A trader's guide to understanding and using trendlines

CMC Markets
2 minute read
|26 Nov 2025
Understanding and using trendlines

Key takeaways

  • Learn how trendlines reveal a market’s direction with clarity. This guide explains how traders use trendlines to quickly identify whether prices are moving up, down, or sideways and how these simple tools can bring structure to volatile markets.

  • Understand how to draw and interpret trendlines with confidence. You’ll learn the difference between uptrend and downtrend lines, why highs/lows (wicks) matter more than closing prices, and how support and resistance form along these lines.

  • Discover practical rules for trading with trendlines. Learn how price behaviour near a trendline can signal momentum, reversals, or potential breakouts. Insight traders use to plan entries, exits, and risk management.

  • See real chart examples of trendline setups. Through visual illustrations, the guide shows how uptrends and downtrends are formed, how breakdowns occur, and how orders can be positioned around key levels.

  • Know when trendlines need to be redrawn. Markets evolve, and trendlines can lose relevance after breaches or changes in trend speed. This guide explains how to adapt your charting so your analysis stays reliable.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments, or as a recommendation and/or investment advice. It does not intend to support an investment decision and it should not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any financial instruments. You should consider your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on the information in this article. CMC Markets believes that the information in this article is correct, and any opinions and conclusions are reasonably held or made on information available at the time of its compilation, but no representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statements made in this article. CMC Markets is under no obligation to, and does not, update or keep current the information contained in this article. Neither CMC Markets nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries accepts liability for loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of this article. Any opinions or conclusions set forth in this article are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to the opinions or conclusions expressed by any other members of CMC Markets.

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