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What this topic means
Open is the first observed price in the selected interval and close is the last observed price when that interval ends.
A practical beginner checklist
- High and low show the extremes reached in the same interval. They may sit beyond the rectangle forming the candle’s body.
- A green or bullish body commonly means the close was above the open; a red or bearish body means the reverse. Platform colour settings can vary.
- A candle’s shape summarises the past interval; the next interval is uncertain and must not be treated as determined by a single formation.
- Compare candles at the same chart interval and confirm what price feed and financial instrument you are viewing.
Illustrative price units. The body measures close minus open; the full range measures high minus low.
A worked OHLC example: one completed candle
Imagine a five-minute interval from 10:00 to 10:05. These are illustrative prices, not a live market feed: open 100, high 108, low 97 and close 105.
| Value | Price | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 100 | First observed price at the start of the interval |
| High | 108 | Highest observed price during the interval |
| Low | 97 | Lowest observed price during the interval |
| Close | 105 | Last observed price when the interval ended |
The body runs from 100 to 105, so its height is 5 price units. The upper wick runs from 105 to 108: 3 units. The lower wick runs from 97 to 100: also 3 units. The complete high-to-low range is 108 − 97 = 11 units. Because close is above open, this example is bullish for that interval.
The bearish version
If open were 105 and close 100, with the same high of 108 and low of 97, the body would still be 5 units tall. The candle would be bearish because close is below open. Body colour is a display setting; the numerical relationship establishes direction.
What OHLC cannot reveal
The four values do not tell you whether the high happened before the low, how many times price crossed the open, or the next candle’s direction. Different intrainterval paths can produce the same OHLC values. A candle still forming also has a changing close, high and low.
Misunderstandings to avoid
A chart screenshot or an influencer’s selective recording is not independent evidence of a profitable approach. Verify the operator’s legal name, applicable product and jurisdiction directly. Practice interfaces can support learning, but they do not demonstrate real-money performance or confirm withdrawal terms.
- High and low show the extremes reached in the same interval. They may sit beyond the rectangle forming the candle’s body.
- A candle’s shape summarises the past interval; the next interval is uncertain and must not be treated as determined by a single formation.
Where to go next
Work through the Academy explanations and use the payout calculator to understand the numbers. For any particular provider, review current terms and country restrictions separately.
Frequently asked questions
Does this guide guarantee a result?
No. The material is educational. A binary contract may lose the whole stake, and no part of this explanation predicts future outcomes.
Is a doji automatically a reversal signal?
No. A doji has an open and close that are equal or close together relative to its range. Its interpretation depends on context; the shape alone does not establish what happens next.
Why do two platforms show different candles?
Check the instrument, quote feed, timezone, interval boundaries and bid/ask convention. A matching symbol label does not guarantee identical data. Broker-labelled OTC quotes require their own price-source checks.
Research sources and further reading
- CFTC & SEC — Binary Options Investor Alert
- SEBI — How to Spot a Scam
- Our Academy
- Country guidance
- Free Payout Calculator
This is general education and does not recommend opening an account, taking a financial position or relying on expected profits.