TradingView How to Change Timeframe: Complete Guide for Traders
Getting comfortable with switching timeframes in TradingView is a game-changer for your trading. It doesn't matter if you're watching the markets all day or planning investments for the next year—knowing how to quickly zoom in and out on a chart makes your analysis so much smoother. This guide will walk you through all the different ways to change your timeframes, from simple keyboard shortcuts to setting up your own custom intervals.
Getting to Know TradingView Timeframes
Think of a timeframe as your chart's zoom lens. It determines how much trading activity gets packed into each single candlestick or bar on your screen. The timeframe you choose is deeply personal and depends entirely on your style.
- If you're a day trader, you're probably living in the 1-minute, 5-minute, or 15-minute charts.
- Swing traders often find their sweet spot with the 1-hour or 4-hour views.
- For long-term investors, the daily and weekly charts tell the most important story.
Getting your timeframe right is crucial because it directly shapes how you see trends, spot patterns, and decide when to enter or exit a trade. Learning to fluidly move between different timeframes lets you see the full picture—from the broad, long-term trends down to the short-term action. It's always a good idea, for instance, to check the weekly chart for the big picture before diving into a 15-minute chart to fine-tune your entry.
| Trading Style | Common Timeframes | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Day Trader | 1-min, 5-min, 15-min | Monitoring short-term price movements and executing quick trades. |
| Swing Trader | 1-hour, 4-hour | Capturing price swings over several days or weeks. |
| Long-Term Investor | Daily, Weekly | Analyzing major trends and making strategic investment decisions. |
Quick Method: Keyboard Shortcuts
Want to switch your TradingView chart timeframe without all the clicking? The absolute fastest way is by using keyboard shortcuts. It's just a quick number and a press of the Enter key.
Seriously, it's that simple. Just type the number for your desired timeframe and hit Enter. For example, typing 5 and pressing Enter instantly switches your chart to a 5-minute view.
To get to different time periods, you just need to know the right letter to add after your number. Here's the simple breakdown:
| Time Period | What to Type | Example (for 1 period) |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | Type the number only | 15 for 15 minutes |
| Hours | Type the number | 60 for 1 hour |
| Days | Type the number followed by "D" | 1D for a daily chart |
| Weeks | Type the number followed by "W" | 1W for a weekly chart |
| Months | Type the number followed by "M" | 1M for a monthly chart |
Once you get the hang of this, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. It's a huge time-saver, especially if you're looking at lots of charts or need to quickly see how a stock is behaving on different timeframes—from a quick 5-minute pulse check to the bigger picture on a monthly chart. No more hunting through menus; it's all right at your fingertips.
Mastering Chart Timeframes with TradingView's Buttons
Changing how far back you see on your TradingView chart is super simple, thanks to the handy row of timeframe buttons right at the top. Think of these as your favorite, go-to timeframes for a quick look.
If you click on the main interval box (it usually says something like "1D" for one day), a full menu drops down with every option you could want—from a tight 1-minute view all the way up to monthly charts.
The best part? You can customize your quick-access buttons. Just find an interval you use often in that menu and click the star icon next to it. It will instantly appear in your top row of favorites. This is a game-changer if you have a specific trading style and find yourself constantly switching between the same few views.
While there are keyboard shortcuts for this, using the buttons is just more visual and straightforward, especially when you're still getting the hang of things. It's the most natural way to zoom in and out of the market's action.
Creating Your Own Custom Timeframes
You know how sometimes the standard chart timeframes—like 5-minute or 1-hour—just don't quite fit your trading style? Maybe you're testing a strategy that works best with a 7-minute chart or a 13-hour one. The good news is, you can build these custom timeframes directly in TradingView.
Here's how to do it:
- Look at the top of your chart for the button that shows the current timeframe (like "1H" for 1 hour). Click on the little arrow next to it.
- A big menu of all the standard timeframes will drop down. Scroll all the way to the bottom of this list.
- You'll see an option to create a custom time interval. Click it.
- A small box will appear. Type in the exact number you want (for example, 7) and then choose what that number represents—minutes, hours, days, etc.
- Hit the "Add" button.
Your chart will instantly refresh and start displaying the price action in your new, perfectly tailored timeframe. This is incredibly useful if you like to experiment with strategies that don't follow the usual conventions. If you're looking to get even more out of your TradingView experience, check out our guide on TradingView Free Plan Features: What You Get (And How To Make The Most Of It) to understand what tools are available without upgrading.
One thing to keep in mind: creating these custom timeframes is a feature that requires a paid TradingView plan. If you're on the free plan, you'll likely see a prompt asking you to upgrade when you try to access it. But it's still helpful to know how the process works for when you're ready to take that step. For traders looking to enhance their TradingView experience even further, Pineify offers powerful tools to create custom indicators and strategies without coding, making it easier to test your unique trading ideas across any timeframe.
Changing Timeways on Your Phone
If you're keeping an eye on the markets while you're out and about, you'll be happy to know that adjusting the timeframes on TradingView's mobile app is a breeze.
Here's how you do it:
- Open the TradingView app and pull up your watchlist. Tap on any chart you want to dive into.
- Once the chart is open, glance at the very bottom of your screen. You'll see the trading pair name, and right next to it, the current timeframe (like "1H" for a one-hour view).
- Just tap on that timeframe indicator. A handy scrollable menu will pop up, showing you all the different intervals you can choose from.
- Scroll through the list and tap your new selection. Whether you're jumping from a 1-hour view to a daily chart, or from a daily view down to a 15-minute one, the chart updates instantly.
That's all there is to it. You get the same charting power in your pocket as you do on your desktop, so you can easily pick up where you left off, no matter which device you're using.
Getting the Full Picture: Multi-Timeframe Analysis
If you watch how seasoned traders work, you'll notice they rarely look at just one chart. They're always zooming in and out, checking what's happening on different time scales. This is multi-timeframe analysis, and it's like having a conversation with the market to understand the full story.
Instead of getting tricked by a sudden move on a 5-minute chart, you can see if it's just a blip or part of a bigger trend. TradingView makes this incredibly easy, letting you see the short-term, medium-term, and long-term action all at once. For those looking to automate their technical analysis, our Chart Pattern Scanner TradingView: Ultimate Guide to Automated Pattern Detection can help identify trading opportunities across different timeframes.
Here's a look at the tools that make it work:
| Feature | What It Lets You Do |
|---|---|
| Multiple Chart Layouts | View several charts side-by-side for a direct, visual comparison. |
| Synchronized Crosshairs | Move your cursor over one chart and see the exact same moment highlighted on all your other charts in real-time. |
| Overlay Indicators | See how a trend line or indicator from a daily chart looks when you overlay it on your hourly chart. |
| Zoom & Scale Sync | Keep your zoom level consistent across all charts, so a big move looks big on every screen. |
How to Set It Up
Getting started is simple. Just look for the "Select Layout" button in the top right corner of any TradingView chart. You can then pick the setup that fits your style:
- 2 Charts: Perfect for comparing a short-term view (like 15-minute) with a long-term view (like daily).
- 3 Charts: Great for tracking the intraday noise, the swing trade momentum, and the bigger macro trend all together.
- 4 or More Charts: For when you really want to dive deep and monitor several timeframes at once for the clearest possible picture.
It's all about stacking the odds in your favor by understanding the context of every price move.
Fine-Tune Your Chart's Time Display
Getting your charts set to the right time is more than just picking a 1-hour or 1-day candle. TradingView has a few extra tricks to make sure the clock on your screen matches your reality. One of the most important, yet often overlooked, settings is tucked away at the very bottom of your chart: the time zone.
You can set this to automatically match the exchange's local time (super helpful if you're trading international markets) or lock it to your own time zone. Why does this matter? It ensures that when you're doing your analysis at 8 PM your time, you're correctly seeing where the price action landed at the market's 4 PM close, keeping everything perfectly in sync with your trading schedule.
But that's not all. If you dive into your chart's settings menu, you'll find a few other time-related gems. You can tweak exactly how the time is displayed, add specific decimals to your price data for extra precision, and even turn on handy visual markers. These can show you key levels like the previous day's closing price or highlight the often-volatile pre-market and post-market trading sessions.
These settings give you really fine control, letting you set up your charts exactly how you need them. Here's a quick look at what you can adjust:
| Feature | What It Does | Why It's Useful |
|---|---|---|
| Time Zone | Changes the baseline time for the entire chart. | Aligns candle timestamps with your local hours or the exchange's official hours. |
| Session Markers | Highlights pre-market and after-hours trading on the chart. | Visually separates standard session price action from extended hours activity. |
| Previous Close Line | Draws a persistent horizontal line at the last official closing price. | Provides a quick, constant reference for the day's starting point and momentum. |
How to Pick the Perfect Timeframe for Your Trades
Figuring out which chart timeframe to use really comes down to your personal trading style and what you're trying to do.
Think of it like this:
| If you are a... | You'll probably like... | Because it helps you see... |
|---|---|---|
| Day Trader | 5 or 15-minute charts | the small price moves and quick momentum that happen throughout the day. |
| Swing Trader | 1 or 4-hour charts | the medium-term trends without getting distracted by every little up and down. |
| Long-Term Investor | Daily or weekly charts | the big picture direction and the most important price levels to watch. |
A trick that a lot of seasoned traders use is to start with the big picture and then zoom in. For example, you might check the daily chart first to see which way the wind is blowing overall. Then, you'd drop down to a 1-hour or 15-minute chart to find the perfect moment to place your trade.
This "top-down" method is like a secret weapon—it cuts down on misleading signals and makes your decisions sharper. It basically ensures that the short-term move you're betting on is actually going with the flow of the longer-term trend.
Quick Questions About TradingView Timeframes
Q: Can I change timeframes in TradingView without a paid subscription? A: Absolutely. You can switch between all the standard timeframes—like 1H, 4H, 1D—using the buttons on the chart's main toolbar or with handy keyboard shortcuts. The only thing that requires a paid plan is creating your own unique, custom timeframes.
Q: What's the fastest way to switch between timeframes?
A: Without a doubt, it's the keyboard shortcuts. It's super quick: just type the number you want and hit Enter. For example, typing 15 and Enter sets it to 15 minutes. For days, weeks, or months, just add the letter: 1D, 1W, or 1M.
Q: How do I change timeframes on the TradingView mobile app? A: It's really simple. Just tap on the timeframe indicator you see at the very bottom of your chart, right next to the trading pair's name (like "BTC/USD"). This will bring up a list of all the available timeframes for you to choose from.
Q: Can I view multiple timeframes at once on TradingView? A: Yes, you can! This is a great feature for analysis. Just click the "Select Layout" button on the top toolbar to create a grid of charts. You can then set each individual chart to a different timeframe to see them all side-by-side.
Q: Why can't I add a custom timeframe on TradingView? A: The ability to create custom timeframes (like a 2-hour or 3-day chart) is a premium feature. It's one of the perks included with a paid TradingView subscription. If you're interested in premium features without the full cost, you might want to learn about TradingView's Sneaky-Good Free Trial: How I Milked 30 Days of Premium Without Paying a Dime (2025 Edition) to maximize your TradingView experience.
Next Steps
Now that you're comfortable switching between timeframes in TradingView, it's time to get hands-on. The best way to learn is by doing, so open up a chart for an asset you follow and start playing with the different intervals.
First, think about how you like to trade. Are you someone who makes quick decisions throughout the day, or do you prefer holding positions for weeks or months? Your answer will point you to the right timeframes to focus on. Here's a quick guide:
| If Your Trading Style Is... | Then Start With These Timeframes... |
|---|---|
| Day Trading | 5-minute or 15-minute charts for entry, with an eye on the 1-hour for context. |
| Swing Trading | 4-hour or daily charts to find your spots, using the 1-hour to fine-tune. |
| Position Trading | Daily or weekly charts to see the big picture. |
To speed things up, try using the keyboard shortcuts. It feels clunky at first, but after a while, switching timeframes becomes second nature and lets you focus on the analysis.
A pro tip is to set up a layout with three different timeframes at once. Keep your main trading chart in the center, but add one chart with a higher timeframe (to see the overall trend) and another with a lower one (to spot precise entry points). This gives you a much fuller picture of what's happening.
Don't forget to favorite the intervals you use most often—it's a real time-saver. If you're hungry for more knowledge, TradingView has a ton of helpful tutorials and community ideas to explore.
And if you find yourself needing a very specific chart interval that the free plan doesn't offer, that's when it might be worth looking into a paid plan. Ultimately, the goal is to watch how the same asset behaves differently on a 5-minute chart versus a daily chart. Seeing those differences for yourself is what will truly sharpen your trading instincts.