Tick Volume and Real Volume
Real volume counts the units actually traded; tick volume counts price changes and is used as a proxy where real volume is unavailable, as in spot forex.
Real volume counts how many units actually traded. Tick volume counts how many times the price changed. In decentralised markets like spot forex there is no single volume figure, so platforms show tick volume as a proxy for activity.
- Category
- Market Structure
- Reading time
- 2 min
- Also called
- Tick volume, Trade volume, Real volume
- Updated
Tick vs real volume in plain words
For indices, forex and crypto CFDs, many platforms show tick volume — the number of price updates, not the number of units traded.1
By contrast it uses trade volume for stocks.1
Some platforms let you choose between the two in code: one setting for tick volume, another for real trade volume.2
How to read each volume type
Check the market
Centralised or not?
Check the data
Use real trade volume where the platform has it.3
Tick fallback
Otherwise, fall back on tick volume.4
Know what it counts
Tick volume indicates the number of price updates.1
Compare relatively
Use tick volume to compare bars, not as units.
Confirm moves
Rising activity can confirm breakouts.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Forex bar
340 ticksHypothetical EUR/USD 5-minute bar: 340 price updates.
| Tick volume | 340 |
This tick volume indicates the number of price updates, not the money traded.1
Example 2 — Stock bar
12,000Hypothetical stock bar: 25 trades, 12,000 shares.
| Real volume | 12,000 |
Charts use trade volume for stocks, so this bar shows 12,000.1
Example 3 — Relative use
Activity upTick volume rises from 200 to 600 at a breakout.
| Change | +200% |
Because tick volume indicates the number of price updates, a jump shows more activity.1
Tick volume vs real volume
| Aspect | Tick volume | Real volume |
|---|---|---|
| Counts | Price changes | Units traded |
| Used for | Forex, CFDs | Stocks, futures |
| Accuracy | Proxy | Direct |
| Source | Broker feed | Exchange |
Where each type helps
Forex
Reading Volume in spot FX.
Breakouts
Confirming a Breakout.
Indicators
Inputs to Volume-Weighted Average Price.
Flow
Context for Order Flow.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Tick volume works where real volume is missing.
- Both show activity changes.
- Easy to chart.
Disadvantages
- Tick volume differs by broker feed.
- It ignores trade size.
- Real volume may be missing for CFDs.
- Mixing types misleads.
Going deeper
Read as far as you need. Each level builds on the one before it.
Common mistakes
Treating ticks as units
They are counts.
Comparing brokers' ticks
Feeds differ.
Using tick volume on stocks
Use real volume.
Ignoring zero real volume
Check the data.
Check your understanding
Test yourself before moving on. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Key points to remember
- Real volume counts units traded.
- Tick volume counts price changes.
- Forex uses tick volume as a proxy.
- Use tick volume relatively.
- Feeds differ by broker.
Frequently asked questions
Why no real volume in forex?
Is tick volume useful?
Do futures have real volume?
Further learning
- Volume
Volume basics.
- Volume-Weighted Average Price
Volume-weighted price.
- Order Flow
Flow analysis.
- Breakout
Volume confirmation.
Sources
This article is written in our own words. The sources below support the specific facts, rules and figures marked with a number in the text. Links open the original publisher’s page.
- TradingView. Volume profile indicators: basic concepts (opens in a new tab) Checked .
- MetaQuotes (MQL5 Reference). Price Constants (opens in a new tab) Checked .
- MetaQuotes (MQL5 Reference). CopyRealVolume (opens in a new tab) Checked .
- MetaQuotes (MQL5 Reference). CopyTickVolume (opens in a new tab) Checked .
Educational content, not financial advice. Examples use hypothetical prices and simplified costs; actual fees, margin rules and regulations vary by broker, market and country. We are not affiliated with any publisher linked above. Last reviewed . Report an error or request a source credit.