Timeframes Explained
Lesson 3 of 86 min5 exercises
Learn · 1/4
What Are Timeframes?
A timeframe determines how much time each candle represents. The same stock can look bullish on one timeframe and bearish on another - this isn't contradictory, it's just different perspectives.
Common Timeframes
Intraday (Day Trading)
- 1-minute (1m): Scalping, very noisy
- 5-minute (5m): Day trading
- 15-minute (15m): Intraday swings
- 30-minute (30m): Intraday trends
Swing Trading
- 1-hour (1H): Short-term swings
- 4-hour (4H): Multi-day swings
- Daily (1D): Main swing trading timeframe
Position Trading / Investing
- Weekly (1W): Major trends
- Monthly (1M): Long-term direction
- 1-minute (1m): Scalping, very noisy
- 5-minute (5m): Day trading
- 15-minute (15m): Intraday swings
- 30-minute (30m): Intraday trends
Swing Trading
- 1-hour (1H): Short-term swings
- 4-hour (4H): Multi-day swings
- Daily (1D): Main swing trading timeframe
Position Trading / Investing
- Weekly (1W): Major trends
- Monthly (1M): Long-term direction
Tip
In SUTOK, we offer 1m, 5m, 15m, 30m, 1H, and 4H for different trading styles. Most users find 30m or 1H provides the best balance of signal and noise.
Learn · 2/4
Multi-Timeframe Analysis
Professional traders use multiple timeframes together:
1. Higher timeframe: Determine the overall trend
2. Middle timeframe: Find your setup
3. Lower timeframe: Fine-tune your entry
Example: If the daily chart shows an uptrend, look for buying opportunities on the hourly chart, and time your entry using the 15-minute chart.
1. Higher timeframe: Determine the overall trend
2. Middle timeframe: Find your setup
3. Lower timeframe: Fine-tune your entry
Example: If the daily chart shows an uptrend, look for buying opportunities on the hourly chart, and time your entry using the 15-minute chart.
Example
GME Daily: Uptrend (bullish) GME 1H: Pulling back (wait for support) GME 15m: Hammer at support → Enter long
This is called "top-down analysis"
Watch out
Lower timeframes have more "noise" (random price movements). A bearish 5m signal in a strong daily uptrend is often just noise - the bigger trend usually wins.
Learn · 3/4
Which Timeframe Should You Use?
| Your Style | Primary Timeframe | Reference Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Scalping | 1m - 5m | 15m - 30m |
| Day Trading | 5m - 15m | 1H - 4H |
| Swing Trading | 1H - 4H | Daily - Weekly |
| Position Trading | Daily - Weekly | Monthly |
Learn · 4/4
Key takeaways
- Each timeframe shows a different perspective of the same price action
- Lower timeframes = more noise, higher timeframes = clearer trends
- Use multi-timeframe analysis: trend on higher, entry on lower
- Match your timeframe to your trading style
Next: 5 quick exercises. Miss one and it comes back at the end.