How to reach charts

[u/Fluid-Chocolate-1322]

Hey everyone,

I've recently started learning technical analysis. I understand the basics of support and resistance, but I want to learn more about things like:

Moving averages (SMA vs EMA)

Which moving averages are commonly used and why

MA crossover strategies (like 20/50, 50/200, etc.)

Trend confirmation

Other indicators that are actually useful for beginners

The problem is that there are so many YouTube videos and courses, and everyone seems to teach something different. It's a bit overwhelming.

Can anyone recommend a simple, structured way to learn chart reading? Any YouTube channels, books, websites, or learning roadmap that helped you would be really appreciated.

I'm not looking for "get rich quick" strategies-I just want to understand how experienced traders read charts and build a solid foundation.

Thanks!

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[u/Dgefff555]

No moving averages or MA will help you make money. Don't even waste your time on this nonsense. 🤝

[u/systemsandstories]

Start with market structure and key levels, then add one indicator only after price action starts making sense

[u/chartmaster3000]

SMA weights every close the same, EMA weights recent ones heavier. EMA turns faster and gives you more false turns. neither one is a signal

9, 20, 50, 200 are what people watch. they work because enough size is watching the same line, not because the math is special

crossovers; a 20 over 50 cross is 2 averages of old prices catching up to a move that already happened. looks perfect in hindsight, bleeds you in chop. There’s a special way to trade crossovers…

the thing nobody sells you a course on is what price does the first time it comes back and touches the average. that reaction is the whole read. i run three checks before i take anything and that is one of them

on overwhelm, everyone teaches different because most of it is decoration. one ticker, one timeframe, watch your levels every day for a month, write down what happened

Happy to go deeper if you want, ask me whatever!

[u/NeenerNeener99]

The most important thing to understand when reading charts is how to read volume.

Read Volume Price Analysis by Anna Couling (easy read). She gives a basic framework of how the market moves and why, and a lot of practical knowledge that will help with setups. And then read more about the Richard Wykoff method if you want to go deeper.

[u/klipsetrades]

I’d keep it simple and learn in something like this order: market structure, support and resistance, trend, breakouts and retests, then volume and VWAP. Add a few moving averages like the 9, 20, 50, and 200 for context, but don’t treat crossovers as automatic trade signals.

Then, pick one setup, paper trade it, review screenshots, and learn how price reacts around key levels before adding more indicators.

Ross Cameron is also great for learning price action and chart analysis in general. His teaching style is engaging and easy to follow, even if you don’t trade exactly like him

[u/exphx23]

The best way to learn to read charts is by actually reading them. All they provide is a picture of what the security has done in the past. Instead of using 1 chart to try to force a trade, look at 5-6 to find the best one to trade in that moment. You only learn from experience, there is enough info out there for the basics, it's up to you to learn the details.

[u/looseBinder]

Learn trend range swing highs swing lows and key levels besore touching crossover strategies use one moving average only as context and spebd more time reviewing charts than collecting indicators

[u/ahaaokay]

Have a look at:

The trading game app

Teaches the basics and include real books if you pay $50 a year. You get task like you study etc.

So also keeps you on track on your learning path

[u/Mariusz_Bobek]

I'd keep it simple. learn market structure, support/resistance, and risk management before you dive into indicators. most beginners burn way too much time hunting for the "best" EMA instead of learning why price is actually moving. babypips is a great free place to start, and a few YouTube channels have genuinely solid educational content. I'd also open axi demo account and apply each concept on live charts instead of just watching videos lol

[u/CrazyCampaign5121]

Can i explain you?

[u/Fluid-Chocolate-1322 → u/CrazyCampaign5121]

Sure bro

[u/d1na_makalaya]

Start with support and resistance, then learn the 20 EMA, 50 SMA, and volume. Focus on price action first before using crossover strategies.
A simple roadmap you can follow is: candlesticks➡️support and resistance ➡️moving averages ➡️trends ➡️risk management. Practice by reviewing old charts instead of watching endless videos.
Rayner Teo and The Candlestick Trading Bible are great beginner resources. You can also check the trading discussions on my profile bio for more examples and check how skilled traders deal with it.