Symbol Search & Timeframes
Finding any asset instantly and mastering multi-timeframe analysis.
Navigating 3,539,722 instruments across 70+ stock exchanges and 70+ crypto exchanges requires powerful search. TradingView's Direct Search Symbol and comprehensive timeframe controls make this effortless.
Combined with exchange-specific codes and customizable timeframes, you can navigate global — and specifically Indian — markets with precision.
1. Direct Search Symbol — Instant Access
In TradingView, the 'Script Name' or 'Direct Search Symbol' feature is designed to simplify and accelerate the process of finding specific financial instruments or trading scripts. By entering the script name directly into the search bar, users can easily locate and analyze the asset or trading strategy they're interested in.
The search is intelligent: it shows results across all asset classes (stocks, F&O, forex, crypto, commodities) with exchange identifiers, letting you quickly distinguish between NSE:RELIANCE and BSE:RELIANCE.
Data source
Delayed data Free | Real-time data Non-professional fees, per month | Real-time data Professional fees, per month | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | ₹0 | ₹0 | |
| 15 min | ₹422 | ₹2,870 | |
| 15 min | ₹176 | ₹176 | |
Metropolitan Stock Exchange MSE · India 🇮🇳 FUTURES | N/A | ₹0 | N/A |
| N/A | ₹0 | ₹0 | |
National Commodity & Derivatives Ex NCDEX · India 🇮🇳 FUTURESINDICES | N/A | ₹0 | N/A |
1.1 Just Start Typing
- Start typing any symbol name while on the chart.
- The search dialog opens instantly — no clicks needed.
- Results show across all asset classes and exchanges.
1.2 Keyboard Shortcut
- Press Ctrl+S to instantly open the search dialog.
- No need to navigate away from your current chart.
- Seamless, time-efficient symbol switching experience.
Ctrl+S — Opens the Symbol Search dialog instantly from anywhere on the chart
Official Resources
Official guide on symbol types, how to access Symbol Search, and advanced tips for finding instruments across exchanges.
Learn how to use the platform-wide Quick Search to find symbols, settings, indicators, and features instantly.
2. Exchange Codes — Precision Search
When searching for scripts in TradingView, users can further optimize their search by using exchange codes — abbreviations linked to specific stock exchanges. This method helps users quickly find instruments listed on a particular exchange.
NSE — National Stock Exchange
- Exchange Code: NSE
- Example: Type 'NSE:INFY' for Infosys on NSE.
- Covers equities, F&O, indices, and ETFs.
BSE — Bombay Stock Exchange
- Exchange Code: BSE
- Example: Type 'BSE:RELIANCE' for Reliance on BSE.
- Covers equities, SME segment, and indices.
MCX — Multi Commodity Exchange
- Exchange Code: MCX
- Example: Type 'MCX:GOLD1!' for Gold Futures on MCX.
- Covers commodities: Gold, Silver, Crude Oil, Natural Gas.
Generic Search (No Exchange)
- Search without an exchange code.
- Example: Typing 'RELIANCE' alone.
- Shows results across multiple global exchanges.
Critical Warning
NSE real-time data is available on the free plan with a slight delay. For true real-time data, an exchange data subscription is required.
Critical Warning
Always append the exchange code when searching for Indian stocks to avoid confusion with international tickers. For example, 'NSE:TATA' vs just 'TATA' which might show unrelated results.
3. Time Intervals & Complete Timeframes Breakdown
In TradingView, the 'Time Frame' refers to the specific period or interval over which price data is displayed on the chart. Choosing the right time frame is crucial for different types of analysis, whether you're performing short-term trades, long-term investments, or assessing broader trends.
TradingView's timeframe dropdown is the most comprehensive in the industry — covering everything from tick-level microstructure data to multi-year monthly charts. Press the comma key (,) or click the dropdown arrow next to the timeframe bar to reveal the full interval menu.
The Timeframe Toolbar
- Starred intervals pin permanently to the toolbar for one-click access.
- Active intervals highlight in blue to easily gauge your current timeframe context.
The Master Dropdown Menu
- Organizes intervals intelligently into categories: Ticks, Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, and Ranges.
- Hover over items to see the 'Star' option.
- Click '+ Add custom interval' to build your own tailor-made timeframes.
Type any number + Enter — Instantly switches timeframe (e.g., type '15' + Enter for 15-min chart). Or press Comma (,) to open the timeframe dropdown.
Official Resources
Comprehensive official guide to time intervals — how they calculate bars, best practices, and advanced tips.
Learn how to control which timeframes display your drawings — critical for multi-timeframe analysis.
4. Quick-Change & Custom Intervals
Typing on the chart instantly opens the Quick-Change interval popup. Simply type a number (e.g., '15') to switch to a minute interval.
For higher timeframes, append letters: '1D' for Days, '1W' for Weeks, '1M' for Months, and '1S' for Seconds.
Need something unique? The Custom Interval dialog lets you build exotic structures like 7-minute or 2-day charts perfectly aligned to your trading strategy.
Change interval
15 minutes
Tick-Based Intervals (Ultimate)
- 1 tick — Every single trade execution.
- 10 ticks — Micro-level order flow analysis.
- 100 ticks — Short-burst volume clusters.
- 1000 ticks — Ideal for algo strategy backtesting.
- Available exclusively on the Ultimate plan.
Second-Based Intervals (Premium)
- 1 second — Ultra-high-frequency scalping.
- 5, 10, 15 seconds — Sub-minute momentum.
- 30, 45 seconds — Quick pattern setups.
- Available from Premium tier and above.
- Essential for futures and crypto scalpers.
Minutes (Free)
- 1, 2 minutes — Ultra-short scalping.
- 3, 5, 15 minutes ★ — Intraday momentum (star these!).
- All minute intervals available on the Free plan.
Hours (Free)
- 1 hour ★ — Short-term swing entries.
- 2, 3 hours — Multi-session analysis.
- 4 hours — Popular forex and crypto timeframe.
Days / Weeks / Months (Free)
- 1 Day ★ — Core swing trading and positional timeframe.
- 1 Week ★ — Macro trend identification for investors.
- 3, 6, 12 Months — Ultra-long-term cycle mapping.
Range-Based Intervals
- 1 range — Each bar = 1 point of price movement.
- 10, 100 ranges — As used in Renko-style analysis.
- 1000 ranges — Extreme noise filtering.
Star (★) your most-used timeframes — they pin permanently to the top toolbar, saving you hundreds of clicks a day.
Professional Tip
Indian F&O traders: Star 3m, 5m, 15m, and 1D. These four cover 90% of intraday scalping + positional swing setups on NSE.
Professional Tip
Use the keyboard shortcut: simply type a number like '15' on the chart and press Enter to instantly switch to 15-minute candles — no clicking required.
Official Resources
TradingView blog post on how indicator resolution settings now accept custom-built intervals.
Use bar replay with different timeframes seamlessly — the replay position is remembered.
5. Bottom Date Ranges — Quick Navigations
At the very bottom of every TradingView chart, you'll find a Date Range selector bar: 1D, 5D, 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y, 5Y, All, and a calendar icon. Clicking any of these instantly rescales the entire chart to show exactly that period, automatically choosing the best candle interval to fit the data cleanly on screen.
This feature is an incredible time-saver — instead of manually scrolling or zooming, one click gives you the exact view you need. Hover over any button to see a tooltip explaining what it does (e.g., 'Year to day in 1 day intervals').
Intraday Ranges (1D / 5D)
- 1D — Shows today's session in minute-level candles.
- 5D — Last 5 trading sessions in 5-minute candles.
- Ideal for intraday scalpers and day traders.
- Candle interval auto-adjusts to minutes.
Swing Ranges (1M / 3M / 6M)
- 1M — Last month in hourly or daily candles.
- 3M — Quarterly view for positional setups.
- 6M — Half-year perspective on medium-term trends.
- Perfect for swing traders and sector watchers.
Long-Term Ranges (1Y / 5Y / All)
- 1Y — Annualized view in daily candles.
- 5Y — Multi-year chart in weekly candles.
- All — The entire available trading history.
- Essential for investors and cycle analysts.
YTD & Go To Date
- YTD — Year-To-Date: shows Jan 1st to today in daily candles.
- Hover tooltip reads: 'Year to day in 1 day intervals'.
- Calendar icon (🗓) = Jump to any exact date in history.
- Great for checking performance since budget day, election, or IPO.
Professional Tip
Use the '6M' range on the daily chart to set up swing trades — it gives you the perfect window for spotting 50-DMA and 200-DMA crossovers on Indian F&O stocks.
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Written By
Rohit Singh
Mr. Chartist
With 14+ years of experience in Indian financial markets, Rohit Singh (Mr. Chartist) is a SEBI Registered Research Analyst, Amazon #1 bestselling author, and the founder of Investology — a premium trading ecosystem trusted by a 1.5 Lakh+ strong community across India.
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