Stop indicator overload! Discover the only 7 indicators you need to start trading confidently.
Are you overwhelmed by the hundreds of indicators on TradingView? Do you find yourself adding indicator after indicator, only to end up with a messy chart that confuses you more than it helps?
Here's the truth: Most beginners use too many indicators and end up with "analysis paralysis." Professional traders often use just 2-3 indicators consistently. The secret isn't finding more indicators—it's finding the RIGHT ones and learning how to use them properly.
As mentors to thousands of Indian traders, we've tested every indicator in live market conditions. This guide will save you months of trial and error by showing you exactly which indicators work best for beginners, how to set them up correctly, and simple strategies you can use immediately.
By the end, you'll have a clean, effective trading setup that actually helps you make better decisions—not more confused ones.
Why Most Beginners Fail with Indicators (And How to Succeed)
Before we dive into specific indicators, understand these crucial principles that most beginners miss.
Adding 10+ indicators to your chart doesn't make you smarter—it makes you confused. Each indicator gives you a piece of the puzzle, but too many pieces create noise, not clarity.
The Golden Rules of Indicator Success
- Quality Over Quantity: Master 2-3 indicators thoroughly rather than using 10 poorly
- Understand the Purpose: Every indicator serves a specific purpose—trend identification, momentum, volatility, or volume
- Combine Different Types: Use one trend indicator + one momentum indicator + volume
- Keep It Simple: The best strategies are often the simplest ones
- Price Action First: Indicators should CONFIRM what price is telling you, not replace price analysis
The 7 Best TradingView Indicators for Beginners
These indicators are chosen for their simplicity, effectiveness, and reliability in Indian market conditions.
1. Moving Averages (EMA & SMA) - The Trend Spotter
What it does: Smoothes price data to identify trend direction and strength.
- Best Settings: EMA 9 & EMA 21 for short-term, EMA 50 & EMA 200 for long-term trend
- How to Add: Search "Moving Average Exponential" in Indicators
- Indian Example: Reliance bouncing off EMA 21 often indicates trend continuation
2. RSI (Relative Strength Index) - The Momentum Master
What it does: Measures the speed and change of price movements on a scale of 0-100.
- Best Settings: Period 14, levels at 30 and 70
- How to Add: Search "RSI" in Indicators
- Indian Example: Nifty often reverses when RSI hits extreme levels (below 30 or above 70)
3. MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) - The Trend Change Detector
What it does: Shows relationship between two moving averages and helps spot trend changes.
- Best Settings: Default (12,26,9) works perfectly
- How to Add: Search "MACD" in Indicators
- Indian Example: Bank Nifty trend changes often confirmed by MACD crossovers
4. Bollinger Bands - The Volatility Measurer
What it does: Shows price volatility and potential overbought/oversold conditions.
- Best Settings: Period 20, deviation 2
- How to Add: Search "Bollinger Bands" in Indicators
- Indian Example: TCS often bounces from lower Bollinger Band during bullish trends
5. Volume - The Truth Teller
What it does: Shows how many shares were traded, confirming the strength of price moves.
- Best Settings: Default settings work well
- How to Add: Already below chart, or search "Volume"
- Indian Example: Reliance breaking resistance with 2x average volume = strong signal
6. VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price) - The Institutional Benchmark
What it does: Shows the average price weighted by volume, used by institutions.
- Best Settings: Default settings
- How to Add: Search "VWAP" in Indicators
- Indian Example: Day traders use VWAP as primary trend indicator for Bank Nifty
7. Supertrend - The Simple Trend Follower
What it does: Easy-to-follow trend indicator that shows buy/sell signals clearly.
- Best Settings: Period 10, multiplier 3
- How to Add: Search "Supertrend" in Indicators
- Indian Example: Excellent for swing trading Nifty stocks with clear trend signals
Knowing Indicators is One Thing... Using Them Profitably is Another
You now know the best indicators, but the real skill is knowing exactly WHEN to trust them and when to ignore false signals.
Our ₹499 Trading Course teaches you not just which indicators to use, but how to combine them into a profitable trading system with proper risk management.
Learn Professional Indicator Strategies - Enroll Now!3 Simple Indicator Combinations That Actually Work
Instead of randomly adding indicators, use these proven combinations.
Combination 1: Trend Following System
Strategy: Buy when EMA 9 > EMA 21 and price > both EMAs with increasing volume
Best For: Swing trading Nifty 50 stocks
Combination 2: Momentum Reversal System
Strategy: Buy when RSI < 30, price at lower Bollinger Band, and MACD showing bullish divergence
Best For: Spotting trend reversals in Bank Nifty
Combination 3: Intraday Trading System
Strategy: Buy when price > VWAP, Supertrend green, and volume confirming
Best For: Day trading with clear entry/exit signals
5 Deadly Indicator Mistakes Every Beginner Makes
1. Using Too Many Indicators
The Problem: Chart looks like a rainbow but provides no clear signals
The Fix: Maximum 3-4 indicators total. Choose one from each category.
2. Chasing Lagging Indicators
The Problem: Most indicators are lagging—they tell you what already happened
The Fix: Use indicators to confirm price action, not predict it.
3. Ignoring Timeframe Context
The Problem: Using daily signals for intraday trading or vice versa
The Fix: Always check higher timeframe trend first, then use lower timeframe for entries.
4. Not Understanding Settings
The Problem: Using random settings without understanding what they do
The Fix: Start with default settings, then adjust only when you understand the impact.
5. Indicator Shopping Addiction
The Problem: Constantly searching for "the perfect indicator" that doesn't exist
The Fix: Master the basic indicators first. The problem is rarely the indicator—it's the trader.
Pro Tips: From Beginner to Indicator Expert
Begin your analysis on daily/weekly charts to identify the major trend, then move to lower timeframes for entries. This prevents you from fighting the larger trend.
Wait for price to show you the direction first, then use indicators to confirm the move. Price action leads, indicators follow.
All indicators lag price to some degree. Moving averages lag more than others. Understand how much lag each indicator has.
When trading on mobile, use only 1-2 simple indicators like Supertrend + Volume. Complex setups are hard to read on small screens.
Some indicators work better with slight adjustments for Indian market volatility. [Link to Trading Course] for our tested Indian market settings.
Your Step-by-Step Indicator Setup Guide
Follow this exact process to create your perfect beginner trading setup.
Step 1: Clean Your Chart
Remove ALL indicators. Start fresh with just price and volume.
Step 2: Add Trend Indicator
Choose ONE: EMA 9/21 or Supertrend. This tells you the trend direction.
Step 3: Add Momentum Indicator
Choose ONE: RSI or MACD. This tells you if the trend is strengthening or weakening.
Step 4: Add Volume
Always keep volume visible. It confirms whether moves are genuine.
Step 5: Save as Template
Save your clean setup as a chart template so you can apply it to any stock instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many indicators should a beginner use?
Start with 2-3 indicators maximum. Master them completely before considering adding more. Quality beats quantity every time.
2. Which is the most accurate indicator for beginners?
No indicator is 100% accurate, but Moving Averages and RSI are among the most reliable for beginners because they're simple to understand and widely followed.
3. Are paid indicators better than free ones?
Generally, no. The free indicators that come with TradingView are more than sufficient. Most paid indicators are just repackaged versions of free ones with fancy marketing.
4. Why do my indicators give conflicting signals?
This usually means the market is in consolidation or ranging. During clear trends, good indicators align. During choppy markets, it's better to wait for clarity.
5. Should I use the same indicators for all timeframes?
You can, but may need to adjust settings. RSI works similarly across timeframes, but moving averages might need period adjustments for different timeframes.
6. How do I know which indicator settings to use?
Start with default settings. They work well for most situations. Only adjust when you have a specific reason and understand what the setting changes.
7. Can I make money using only 2-3 indicators?
Absolutely! Many professional traders use just 1-2 indicators. The key is mastery and consistency, not indicator complexity.
8. What's the best indicator for Indian stock market?
For Indian markets, VWAP is particularly useful for intraday, while Moving Averages and RSI work well across all timeframes for swing trading.
9. How long does it take to master an indicator?
With focused practice, you can become proficient with an indicator in 2-3 weeks. Mastery takes 3-6 months of consistent use in live market conditions.
10. Should I use indicators for options trading?
Yes, the same indicators work for options, but focus on the underlying asset's chart. Also, options benefit from volatility indicators which we cover in our advanced course.
11. Why do indicators work sometimes but not others?
Indicators work best in trending markets and poorly in ranging markets. Learning to identify market conditions is as important as the indicators themselves.
12. Can I create my own custom indicators?
Yes, with Pine Script knowledge, but we recommend mastering standard indicators first. Most trading needs are covered by the built-in indicators.
Conclusion: From Indicator Confusion to Trading Confidence
You now have everything you need to start using TradingView indicators like a pro:
- The 7 best indicators for beginners with exact settings
- Proven combinations that actually work
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Simple step-by-step setup guide
But here's the reality that most gurus won't tell you: Knowing which indicators to use is only 20% of the battle. The real skill—the 80% that separates profitable traders from the rest—is knowing:
- Exactly WHEN to enter based on indicator signals
- How to filter out false signals
- Where to place your stop-loss
- When to take profits
- How to manage risk on every trade
Ready to Move Beyond Basic Indicators?
Our ₹499 Trading Course takes you from "indicator knower" to "confident trader" with:
- Complete trading system using these indicators
- Exact entry/exit rules with real examples
- Risk management strategies that protect your capital
- Live market analysis and ongoing support
- Community of serious Indian traders
Stop collecting indicators. Start collecting profits.
Transform Your Trading - Enroll for Just ₹499!