Tick Chart
A tick chart is a tool that displays every price change of an asset in real time. The chart is built not by time, but by actual trades.
The tick chart reveals price movement details that are hidden by candles on time-based charts.
What is a Tick
A tick is every change in the last price of an asset or a completed trade.
Example: The price changed from 100.50 to 100.51 — this is one tick. Then to 100.52 — this is the second tick. Between changes, a second or a fraction of a second may pass.
Tick Chart vs Candlestick Chart
Time-based
No — built on each price change
Yes — formed over fixed interval
Detail level
Maximum, every change is visible
Averaged, hides micro-movements
Update speed
Depends on market activity
Constant
For scalping
More precise entry and exit points
Limited, due to averaging
Why candles hide details:
Aggregate all movements over an interval
Sequence of events inside the candle is not visible
False breakouts and micro-spikes are missed
What the Tick Chart Shows
Market Speed
Frequent ticks — high activity, many trades, chart updates quickly.
Rare ticks — low activity, few trades, chart updates slowly.
Movement Microstructure
Smooth movement — ticks form an even line, momentum is stable.
Stepped movement — ticks cluster at levels, price "brakes."
Sharp jumps — vertical tick lines, strong momentum.
Slowdowns and Accelerations
Slowdown — ticks appear less frequently, possible reversal.
Acceleration — ticks appear more frequently, strong movement.
When to Use Tick Chart
Scalping
Ideal for traders who open positions for seconds or minutes, work with small price movements, catch moments of acceleration or deceleration.
Post-Trade Analysis
MoonTrader has a cloud tick archive:
Frame-by-frame analysis of each trade
Exact entry and exit moment
Understanding reasons for stop triggering
Evaluation of potential to take more profit
Algorithm Diagnostics
Tick chart shows slippage during order execution, price spikes, reaction to large orders.
How to Read Tick Chart
Finding Entry Points
Entry in trend direction:
Determine direction on higher timeframe
Wait for correction (tick slowdown)
Look for momentum resumption (tick acceleration)
Enter at the moment acceleration begins
Reversal signs:
After a series of fast ticks, a pause appears
Tick formation speed decreases
Ticks begin to appear in the opposite direction
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