Adding charts to Topstepx is done through the platform settings, not through a separate menu

Topstepx is a trading simulator and education platform where you practice trading without real money. Charts are the visual displays of price movements over time — they're central to how traders make decisions. To see charts in your practice account, you need to enable them in your workspace settings and choose which type of chart works for you.

The process takes about two minutes and involves logging into your account, navigating to your workspace preferences, and selecting your chart type from the available options. Topstepx offers candlestick charts and bar charts by default, and you can switch between them depending on what you're practicing.

Key Takeaways

  • Charts appear in your Topstepx workspace once you enable them in settings — they don't appear automatically when you create an account.
  • Topstepx provides candlestick and bar chart formats; candlestick charts show open, high, low, and close prices in a single bar, while bar charts display the same data in a different visual format.
  • You can change your chart type at any time by returning to workspace settings without losing your practice trades or account history.
  • Chart timeframes (1-minute, 5-minute, hourly, daily) are separate from chart type and can be adjusted independently depending on what trading style you're practicing.

Log in and navigate to workspace settings

Start by logging into your Topstepx account at topstepx.com. Once you're logged in, look for the settings icon or gear symbol, usually located in the top right corner of the screen or in a left-side menu. Click it to open your account settings.

From the settings menu, find the option labeled "Workspace" or "Chart Settings" — the exact name varies depending on which version of Topstepx you're using. This is where you control what appears in your trading workspace, including chart display options.

Select your chart type

In the workspace settings, you'll see options for chart types. Candlestick charts are the most common choice for traders because they show four pieces of information in a single bar: the opening price, closing price, highest price, and lowest price during that time period. The body of the candle shows the open and close; the wicks (thin lines) show the high and low.

Bar charts display the same four data points but in a different visual format — as vertical lines with small horizontal marks on the left and right. Some traders prefer bar charts because they find them easier to read quickly, while others prefer candlesticks because the color coding (usually green for up days, red for down days) is more immediate.

Choose whichever format matches what you're learning or what you plan to use in real trading. You can change this setting later without any penalty.

Adjust timeframe settings separately from chart type

Chart type and timeframe are two different settings. Your timeframe is how much time each bar or candle represents — a 1-minute chart shows one bar per minute, a 5-minute chart shows one bar per five minutes, and so on. Topstepx typically offers 1-minute, 5-minute, 15-minute, hourly, and daily timeframes.

Set your timeframe based on what you're practicing. Day traders often use 1-minute or 5-minute charts to catch quick price movements. Swing traders might use hourly or daily charts. You can switch timeframes during a practice session without closing your account or losing your trades.

Confirm your settings and start practicing

Once you've selected your chart type and timeframe, look for a "Save" or "Apply" button at the bottom of the settings panel. Click it to confirm your choices. Your workspace should now display charts with your selected settings.

If charts still don't appear, refresh your browser page or log out and log back in. Sometimes the platform needs a moment to load the new settings. If you still see no charts after refreshing, check that you have an active practice account — some Topstepx accounts require a subscription or membership tier to access charting features.

Switching between chart types during practice

You don't have to stick with your initial choice. While you're in the middle of a practice session, you can usually switch between candlestick and bar charts using a button or dropdown in the chart toolbar itself — look for icons or labels near the top of the chart area. This lets you see the same price data in a different format without interrupting your practice.

Some traders switch charts mid-session to see if a different visual format helps them spot patterns they missed. This is a normal part of learning what works for you.

Troubleshooting charts that won't display

If you've enabled charts but they're not showing up, the most common cause is that your account type doesn't include charting access. Free or trial accounts on Topstepx sometimes have limited features. Check your account tier by going to Account or Billing in settings and confirming what features come with your current plan.

A second common issue is browser compatibility. Topstepx works best in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you're using an older browser or a less common one, try switching browsers and logging in again. Clear your browser cache if you've recently updated Topstepx — old cached files can sometimes prevent new features from loading.

If charts appear but look blank or frozen, try closing the chart and reopening it, or refresh the entire page. If the problem persists, contact Topstepx support through the help menu in your account — they can check whether your account has the right permissions and whether there's a technical issue on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different chart types for different instruments at the same time?

No — your chart type setting applies to your entire workspace. If you want to see one instrument as candlesticks and another as bars, you would need to switch the setting each time you change instruments. Some traders use multiple browser tabs or windows to work around this, keeping one tab set to candlesticks and another to bars.

What's the difference between candlestick and bar charts for learning?

Candlestick charts are more popular in modern trading education and are what you'll see on most professional trading platforms. If you're learning to trade for real money later, practicing on candlesticks now means less adjustment. Bar charts work just as well for understanding price movement — it's mostly a visual preference.

Do I need to pay extra to use charts on Topstepx?

Charts are included in most Topstepx account tiers, but some free or trial accounts have limited charting access. Check your account details in settings to see what features come with your current plan. If charting is restricted, upgrading your account tier will unlock it.

Can I change my chart settings on mobile?

Topstepx works on mobile browsers, but the settings menu and chart options may be harder to navigate on a small screen. Desktop access is usually smoother for adjusting workspace settings. Once your charts are set up on desktop, they should carry over when you log in on mobile.

What happens to my charts if I switch accounts?

Each Topstepx account has its own settings. If you have multiple practice accounts, each one stores its own chart preferences separately. Switching between accounts means switching chart settings too — you'll need to reconfigure charts in a new account if you want different settings there.