We keep the practice set focused on the seven major pairs: EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, AUD/USD, USD/CAD and NZD/USD. These are the most actively quoted pairs in the world, which means they tend to have tighter spreads and a steady stream of price movement to learn from. A small, clear set is easier to learn from than a long list of unfamiliar pairs.
The pairs, one by one
- EUR/USD — euro against the US dollar. The most actively traded pair in the world, and usually the best starting point because so much educational material is written around it.
- USD/JPY — US dollar against the Japanese yen. Often reacts to shifts in broader market sentiment, since the yen is widely treated as a safer currency to hold when conditions feel uncertain.
- GBP/USD — British pound against the US dollar. Known for sharper, faster moves around UK economic data and Bank of England announcements.
- USD/CHF — US dollar against the Swiss franc. The franc is another currency often favoured during uncertain periods, so this pair frequently mirrors moves seen elsewhere in reverse.
- AUD/USD — Australian dollar against the US dollar. Tends to track global demand for raw materials, since Australia is a major commodity exporter.
- USD/CAD — US dollar against the Canadian dollar. Closely linked to oil prices, given Canada's position as a major oil producer.
- NZD/USD — New Zealand dollar against the US dollar. Shares some of the same commodity-linked behaviour as AUD/USD, but with its own local drivers.
Why a focused set works
Every one of these pairs includes the US dollar on one side, so learning how the dollar tends to behave gives you a head start on all seven. Instead of memorising dozens of unrelated pairs, you build one core skill — reading dollar strength and weakness — and then layer each pair's own character on top of it.
Practise this
Pick two pairs that share a currency, such as USD/JPY and USD/CHF, and watch them side by side in the simulator for a session. Notice where they move together and where they diverge — that comparison is one of the fastest ways to build a feel for how the majors relate to one another.