The price chart is the first thing you see on a trading page. Most traders use candlestick charts because one candle packs four prices into a single shape. This guide explains how to read candles and how to use the chart on Akunosai spot and futures.
What one candle shows
Each candle covers one period of time, for example 15 minutes or one day, and shows four prices:
- Open: the price at the start of the period
- Close: the price at the end of the period
- High: the highest price of the period, the top of the upper wick
- Low: the lowest price of the period, the bottom of the lower wick
The thick part between open and close is the body. A green candle closed higher than it opened; a red candle closed lower. The thin lines above and below the body are the wicks, or shadows: they show how far the price moved before it came back.
Reading candles in practice
- A long body means that one side, buyers or sellers, was clearly stronger during that period.
- A long wick means the price reached a level but was pushed back. Several long lower wicks near the same price show that buyers keep stepping in there.
- A small body with wicks on both sides means indecision.
- One candle alone says little. Look at several candles in a row and at a larger timeframe.
Timeframes
The buttons above the chart switch the candle period: 1 minute, 15 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours, 1 day or 1 week, with more options in the ▾ menu. Short timeframes show every small move and a lot of noise; long timeframes show the main trend. A good habit is to look at the daily chart first and then zoom in.
The buttons under the chart jump to a range such as 1 day, 5 days, 1 month or 1 year, or to a date you choose.
Other chart types
The chart-type menu (the candle icon) switches between candles, hollow candles, bars, line, area and Heikin Ashi. A line or area chart connects the closing prices and is the easiest way to see the overall direction. Heikin Ashi candles are averaged, so trends look smoother, but their open and close are not the real traded prices.
Volume and indicators
Volume shows how much was traded in each period. A price move on high volume usually means more than the same move on low volume. Press "Indicators" to add volume and tools such as moving averages, RSI or MACD. Start with one or two: a chart full of indicators is harder to read, not more accurate.
Your orders and positions on the chart
On Akunosai the chart also shows your own trading. Open orders for the pair appear as dashed lines at their price; click ✕ on a line to cancel that order. On futures, an open position is drawn at its entry price together with its unrealized PNL, and the estimated liquidation price is marked with an orange dotted line.
Last price, mark price and wicks
Candles are built from traded prices, so a single unusual trade can draw a long wick. On Akunosai futures, liquidation and stop-loss use the mark price, not the last trade, so a short spike on the chart alone does not liquidate a position. Read more: what a wick is and why liquidation uses the mark price.
FAQ
Q: Which timeframe is best for beginners? A: Start with 1 hour and 1 day to understand the trend before you look at minute charts.
Q: Why does the futures chart differ slightly from the spot chart? A: They are separate markets with their own trades, so prices and wicks can differ a little.
Q: Can I practise reading charts without risk? A: Yes. The futures demo account uses real prices with virtual funds.
Register to see your own orders on the chart, or follow prices on the go with the Android app.