How to Set Up ICT Charts on TradingView (Step-by-Step)

“Learn how to set up ICT charts on TradingView step-by-step. Discover how to mark order blocks, fair value gaps, and liquidity zones for more accurate Smart Money trading decisions.”

Table of Contents

Introduction: Is Your Trading Chart Helping You or Confusing You?

Have you ever opened a TradingView chart, only to feel overwhelmed by messy lines, random indicators, and zero clarity?
If yes, you’re not alone — thousands of new traders struggle to set up their charts for proper ICT analysis.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up ICT charts on TradingView step by step so you can finally see what the market makers see: clean structure, clear liquidity, and precise entry zones.

Whether you’re trading Forex, indices, or crypto, this setup will help you focus on what matters: price action, not noise.

Most traders start with a cluttered chart — 10 indicators, 5 lines, and no idea where price is heading.
This leads to hesitation, late entries, and missed opportunities. You feel like the market is “out to get you.”
The fix is simple — a clear ICT chart template on TradingView. No more guessing. Just structure, order blocks, and fair value gaps guiding your trades.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up ICT Charts on TradingView

Step 1: Open TradingView and Choose Your Market

Log into TradingView → Select a major pair like EUR/USD or GBP/USD for cleaner price action.

Mini Tip: Start with Forex majors; they respect ICT concepts better than exotic pairs.

Step 2: Choose the Right Timeframes

Higher Timeframes: Daily or 4H for overall market structure
Lower Timeframes: 15min or 1H for precise entries

Mini Tip: Analyze top-down — start from higher timeframe, then refine on lower timeframe.

Step 3: Mark the Market Structure

Identify:

Higher Highs (HH)
Higher Lows (HL)
Lower Highs (LH)
Lower Lows (LL)
Use trendlines or horizontal lines.

Mini Tip: Think of market structure as the “skeleton” of your trade — without it, you’re blind.

Step 4: Highlight Order Blocks (OB)

Locate the last bullish candle before a drop (bearish OB)
Or the last bearish candle before a rally (bullish OB)
Draw rectangles and label them.

Mini Tip: Don’t mark every candle — only those near major highs/lows.

Step 5: Identify Fair Value Gaps (FVG)

These are the imbalances where price didn’t trade efficiently.
Mark them with transparent rectangles (yellow works well).

Mini Tip: FVGs often act as magnets — price likes to “fill the gap” before continuing.

Step 6: Add Liquidity Zones

Mark previous highs, lows, or equal highs/lows where stop hunts are likely.

Mini Tip: Liquidity is where “smart money” looks — be the hunter, not the hunted.

Step 7: Clean Your Chart

Dark background
Hide unnecessary gridlines
Keep only essential drawings

Mini Tip: Less clutter = less confusion.

Step 8: Save Your Template

Click Save Layout → Save As Template → Name: ICT-SMC Setup

Mini Tip: Reuse this template daily; it saves time and builds consistency.

Mini Case Study: Ali’s Journey from Clutter to Clarity

Ali, a beginner trader, used to rely on RSI, MACD, and three moving averages. His win rate? 30%.
After switching to this ICT chart setup and focusing only on order blocks & market structure, his confidence grew — within one month, his win rate improved to 55% on demo.

FAQs

1. Do I need a paid TradingView account?

No. The free version is enough for this setup.

2. Which pairs are best for ICT analysis?

Start with EUR/USD or GBP/USD — they’re more stable and liquid.

3. Should I use indicators along with this setup?

Keep it minimal. Price action is your best indicator here.

4. How often should I update my chart?

Once per session is enough unless major structure shifts happen.

“You’ve learned how to set up your chart — but do you know when to enter? In our next article: ‘The Ultimate ICT Market Structure Guide – Spotting High-Probability Zones’, we’ll reveal exactly how to time your trades using these setups.” (Coming Soon)

Call to Action (CTA)

Want a free downloadable ICT chart template for TradingView?
→ [Coming Soon]

Final Takeaways

A clean chart builds clarity and confidence
Focus on structure, OB, FVG, and liquidity zones
Practice 10–15 minutes daily and save your template
Avoid indicator overload — less is more in ICT trading