The Paper Trading tab is in the left sidebar under the chart, labeled "Trading" with a small icon

Open any chart in TradingView and look at the left side of your screen. Below the chart itself, you'll see several tabs. One of them says "Trading" — that's where paper trading lives. Click that tab and you're in the paper trading interface. This is where you can place fake trades using virtual money without risking real cash.

If you don't see the Trading tab at all, your account may not have paper trading turned on yet, or you may be looking at a chart type that doesn't support it. TradingView's free plan includes paper trading, but you need to be logged into your account to use it. If you're browsing without logging in, the tab won't appear.

The Trading tab looks different depending on whether you're on a computer or phone. On desktop, it's a straightforward sidebar. On mobile, you may need to tap a menu icon to reveal it. Either way, once you click into the Trading tab, you'll see your account balance, open positions, and the ability to place new trades.

Key Takeaways

  • The Trading tab sits directly below the chart in the left sidebar on desktop TradingView.
  • You must be logged into a TradingView account to see the Trading tab — it won't appear if you're browsing without signing in.
  • Paper trading is included free with all TradingView accounts and lets you place trades with virtual money.
  • On mobile, the Trading tab may be hidden behind a menu icon that you need to tap to reveal the sidebar.

What to do if the Trading tab is missing

If you're logged in but still don't see a Trading tab, refresh the page. Sometimes TradingView takes a moment to load all interface elements, especially on slower connections. Close the browser tab completely and open TradingView again in a fresh tab.

Check that you're looking at a supported chart. Paper trading works on stock charts, crypto charts, and forex charts, but not on all chart types. If you're viewing a chart that doesn't support trading (like some economic calendars or indices), the Trading tab won't appear. Switch to a standard price chart and the tab should show up.

If you're on the free plan and the Trading tab still doesn't appear after refreshing, log out and log back in. This forces TradingView to reload your account settings. In rare cases, a browser cache issue can hide the tab — try clearing your browser cache or switching to a different browser to test.

How to place a paper trade once you find the tab

Once the Trading tab is open, you'll see your account balance at the top. Below that is a section to enter a trade. You pick the quantity of shares or contracts you want to buy or sell, then click the buy or sell button. The trade executes immediately at the current market price shown on the chart.

Your open positions appear in a list below the trade entry area. Each position shows how much you're up or down in dollars and percentage terms. You can close any position by clicking the X button next to it, which sells it back at the current price. This is how you practice without any real money at stake.

Paper trading balances reset periodically — usually every few months — so you always have fresh virtual money to practice with. The exact reset schedule varies, but TradingView notifies you before it happens. Your trade history stays visible even after a reset, so you can review what you did.

Differences between paper trading and real trading on TradingView

Paper trading uses fake money, so there's no real cost or gain. Real trading through TradingView's broker partners uses your actual cash. Paper trading fills instantly at the price you see on the chart. Real trades may fill at slightly different prices depending on market conditions and how fast the order reaches the exchange.

Paper trading is meant to teach you how the interface works and let you test ideas without risk. It's not a perfect simulation of real trading — real markets have slippage, delays, and spreads that paper trading doesn't always show. But it's a solid way to get comfortable before you trade with money you can't afford to lose.

To switch from paper trading to real trading, you need to connect a real brokerage account to TradingView. This requires identity verification and funding your account with actual money. TradingView itself doesn't hold your money — it connects you to licensed brokers who do.

Why you might not see paper trading on your chart

Some TradingView charts are read-only, meaning you can view them but not trade on them. This happens with certain shared charts or charts embedded on other websites. If you want to trade, open the chart directly in TradingView instead of viewing it through an embed.

Certain symbols don't support paper trading even though they're tradeable in real accounts. Penny stocks, very new listings, and some international exchanges may not have paper trading available. If you're trying to paper trade a specific stock and the Trading tab won't let you, try a different, more liquid symbol to confirm the tab is working.

Your browser's ad blocker or privacy extensions can sometimes hide interface elements. If you've tried refreshing and logging back in but still see no Trading tab, try disabling your extensions temporarily. This helps you figure out whether the problem is TradingView or your browser setup.

Mobile vs. desktop: finding the Trading tab on your phone

On the TradingView mobile app, the Trading tab is usually accessible through a menu at the bottom of the screen. Look for icons labeled "Chart," "Ideas," "Watchlist," and "Account" — the trading interface is often grouped with account settings. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) if you don't see these options immediately.

The mobile interface is more compact than desktop, so the Trading tab may look different. You'll still see your account balance and the ability to place trades, but the layout is simplified for smaller screens. Swipe or scroll to see all your open positions and trade history.

If you're using TradingView through a mobile web browser instead of the app, the layout matches the desktop version more closely. The Trading tab will be in the left sidebar just as it is on a computer. The mobile app and mobile web version have slightly different designs, so if one isn't working, try the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for paper trading on TradingView?

No. Paper trading is included free with all TradingView accounts, including the free plan. You don't need a paid subscription to use it. You only pay if you want to connect a real brokerage account and trade with actual money.

Can I use paper trading on any stock or cryptocurrency?

Paper trading works on most major stocks, cryptocurrencies, and forex pairs. Some very illiquid or newly listed symbols may not support it. If a symbol won't let you paper trade, try a different, more widely traded symbol to confirm the feature is working.

Does my paper trading balance ever run out?

Your paper trading balance resets periodically, usually every few months. TradingView sends a notification before the reset happens. You always get fresh virtual money after a reset, so you can keep practicing. Your trade history remains visible even after the reset.

What happens to my paper trades when I close the app?

Your open positions stay open. They don't close just because you log out. When you log back in, your positions are still there, and they continue to gain or lose value based on market price changes. You can close them whenever you want.

Can I switch from paper trading to real trading without starting over?

Your paper trading account and real trading account are separate. Paper trades don't carry over to real money. When you connect a real brokerage account, you start fresh with your actual cash. Paper trading is purely for practice.