TradingView paper trading is a powerful, risk-free simulator that allows traders to practice buying and selling financial assets using virtual funds—no deposits or real money required. It replicates real market conditions, offering an authentic trading experience while eliminating financial risk.
This tool is ideal for testing strategies, mastering technical and fundamental analysis, and building confidence before stepping into live markets. Whether you're new to trading or refining advanced techniques, paper trading helps bridge the gap between theory and execution.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the essential features of TradingView’s paper trading environment, from account setup to order placement and performance tracking—all designed to enhance your trading proficiency.
What Is Paper Trading?
Paper trading, also known as simulated trading, enables users to execute trades in real-time market environments using virtual capital. Every action—placing orders, managing positions, analyzing charts—mirrors live trading, but without financial consequences.
TradingView integrates paper trading directly into its advanced charting platform, giving users access to real-time data, technical indicators, drawing tools, and customizable strategies across multiple asset classes including stocks, forex, cryptocurrencies, futures, and indices.
The goal? To help traders develop a personalized, repeatable strategy that aligns with their risk tolerance, time horizon, and market focus—before risking real capital.
👉 Discover how easy it is to start practicing risk-free trading today.
Why Use Paper Trading?
Before risking hard-earned money, why not test your strategy under realistic conditions?
Markets are dynamic and complex. No single approach works in all scenarios. Technical indicators may conflict with fundamental signals. Market volatility, liquidity, and sentiment can shift rapidly—making real-time practice essential.
Paper trading lets you:
- Test different analytical methods (technical vs. fundamental)
- Experiment with custom Pine Script® strategies and indicators
- Practice day trading forex or crypto, or building long-term stock portfolios
- Evaluate how leverage, commissions, and slippage impact results
It’s not just for beginners. Seasoned traders use paper accounts to validate new systems, backtest ideas, and adapt to changing market regimes—all without financial exposure.
How to Start Your Paper Trading Account
Getting started is simple:
- Open the TradingView SuperChart
- Navigate to the Trading Panel at the bottom of the screen
- Click the "Paper Trading" icon
- Select "Connect"
That’s it—you’re now live in a simulated environment with $100,000 in virtual funds.
No registration or deposit required. You can begin practicing immediately, exploring various assets and refining your approach.
Understanding the Trading Panel
The Trading Panel is your central hub for managing simulated trades. Located at the base of the chart interface, it includes three main components:
- Account Manager – View balances, open positions, and order history
- Order Panel – Place and manage trade orders
- Depth of Market (DOM) – See real-time bid/ask liquidity
Let’s dive deeper into each section.
Account Manager
This dashboard gives you full visibility into your simulated account:
- Track open positions and active orders
- Monitor key metrics like equity, margin usage, and unrealized P&L
- Switch between multiple paper accounts to test different strategies
You can customize what data appears in the summary bar, including:
- Account Balance: Starting virtual capital
- Equity: Balance + unrealized profit/loss
- Realized P&L: Gains/losses from closed positions
- Unrealized P&L: Floating gains/losses on open trades
- Used Margin: Funds locked by open leveraged positions
- Available Funds: Free capital for new trades
- Order Margin: Required margin for pending orders
Advanced users can export trade logs as CSV files for detailed analysis.
👉 See how top traders structure their risk-free practice sessions.
Trade Settings
Access settings via the gear icon next to your account name. Here you can:
- Toggle on/off buy/sell buttons, position display, and order tags
- Enable one-click trading for faster execution
- Customize which metrics appear on your chart
These settings let you tailor the interface to match your workflow—whether you prefer a clean layout or full data visibility.
Account Configuration
Your default paper account starts with:
| Asset Class | Leverage |
|---|---|
| Stocks | 1:1 |
| Futures | 20:1 |
| Forex | 50:1 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 10:1 |
| Other | 50:1 |
You can adjust leverage per asset type based on your risk appetite.
Additionally, you can set commission types (fixed or percentage) and define fees per contract—especially useful when simulating futures or high-frequency strategies.
For more precision, explore how to fine-tune these parameters to reflect real-world broker conditions.
Resetting Your Account
Need a fresh start? Use the "Reset Account" feature to:
- Change starting balance (e.g., $10k instead of $100k)
- Switch base currency (over 20 options including USD, EUR, BTC)
- Adjust leverage settings globally
⚠️ Warning: Resetting deletes all orders, positions, trade history, and logs. This action cannot be undone.
Alternatively, create multiple paper accounts to run parallel tests—one for scalping crypto, another for swing trading stocks—without interference.
Delete unused accounts via the trash icon in settings.
Tracking Orders & Positions
Stay in control with detailed tracking tabs:
- Positions: View all open long/short trades
- Orders: Monitor pending limit, stop-loss, and market orders
- History: See executed, canceled, and rejected orders
- Account History: Review closed trades with entry/exit prices and realized P&L
- Trade Log: Get timestamped records of all trading activity
These tools help evaluate performance over time and identify patterns in decision-making.
How to Place a Paper Trade
TradingView supports multiple order types across asset classes:
Via the Order Panel
Click the "Trade" button to open the order form. Choose from:
- Market Order: Instant execution at best available price
- Limit Order: Set a specific entry/exit price; fills only when reached
- Stop-Loss Order: Becomes a market order once trigger price is hit (ideal for risk management)
You can also place orders directly from the Depth of Market (DOM) for better price control.
Directly from Charts (Chart Trading)
One of TradingView’s standout features is chart-based trading. Draw trendlines, apply indicators, then click directly on the chart to place trades—no need to switch windows.
Perfect for visual traders who want seamless integration between analysis and execution.
👉 Learn how professionals combine chart analysis with instant trade execution.
The Leap: Compete & Win Real Prizes
Ready to level up?
Join The Leap, TradingView’s global virtual trading competition. Compete against traders worldwide using paper accounts—but win real cash prizes.
There are no entry fees, minimum deposits, or hidden costs. Each event has unique rules and tradable assets, so study them carefully before joining.
It’s the ultimate test of strategy, discipline, and adaptability—all in a risk-free environment.
Final Thoughts
Paper trading isn’t just practice—it’s preparation. By simulating real market dynamics without financial risk, you gain invaluable experience in strategy development, emotional control, and execution precision.
Use it to:
- Master technical analysis tools
- Validate custom Pine Scripts
- Explore diverse asset classes
- Build confidence before going live
Remember: successful trading is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time. Refine your edge. And always prioritize learning over profits—at least until you're ready.
Explore additional resources on chart types, indicators, and drawing tools within TradingView’s knowledge base to deepen your expertise.
When you’re confident, consider linking with a top-tier broker—or continue honing your skills in competitive environments like The Leap.
Happy trading!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is TradingView paper trading completely free?
A: Yes. There are no costs to use the paper trading feature. It's included with any TradingView account.
Q: Can I use paper trading for cryptocurrencies?
A: Absolutely. You can simulate trades on BTC/USD, ETH/USDT, and many other crypto pairs with adjustable leverage.
Q: Does paper trading reflect real market conditions?
A: Yes. It uses real-time price data and mimics actual order execution—though slippage and fill rates are idealized.
Q: Can I have more than one paper trading account?
A: Yes. You can create multiple accounts to test different strategies simultaneously.
Q: How do I export my trade history?
A: Go to Account Settings → Export Data → Download as CSV for analysis in Excel or other tools.
Q: Is there a time limit on paper trading sessions?
A: No. Your paper account remains active indefinitely unless manually reset or deleted.