How to trade forex (2024)

All forex trading works in a fundamentally similar way – you take advantage of the movement of one currency against another in a pair, earning a profit if you predict the pair’s movement correctly and incurring a loss if you don’t.

Find out more about trading forex at IG with our trade example below.

Trade example: trading EUR/USD

EUR/USD is trading at 1.11280, with a buy price of 1.11284 and a sell price of 1.11276, giving it a spread of 0.8 pips. You think that the euro is set to gain value against the dollar, so you decide to buy the market at 1.11284.

The size of the position is measured in lots, with each lot equal to 100,000 of the first currency (the base currency) in the pair. In this case, buying a single lot of EUR/USD is the equivalent of trading €100,000 for $111,284. You decide to buy three, giving you a total position size of $333,852. This means you’ll earn $30 for every pip of movement (0.0001 USD/EUR). This is called your pip value.

Forex trading is a leveraged product, so you don’t have to pay the full value of your position upfront. EUR/USD has a margin factor of 2%, so you only have to commit $6677.04 – or €6000 – as margin.

How to trade forex (2024)

FAQs

How do I trade forex as a beginner? ›

Trading forex step-by-step guide
  1. Open a spread betting or CFD trading account. ...
  2. Start researching to find the FX pair you want to trade. ...
  3. Based on your research, decide if you want to buy or sell. ...
  4. Follow your strategy. ...
  5. Place your forex trade. ...
  6. Close your trade and reflect.

Can I trade forex with $100 dollars? ›

A $100 deposit is sufficient initial capital to open a forex trade in a real Forex account without breaking risk management rules. On average, traders with medium-level experience can earn over 10% of the deposit per month. Professional traders' earnings can exceed 500% a year.

Is $500 enough to trade forex? ›

This forex trading style is ideal for people who dislike looking at their charts frequently and who can only trade in their free time. The very lowest you can open an account with is $500 if you wish to initiate a trade with a risk of 50 pips since you can risk $5 per trade, which is 1% of $500.

Is it profitable to trade forex? ›

Forex trading may make you rich if you are a hedge fund with deep pockets or an unusually skilled currency trader. But for the average retail trader, rather than being an easy road to riches, forex trading can be a rocky highway to enormous losses and potential penury.

Is $1000 enough to start forex? ›

Believe it or not, you can start forex day trading with $1,000 or even less. It requires mastering position sizing and managing risks, but if you navigate your way to success, the rewards can be significant. In this article, we will discuss in detail how you can day trade with $1000.

Can I learn forex on my own? ›

It is absolutely possible to teach yourself how to trade forex, but it's important to learn the basics before entering the market.

Do you need $25,000 to day trade forex? ›

The $25,000 minimum equity requirement refers to the minimum amount of capital that a day trader must have in their account in order to engage in day trading activities. This requirement applies to both pattern day traders (PDTs) and non-pattern day traders (non-PDTs).

How much do forex traders make a month? ›

Forex Trader Salary
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$192,500$16,041
75th Percentile$181,000$15,083
Average$101,533$8,461
25th Percentile$57,500$4,791

Is trading forex a good side hustle? ›

Regardless of your financial situation, the Forex market offers a remedy for you. If you're seeking an additional source of money, it's a good option. When it comes to making money on the side, it may be a great way to do so, as well.

Can you make a living off forex? ›

Now, it's not to say that trading Forex for a living is impossible; it is certainly attainable, but it usually requires getting knowledge and experience, as well as opening huge accounts with hundreds of thousands of dollars in size.

Are there forex millionaires? ›

The answer is yes! Forex can make you a millionaire if you are a hedge fund trader with a large sum. But forex from rags to riches for the majority is usually a rocky and bumpy ride which often leaves some traders in their dreams.

Is forex trading like gambling? ›

Forex trading vs. gambling: Forex trading may appear similar to gambling, but there are key differences. While gambling relies on chance and randomness, forex traders can use strategies and tools to tilt the odds in their favour. Importance of self-control: Successful forex trading requires discipline and self-control.

Can a beginner make money in forex? ›

Beginner trader and financial markets

Daily trading volume over $6 trillion makes the forex market one of the largest and most liquid financial markets globally. While you can earn a great amount of money, a proper understanding of the market is essential before having a go at real trading.

How much money do I need to start forex trading? ›

How Much Money Do I Need to Start Trading Forex? You can start trading forex with as little as $1,000 funded in a micro account, but will need significantly more capital for a standard account.

Is forex trading hard for beginners? ›

Often perceived as an easy moneymaking career, forex trading is actually quite difficult, though highly engaging.

What is the best currency to trade in forex as a beginner? ›

Best Currency Pairs to Trade for Beginners
  1. EUR/USD. Traders who are new to forex can benefit from the low spreads, low volatility and liquidity features of EUR/USD, one of the most popular currency pairs in the world. ...
  2. GBP/USD. ...
  3. USD/JPY. ...
  4. USD/CHF. ...
  5. AUD/USD.

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