop, and mobile apps. We'll also cover how to use the stock screener during this time and what to do if those early candles just won't show up.
Whether you're a day trader looking for gap-ups, keeping an eye on overnight news, or just want the full picture before the opening bell, getting pre-market data on TradingView only takes a few clicks and works across all your devices.
What “pre-market” really means on TradingView
Think of "pre-market" on TradingView as part of a larger feature called Extended Trading Hours (ETH). This includes the trading that happens before the regular session (pre-market) and after it ends (after-hours) for many stocks and ETFs.
Once you enable it, TradingView will show this extra activity as additional candles on your intraday charts. To make it even easier to spot, it often shades the background of the pre- and post-market areas, giving you a clear visual separation from the main trading day. Just remember, the exact data available depends on what your specific exchange supports.
Want to see how a stock is moving in after-hours trading without any fuss? TradingView has a super quick shortcut for that.
Look at the bottom-right corner of your chart, right next to the clock. You'll see a little button that says either "RTH" or "ETH."
- RTH stands for Regular Trading Hours (the main market session, usually 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET).
- ETH stands for Extended Trading Hours (pre-market and after-hours sessions).
If your chart is only showing the main day and the button says "RTH," just click it! It will instantly switch to "ETH" and populate your chart with pre-market and after-hours candlesticks on supported intraday timeframes (like the 1-minute or 5-minute chart).
It’s the fastest way to get the full picture of a stock's daily activity. If you're also looking to expand your TradingView skills, check out our guide on how to overlay charts on TradingView for advanced analysis techniques.
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| ETH/RTH Toggle | A one-click button to instantly switch your chart view between regular and extended trading hours. |
| Location | Bottom-right of the TradingView chart, next to the clock. |
| Visual Cue | Displays pre-market and after-hours candles on your intraday charts. |
How to See Pre-Market Trading on Your Desktop Chart
Want to get a head start on the trading day? Seeing pre-market price action can give you a clearer picture of where a stock might be headed when the regular bell rings. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to turn it on.
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Switch to an Intraday View: First, make sure your chart is set to an intraday timeframe, like 5-minute or 15-minute candles. The pre- and post-market data (also called Extended Hours) only shows up on these more detailed views, not on daily or weekly charts.
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Turn on Extended Trading Hours (ETH): Now, look at the bottom-right corner of your chart. You'll see a session indicator (it probably says "RTH"). Click on it and select "ETH". Like magic, you should now see lighter-colored candles appear before the main market opens and after it closes for supported stocks.
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Another Way to Enable It: If you prefer menus, you can also right-click anywhere on the chart or click the chart settings icon (it often looks like a gear or wrench). From there, look for "Symbol Settings" or "Sessions" and change the session type from "Regular Trading Hours" to "Extended Trading Hours."
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Make it Easier on the Eyes (Optional): All those extra hours can make the chart look busy. To help distinguish them, you can change the background color for the pre- and post-market sessions. Dive into your chart's general settings and look for an option like "Pre/Post Session Shading" to pick a subtle color.
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Need to Go Back? No problem! To revert to the standard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM view, just go back to that bottom-right session indicator and toggle it from "ETH" back to "RTH". Your chart will instantly snap back to the regular trading day.
And that's it! You're now set up to see the full picture, even before the opening bell.
How to See Pre-Market on TradingView Mobile
Want to keep an eye on how a stock is doing before the regular trading day even kicks off? It's super easy to do right from your phone. TradingView's mobile app lets you see pre-market and after-hours action, so you're never out of the loop.
Here’s how to turn it on:
- Open the chart for the stock you're watching.
- Tap the "Settings" icon (it looks like a little gear or wrench).
- Look for the option labeled "Sessions" or "Extended Trading Hours."
- Simply toggle the switch to enable ETH.
Once you do that, you'll start seeing the pre-market price movements as separate candles on your intraday charts (like the 1, 5, or 15-minute timeframes). It's that simple—just a few taps and you're all set.
| Step | Action | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Chart | Select the stock or asset you want to analyze. |
| 2 | Access Settings | Tap the gear/wrench icon in the top toolbar. |
| 3 | Find the Setting | Navigate to "Sessions" or "Extended Trading Hours". |
| 4 | Enable | Toggle on the ETH (Extended Hours) option. |
Find pre-market movers with the Screener
Want to see which stocks are moving before the opening bell? TradingView's Screener has you covered. It includes a special "Extended Hours" tab that shows you live data exactly when the pre-market session is happening.
Just remember, this tab only populates with data during the actual pre-market or after-hours windows. If you check it in the middle of the regular trading day or on a weekend, it will be empty. For those times, you can either check back when the next extended session starts, or pull up an Extended Hours Trading (ETH) chart to look at historical pre-market moves on a stock's chart.
A Simple Routine for Your Pre-Market Analysis
Here’s a straightforward routine I like to follow before the market opens. It helps me get a clear picture of what might happen at the opening bell.
First, I set up my charts. I make sure I'm looking at the ETH (Extended Trading Hours) setting and shade the backgrounds so the pre-market and post-market periods are visually distinct from the regular session. This makes it super easy to see the action that happened before the bell.
Next, I focus on the pre-market high and low prices. These two levels are crucial because they often form the upper and lower boundaries of the initial trading range once the market opens. I use them to frame my opening range.
While I'm doing that, I pop open the Screener’s Extended Hours tab. This tool is great for spotting stocks showing relative strength or weakness compared to the overall market before the opening. When I see a symbol that stands out, I just click on it to jump straight into its chart. This lets me see the pre-market structure—where it found support or resistance—and helps me solidify my game plan.
It’s a clean way to connect the broader market view with what individual stocks are telling you.
Making Your Chart Easier to Read at a Glance
Here's a simple trick to make your charts instantly clearer: adjust the background colors for the pre-market and post-market sessions.
By making the extended-hours area a distinct, subtle shade, you create a clear visual separation from the regular trading day candles. This doesn't mean using bright, overwhelming colors. The goal is to create a gentle visual cue, not to distract from your main chart setup.
This way, you can quickly measure the pre-market range and spot any gaps up or down, while your regular trading hours still stand out prominently during the main action of the day. It’s like having a faint highlight on the important background info without it getting in the way.
Understanding TradingView's Extended Hours Data
So, you've heard about TradingView's Extended Hours feature and you're excited to see what a stock does before the opening bell. It's a super useful tool, but sometimes it can be a bit confusing when the data doesn't show up as expected. Let's break down why that happens.
Essentially, this feature lets you view pre-market and after-hours trading activity. However, it's not available for every single stock or ETF out there. Whether or not you see this data depends on the specific company and the exchange it's traded on. This means that even with the Extended Hours setting turned on, some symbols simply won't display pre-market or after-hours data because their respective exchanges don't provide it.
To get this working, there are two simple things to check:
- Symbol Support: First, make sure the stock or ETF you're looking at actually supports an extended trading session. It's a bummer, but not all of them do.
- Chart Settings: Second, ensure your intraday chart isn't locked to "Regular Trading Hours" (RTH). You'll find this setting on the chart itself. If it's set to RTH only, it will intentionally filter out all the extended session action.
Once you've confirmed both of those points, you should be all set to see the full picture of a trading day.
Troubleshooting: When You Can't See Pre-Market Data
So, you're all set to check the pre-market action, but the data just isn't showing up. Don't worry, it's a common hiccup. Let's walk through the usual suspects, step by step, to get it sorted out.
First, Check Your Chart's Timeframe
This is the number one thing to look for. Pre-market and after-hours data (together called "Extended Hours") only show up on intraday charts. Think of timeframes like 1-minute, 5-minute, or 15-minute charts. If you're looking at a daily or weekly chart, you won't see this data. So, first things first, zoom in on an intraday view.
Find the "ETH" Toggle
On the web platform, look for a toggle button in the bottom-right corner of your chart. You want it to say ETH (Extended Trading Hours). If it says RTH (Regular Trading Hours), just give it a click to switch it to ETH. This is like flipping the switch to turn on the view for data outside the standard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET session.
The Data Might Not Be Available
Sometimes, the issue isn't on your end. If you have ETH turned on and you're on an intraday chart but still see nothing, here are a couple of possibilities:
- The Symbol Doesn't Support It: Not every stock or ETF has extended hours trading data available. This is especially true for some low-volume stocks or securities on certain exchanges.
- The Session Isn't Active Yet: Pre-market sessions have their own schedule (typically 4:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET). If you're checking outside of that window, there simply won't be any data to display.
A Quick Note on the Screener
If you're using the Screener's "Extended Hours" tab, remember it's a live tool. It will only show you stocks that are currently moving in the pre-market or after-hours sessions. You'll need to check it while the extended session is actively running to see any results.
Don't Forget About Mobile
The same basic rules apply on the mobile app, just the menus are in a slightly different place.
- Open the chart for the symbol you're watching.
- Tap into the chart settings (often a gear icon or a "Settings" option).
- Look for an option like "Extended Trading Hours" or "Show Extended Hours" and make sure it's enabled.
- Finally, double-check that you're on an intraday timeframe and that the symbol is one that supports this kind of data.
| Platform | Key Setting to Check | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Web | Toggle in chart's bottom-right to ETH | An intraday timeframe (e.g., 5-minute chart) |
| Mobile | "Extended Trading Hours" in chart settings | An intraday timeframe and a supported symbol |
In short, it almost always comes down to your chart settings (timeframe and ETH toggle) or the simple availability of data for that particular stock. Running through this quick checklist should get you back on track.
Time-saving shortcuts and habits
Here's a little secret that saves me a ton of time: I use the ETH toggle in the bottom-right corner as my go-to button for flipping between trading sessions. Think of it as your quick-switch. I only dive into the full settings menu when I really need to fine-tune something specific, like shading or other visual details.
Once you've got your ETH session looking just right, make sure you save your strategy in TradingView. It's a simple step, but it's a game-changer. This way, your pre-market setup—with all your levels and markings—stays perfectly visible. The best part? It automatically applies to other symbols and sessions, so you don't have to rebuild your view from scratch every single time.
Pre-market strategy ideas you can build
Once you can see the pre-market action, a great next step is to map out its highs and lows. I like to use these levels as potential guides for the first hour of the regular trading day. Think of them as areas where the stock might either break out or reverse.
To make this even clearer, I use a shaded background on my charts to instantly highlight that extended pre-market range. It helps me see the playing field at a glance.
Here's a simple routine you can try:
- Screen for the big movers: Start by filtering for the stocks moving the most in pre-market.
- Check the charts: Pull up their charts and make sure you have the Extended Hours (ETH) data turned on.
- Spot the liquidity: Take note of where the price has been consolidating or bouncing around before the open. These are the key zones I use to plan my entry and, just as importantly, where to place my stop.
Mobile vs Desktop: When to Use Each
Think of your desktop setup as your main command center. It's perfect for building out detailed layouts, using screener panels, and really digging into all the customization options for things like pre and post-market shading.
Your mobile app, on the other hand, is your on-the-go scanner. It's super easy to quickly check key ETH ranges and see what's happening with levels when you're away from your desk.
Here’s a simple way to use both together: during your commute, use your phone's Screener Extended Hours view (when it's live) to spot potential candidates. Then, when you're back at your desk, you can pull up the detailed desktop layout to finalize your execution plan before the market opens.
Getting the Most Out of Extended Hours Data
When you're looking at pre-market or after-hours activity on TradingView, it's easy to jump to conclusions if things look off. Here are a couple of common hiccups and how to steer clear of them.
Don't Mistake Missing Data for a Broken Feature
If you pull up a chart and don't see any pre-market candles, your first thought might be that the feature isn't working. But most of the time, that's not the case.
Usually, it's for one of two simple reasons:
- The specific stock or symbol you're viewing simply doesn't have extended hours trading data available.
- You're trying to check the chart outside of the actual pre-market or after-hours trading sessions. The data will only appear during those specific windows.
Remember to Check Your Timeframe
This is the one that gets almost everyone at least once! The Extended Hours (ETH) data is designed to work with intraday timeframes.
So, if your chart is set to a daily (1D), weekly (1W), or monthly (1M) view, you won't see the separate pre-market and after-hours candles. The feature works differently on those non-intraday layouts.
The fix is simple: Just make sure you've switched your chart to an intraday timeframe, like 1-minute, 5-minute, or 1-hour. You should see those extended session candles appear right away.
Your Quick Guide to Finding Pre-Market Data
Trying to see how a stock is moving before the opening bell? Here’s exactly where to look on the platform to get that pre-market data.
| Location | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Bottom-right of the chart, near the clock | Click the toggle to switch between "RTH" (Regular Trading Hours) and "ETH" (Extended Trading Hours). This instantly shows you the pre-market action for symbols that support it. |
| Chart Settings → Symbol/Sessions | Change the session type from "Regular Trading Hours" to "Extended Trading Hours." This is also where you can adjust the background shading for the pre-market and post-market periods, making them visually distinct from the main trading day. |
| The Screener → Extended Hours tab | This special tab only appears and becomes active when the pre-market or after-hours sessions are actually live. It's the perfect tool for scanning the biggest movers and data specifically from the extended session. |
How to confirm ETH is active
Wondering if the Extended Hours (ETH) setting is actually working? It's easy to check. Just take a quick look at the session label near your chart's clock. If it says "ETH," you're good to go.
You'll also notice your chart now displays extra candles before the market officially opens and after it closes. For an even clearer picture, if you have the pre/post-market background shading turned on, you'll see those extended-hour candles appear inside a subtly shaded area. Seeing that shaded background is a surefire, immediate way to confirm everything is active and running correctly.
Platform support and learning resources
Getting these features set up is easier than you might think. Whether you're on a computer, phone, or tablet, there are clear, step-by-step tutorials that walk you through the latest steps for activating pre-market data, shading, and the fast ETH toggle.
| Platform | Resource Type | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Web, Desktop & Mobile | Video Tutorials | Enabling pre-market, shading, and fast ETH toggling. |
| TradingView Charts | Official Written Guides | Finding the ETH option on intraday charts and session controls. |
If you're someone who prefers to read at your own pace, TradingView’s own helpful written guides point you directly to where these settings live.
Your Pre-Market & After-Hours Questions, Answered
Here are answers to some common questions about viewing extended hours trading on TradingView.
Q: Where is the ETH toggle to turn on pre-market in TradingView? A: It's not a toggle in a menu! Look all the way at the bottom-right corner of the chart itself, right next to the clock. You'll see a label for the session (like "RTH"). Just click on that label to switch it to "ETH," and you'll see the pre-market data on charts that support it.
Q: Why does the Screener Extended Hours tab look empty? A: The Screener only populates that tab when the extended trading session is actually live. If you check it outside of pre-market or after-hours times, it will be blank. You'll need to check back while pre-market is actively running to see data there.
Q: Do I need a special add-on to see pre-market candles? A: Nope, no special add-on is needed. The ability to see extended hours is built-in. Just remember that it only works on intraday timeframes (like 1-minute or 5-minute charts), and it ultimately depends on whether the specific stock or ETF you're looking at has data available from its exchange for those sessions.
Q: How do I shade pre-market and after-hours differently from the regular day? A: You can make these sessions stand out visually. Open your chart settings and find the "Sessions" tab (it might be called "Appearance" in some versions). Once you enable Extended Trading Hours, you'll see options to customize the background color for pre-market and post-market, giving you a clear, colored separation from the regular trading day.
Q: Can I do this on the TradingView mobile app? A: Yes, you can! On the mobile app, just open the settings for your chart, find the option for "Extended Trading Hours," and turn it on. Just like on the desktop, you'll need to be using an intraday timeframe to see the pre-market and after-hours candles while you're on the go.
Q: Why do some symbols show no pre-market even with ETH enabled? A: This is a common head-scratcher. The main reason is that not every stock, ETF, or exchange provides data for trading outside of regular hours. So, even with ETH turned on, if you don't see any candles, it likely means that particular symbol doesn't have extended sessions, or the extended session hasn't started yet for the day.
Next steps
Here’s how to get pre-market and after-hours trading set up just right, so it works for you from the moment you open your charts.
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Set ETH as Your Default: First, flip the switch to enable Extended Hours Trading (ETH). You'll find this toggle in the bottom-right corner of your chart. Once it's on, save your layout. This ensures your charts will always show pre and post-market price action on supported stocks by default.
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Make it Visually Yours: To make those extended trading sessions stand out, play with the background shading for the pre-market and after-hours areas. A subtle tint can make a big difference. For finding the big movers, add the "Extended Hours" tab from the Screener directly to your workspace.
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Watch and Learn: If you're someone who prefers to see things in action, we have a short, focused tutorial that walks you through setting up ETH on web, desktop, and mobile. Watch it, then apply the steps to fine-tune your own layout for your specific trading style.
Your Quick Guide to Extended-Hours Trading
Trading doesn't stop when the closing bell rings, and your charts don't have to either. Here’s a straightforward guide to setting up and using Extended-Hours Trading (ETH) data, so you never miss a beat.
📈 See Extended Hours on Your Charts You can easily toggle ETH data on and off directly from your chart. Look for the "ETH" toggle, usually in the bottom-right corner. Alternatively, you can dive into your Sessions settings for more granular control over which sessions you want to display.
🔍 Find Pre- and Post-Market Movers Want to see which stocks are active after hours? Head over to the Screener and click on the "Extended Hours" tab. A quick heads-up: this tab will only populate with data and show movers while the pre-market or post-market sessions are actually in progress.
🎨 Customize Your Chart's Look To make pre-market action easier to read at a glance, you can customize the shading on your charts. Setting a distinct background color for the pre- and post-market sessions helps you visually separate that price range from the regular trading day.
⚠️ A Quick Check for Data If you're not seeing extended-hours candles on your chart, don't worry—it's usually a simple fix. First, make sure that the specific stock or ETF you're looking up actually has extended-hours trading data available. Second, check that its exchange supports providing this data. If both of those boxes are checked, the candles should appear.
📱 Take It On the Go Good news—your mobile app supports extended-hours trading too! The settings and overall workflow are very similar to the desktop experience, so you can seamlessly track the markets from anywhere. If you're interested in exploring other trading instruments, you might also want to learn how to trade options on TradingView for additional strategies.
| Feature | How to Access It | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| ETH Chart Data | Bottom-right toggle or Sessions settings. | - |
| Extended Hours Screener | Screener → "Extended Hours" tab. | Only active during extended sessions. |
| Session Shading | Customize in chart settings. | For quick visual reference. |
| Data Requirements | - | Symbol & exchange must support ETH data. |
| Mobile Access | Similar settings within the mobile app. | Consistent with desktop. |
