ICT Timeframes for Position, Swing & Scalping: 3 Steps + Example

Picking the right timeframes is one of the simplest edge improvements you can make.

ICT’s approach is built on a clear timeframe hierarchy: use a higher timeframe to set bias and context, a mid timeframe to find structure and levels, and a lower timeframe to time the exact entry.

Below is a compact, practical guide with examples.

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1. The ICT Timeframe Pyramid (easy rule)

• Map / Bias (HTF) — Weekly → Daily
  Use to define the big picture: trend, major liquidity pools, and where price is in premium/discount.
• Structure / Setup (MTF) — 4H → 1H → 30m
  Use to mark order blocks, Fair Value Gaps (FVGs), support/resistance, and session ranges.
• Trigger / Execution (LTF) — 15m → 5m → 1m → 30s
  Use to confirm MSS/CHOCH, FVG fills, and take micro entries (Son’s Model or 30s setups).

Always read from top → down. Don’t trade without a mapped bias.

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2. Position Trading (weeks → months) in ICT

• Primary timeframes: Weekly (map) + Daily (bias) + 4H or 1H (entries).
• What you do:
  1. Use Weekly to decide long-term bias (trend, major support/resistance).
  2. Use Daily to refine bias and locate large order blocks / weekly high/low.
  3. Use 4H or 1H to find a clean order block, FVG, or OTE to enter.
• Stops & targets: Wide stops beyond structure (many 100s of pips for FX), targets measured in HTF structure (next major liquidity pool, multi-week swing).
• Example: EURUSD weekly uptrend. Wait for daily retrace into a 4H bullish order block and enter on 4H/1H confirmation. Risk 0.5–1% of account per position.

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3. Swing Trading (days → 1–3 weeks) in ICT

• Primary timeframes: Daily (map/bias) + 4H (structure) + 1H or 15m (entry).
• What you do:
  1. Use Daily to set bias and mark PDH/PDL, weekly high/low.
  2. Use 4H to locate order blocks, FVGs, or Fair Value rebalancing zones.
  3. Use 1H/15m to wait for MSS, FVG retrace, and a clean entry candle.
• Stops & targets: Medium stops (dozens → a few hundred pips depending on pair/timeframe). Targets often equal to recent swing or next H4 liquidity.
• Example: GBPUSD daily bias bearish. Price forms bearish order block on 4H. On the 1H, MSS confirms; enter short on retest of the OB with a 40–80 pip stop and target the prior weekly low.

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4. Intraday / Scalping (minutes → same day) in ICT

• Primary timeframes: 1H or 15m (bias/structure) + 5m / 1m / 30s (execution).
• What you do:
  1. Use 1H or 15m for the session bias and to mark Asian range / session levels.
  2. Focus on killzones (London, New York) for higher-probability intraday moves.
  3. Use 5m for setup (FVG, small OB) and 1m / 30s for the Son’s Model entry and tight stops.
• Stops & targets: Very tight stops (single-digit → low double-digit pips). Targets small (10–30 pips for FX) depending on pair and spread. Risk per scalp should be tiny (0.1%–0.5% typical).
• Example: NY Killzone. EURUSD has bullish bias on 15m. Price sweeps low, MSS up on 5m, then 30s FVG fill — enter long for a 12–20 pip scalp with stop just below the sweep.

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5. Practical entry recipe (apply to any timeframe) in ICT

1. HTF bias confirmed (Weekly/Daily).
2. Mark important levels on MTF (4H/1H): order blocks, FVGs, session highs/lows, PDH/PDL.
3. Wait for liquidity sweep / MSS on LTF (5m/1m).
4. Enter on retrace into FVG or OB with stop beyond sweep.
5. Size position so dollar risk = desired % of account.

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6. Position sizing & stop guidance (short) in ICT

• Define risk% per trade first (position: 0.5–2%; swing: 0.5–1.5%; scalp: 0.1–0.5%).
• Calculate lot size from stop distance and pip value — never size from leverage.
• Keep margin usage moderate: avoid stacking many LTF trades that eat free margin.

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7. Quick checklist before you click “trade” about ICT Timeframes for Position, Swing & Scalping

• HTF bias aligns with the idea?
• Key levels (PDH/PDL, Asian range, weekly high/low) marked?
• Clear MSS / displacement on trigger timeframe?
• FVG or Order Block for an entry?
• Spread, session volatility, and news checked?
• Risk per trade fits your plan?

If any answer is “no,” don’t enter.

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8. Final tips (common-sense ICT rules) for ICT Timeframes

• Fewer charts, better focus. Use the timeframe pyramid and stick to it.
• Killzones matter: London & New York have the best intraday setups.
• Lower TF gives precision but more noise — only trade LTF after HTF alignment.
• Practice on replay/demo: timing and stop placement are a skill you develop, not guesswork.