Understanding What Is Trading Volume in Exness

Author: Jameson Richman Expert

Published On: 2025-10-29

Prepared by Jameson Richman and our team of experts with over a decade of experience in cryptocurrency and digital asset analysis. Learn more about us.

What is trading volume in Exness is a common question among new and experienced traders who use Exness platforms. This article explains what trading volume means in general, how Exness displays and measures volume on its platforms (MT4/MT5 and Web Terminal), practical uses of volume in price analysis, step-by-step instructions to view and interpret volume, real examples and calculations, limitations to be aware of, and actionable strategies you can test. You’ll also find reputable external resources and recommended platforms to practice volume-based trading.


Why trading volume matters

Why trading volume matters

Volume is a core market metric that shows how many units of an asset have been traded during a particular time period. It’s an essential confirmation tool for price moves, a guide to liquidity and execution quality, and a key input for several technical indicators (On-Balance Volume, Volume Profile, VWAP, etc.). High volume often validates price direction; low volume can signal a lack of conviction and the potential for false breakouts.

For traders on Exness — whether trading forex, CFDs, or cryptocurrencies — understanding volume helps you manage risk, choose the best trade times, and size positions correctly.

What does "volume" mean in different markets?

  • Stock & crypto exchanges: Volume is usually the number of shares or tokens traded and is an absolute measure (e.g., 1,200 BTC traded in the last 24 hours).
  • Futures & centralized exchange markets: Volume is the number of contracts or lots traded per period and is reported as real transaction volume by the exchange.
  • Forex (interbank) markets: There is no single centralized volume data source. Platforms like MetaTrader show tick volume (price updates count) as a proxy unless the broker provides aggregated real volume data.

For a general definition of trading volume, see the Investopedia entry on trading volume and the Wikipedia overview on trading volume.

Useful reading: Trading volume — Wikipedia, Trading volume — Investopedia

How Exness displays trading volume

Exness clients typically trade using MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), or Exness Web Terminal. How volume appears depends on the platform and the instrument type:

  • MetaTrader (MT4/MT5): The standard Volume indicator in MT4/MT5 usually shows tick volume (number of price changes) unless the broker feeds real volume data. For forex pairs on MT4, expect tick volume; for CFD instruments, the volume displayed could be broker-provided or still a tick proxy.
  • Exness Web Terminal: The web charting interface may show volume histograms similar to MT platforms. Check the symbol specification or Exness support to confirm whether that volume is tick-based or real.
  • Instrument specifications: Exness provides instrument details in the trading terminal (spread, contract size, and often how volume is represented). Always review the symbol specification for the asset you trade.

Why this distinction matters: Real trade volume and tick volume behave differently. On centralized exchanges (Binance, etc.), reported volume equals executed trade sizes — that’s useful for precise liquidity and order-book analysis. On MT platforms with tick volume, the number still correlates with activity and can be used for analysis, but it is not equivalent to actual traded units across the whole market.

Lot size and contract size on Exness

When you place trades on Exness, you often specify volume in lots rather than raw units. Understanding contract size is essential:

  • Forex standard lot on MT4/MT5 = 100,000 units of the base currency (commonly). So 0.1 lot = 10,000 units.
  • Some instruments have different contract sizes (e.g., indices, commodities, crypto CFDs). Check the symbol’s Contract Size in Exness instrument details.

Example: Opening 0.2 lot EURUSD means exposure to 20,000 EUR (0.2 × 100,000). If EURUSD moves 10 pips and pip value for 1 lot is $10, the profit/loss for 0.2 lot is $20.


How to view trading volume on Exness (step-by-step)

How to view trading volume on Exness (step-by-step)

Here are practical steps to find and use volume data on Exness platforms.

On MetaTrader 4 / MetaTrader 5

  1. Open your Exness MT4/MT5 application and log in to your account.
  2. Open a chart for the symbol you’re interested in (e.g., EURUSD or BTCUSD).
  3. From the "Insert" menu choose "Indicators" > "Volumes" > "Volumes" (MT4) or add the Volume indicator in MT5.
  4. The volume histogram will appear below your price chart showing per-candle volume bars.
  5. To analyze, compare volume peaks with price moves, look for higher-than-average volume during breakouts, or add On-Balance Volume (OBV) and Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP) indicators if available.

Tip: If you’re unsure whether the volume is tick volume or real volume, check the symbol’s details in Exness or contact Exness support for confirmation.

On Exness Web Terminal

  1. Log in to the Exness Web Terminal via your Exness account dashboard.
  2. Open the chart for your chosen symbol.
  3. Look for a "Volume" toggle or add the volume indicator from the indicators panel.
  4. Use the same interpretative techniques as in MT4/MT5 — look for volume confirmation and divergences.

How traders use volume on Exness — practical strategies

Volume-based signals can improve the reliability of trade setups. Below are common ways traders on Exness use volume data with examples and actionable rules.

1. Confirming breakouts

Rule: Only trust a breakout if it occurs on above-average volume.

Example: EURUSD has been range-bound between 1.0800–1.0880. Price breaks above 1.0880 but volume is below the 20-period average. The breakout is likely weak and may fail. If volume spikes above average during the breakout, the probability of continuation is higher.

2. Spotting false breakouts (volume divergence)

Rule: If price makes a new high but volume decreases, suspect a divergence and potential reversal.

Example: BTCUSD on your Exness CFD chart makes a higher high, but the volume bars shrink. That indicates waning buying pressure; consider tightening stops or looking for bearish setups.

3. Volume and trend strength (OBV and VWAP)

  • OBV (On-Balance Volume): Useful to see whether volume supports price trend. Rising OBV with rising price confirms the uptrend.
  • VWAP (Volume-weighted average price): Useful intraday to identify fair price and institutional buying/selling. Institutional participation tends to be volume-weighted.

4. Volume spikes for entry/exit

Rule: Sudden, large spikes in volume often coincide with institutional entries or news-driven moves. Use them for breakout entries or to avoid playing into volatile pumps.

5. Liquidity and slippage considerations

Low volume periods often lead to wider spreads and slippage. If you execute market orders in illiquid times (overnight or off-market hours for a given instrument), expect worse fills. Plan entries during times of higher activity (European & US sessions for major forex pairs, exchange hours for stocks/crypto).

Examples and calculations

Here are worked examples showing how to translate the volume you enter into exposure and approximate risk.

Example 1 — Forex on Exness (EURUSD)

  • Contract size: 100,000 units per lot (typical standard lot)
  • Trade volume: 0.05 lot
  • Exposure: 0.05 × 100,000 = 5,000 EUR
  • Pip value (approx for USD base): 1 pip = USD 0.5 per 0.05 lot if 1 pip = $10 for 1 lot.

If you set a 20-pip stop-loss: risk = 20 pips × $0.5 = $10. That’s your approximate maximum loss before broker commissions/spreads.

Example 2 — Crypto CFD on Exness (BTCUSD)

Crypto CFDs may have different contract sizes on Exness. Suppose contract size = 1 contract = 1 BTC (hypothetical). If you open 0.1 contract, your exposure equals 0.1 BTC. If BTC moves $500 and you hold 0.1 BTC, P&L = $50.

Always check the exact contract specification in Exness to calculate precise exposure.


Limitations, pitfalls, and important clarifications

Limitations, pitfalls, and important clarifications

  • Tick volume vs real volume: For forex, MT platforms usually show tick volume which is a reliable proxy for activity but not the same as total market trade volume. If you need exchange-level real volume, use centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (e.g., Binance) or exchange-specific data providers.
  • Broker-specific data: Volume shown on your Exness account may reflect the broker’s liquidity pool and routing. That’s why comparing volume across platforms can show differences.
  • News events: Volume spikes around major economic news can cause slippage. Avoid placing market entries right at scheduled news releases unless you use specific news strategies.
  • Over-reliance on volume: Volume should be part of a broader trading plan with risk management, not the sole decision driver.

Optimizing your trading using volume on Exness

Here are practical, actionable tips to leverage volume in your Exness trading plan.

  1. Combine volume with price action: Use volume to confirm candle patterns, support/resistance breaks, and trendlines.
  2. Use multiple timeframes: Confirm that the higher timeframe shows volume support for moves seen on your trading timeframe.
  3. Set alerts on volume spikes: Use MT5 scripts or Web Terminal notifications (if available) to catch unusual volume increases that may precede big moves.
  4. Run backtests on demo accounts: Before applying volume rules live, test them in Exness demo accounts to gauge expectancy and drawdowns.
  5. Account for spreads and commissions: High-volume times often have tighter spreads, but some instruments widen during news; always include cost in your edge calculations.
  6. Use stop placement with average volume context: A tighter stop might be reasonable in high-volume contexts where liquidity supports your fill, whereas in shallow markets allow wider stops to avoid getting stopped out by noise.

Tools and indicators to use with volume

  • Volume histogram: Simple and effective — compare each candle to a moving average of volume.
  • On-Balance Volume (OBV): Detects accumulation/distribution trends.
  • Volume Profile & Market Profile: Shows where volume concentrated at price levels (requires third-party plugins for MT4/MT5).
  • Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP): Useful for intraday fairness and institutional flow (available in MT5 custom indicators and many web terminals).
  • VWMA (Volume-weighted moving average): A smooth trend indicator that weights by volume.

Third-party technical libraries and custom indicators for MT4/MT5 can add volume-profile tools that are not in standard MT versions. Test them on Exness demo to ensure compatibility.


Where to practice and test volume-based strategies

Where to practice and test volume-based strategies

It’s recommended to practice volume strategies on demo accounts first, then move to small sizes on live. For crypto-specific volume (true traded units), use reputable centralized exchanges that publish real trade volume. Recommended exchanges and platforms:

  • Register on Binance — for exchange-level crypto volume and deep order books.
  • MEXC — another crypto exchange with real trading volume data.
  • Bitget — crypto derivative and spot exchange offering volume metrics.
  • Bybit — exchange with strong liquidity for many crypto markets.

For Exness-specific practice, use an Exness demo account and replicate the signals you observe on exchange data to understand differences between tick volume and real exchange volume.

Case studies and examples to review

To deepen your practical understanding, read dedicated articles and analyses that show volume behavior during market cycles and crypto seasons:

How regulators and market data providers publish volume

Centralized exchanges and regulated markets publish trade-level volume and order-book information. For regulated markets and equities, exchanges and regulators (e.g., SEC) publish official statistics. For forex, because the market is decentralized, you’ll rely on broker-provided or tick-volume proxies as previously noted.

For background on market data and trade reporting, see educational resources like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pages and exchange documentation. Example: U.S. SEC.


Checklist: How to use trading volume on Exness — quick reference

Checklist: How to use trading volume on Exness — quick reference

  1. Confirm whether volume is tick volume or real volume for your instrument via Exness symbol specs or support.
  2. Add a Volume histogram and OBV on your chart for confirmation signals.
  3. Always confirm breakouts with above-average volume (e.g., greater than the 20-period moving average of volume).
  4. Use multiple timeframes — the higher timeframe should support your signal.
  5. Backtest rules on demo accounts before trading with real capital.
  6. Consider liquidity windows (session times) and avoid low-volume off-hours for aggressive market orders.
  7. Factor in spread and commission into risk/reward calculations.

Final thoughts

Understanding what is trading volume in Exness equips you to make better entry and exit decisions, tailor your position sizing, and avoid costly slippage. Remember that volume as displayed on Exness platforms may be a tick-based proxy for forex pairs or broker-provided data for CFDs, so check instrument specifications when you need precise volume measures. Combine volume with price action, multiple timeframes, and robust risk management to create reliable, repeatable strategies.

If you want to deepen your knowledge with practical examples and market-specific analyses, explore the linked case studies above, open a demo account on Exness to test volume indicators, and consider exchange-level data on Binance, MEXC, Bitget, or Bybit for real crypto volume insights.

Further reading and practical next steps:

By combining careful interpretation of volume on Exness with these tools and references, you can improve trade quality and increase confidence in your market decisions.