The Best Forex Pairs to Trade for Beginners in 2025

Key Takeaways

• A forex pair has a base and a quote currency, and the price shows how much quote is needed to buy one unit of the base.

• For  most beginners, the best currency pairs to trade are liquid majors such as EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD and AUD/USD because they offer tighter spreads and abundant information.

• Pairs fall into major, minor and exotic groups, so the best currencies to trade for you depend on strategy, risk tolerance and the market session since hours affect spreads and volatility.

• Volatility differs by pair; some of the most predictable currency pairs such as USD/CHF suit range tactics, while wider movers fit breakouts or swing trading. Trade only what aligns with your plan.

• Start with a regulated broker such as TMGM that offers clear pricing, leverage, MT4 with a demo and backtesting, fast execution from NY4 servers, deep liquidity, and support around the clock.

What is a Forex Pair?

A forex pair, also called a currency pair, represents two currencies traded against each other in the forex market. The first currency is the base currency, and the second is the quote currency, which shows how much of the quote currency is needed to buy one unit of the base. 

For example, in EUR/USD, EUR is the base and USD is the quote. In forex trading, forex pairs are grouped into major, minor, and exotic categories, and some of the best currency pairs to trade for beginners include EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY.

What is a Base Currency and Quote Currency?

In forex trading, a currency pair consists of two currencies: the base currency and the quote currency. The base currency appears first and represents the amount being bought or sold, while the quote currency comes second and shows how much of it is needed to buy one unit of the base. For example, in the pair EUR/USD, EUR is the base and USD is the quote. The quote currency is also known as the counter currency and is used to determine the exchange rate value.

How to read forex pairs

Forex pairs are written with a combination of two abbreviations, for instance, (EUR/USD, AUD/USD, or USD/JPY).

The first currency in the pair is known as the “base,” while the second is the “quote.” The forex price is the amount of quote currency it takes to buy 1 unit of the base currency.

For example, AUD/USD 0.67 means you can buy 1 unit of AUD ($1 Australian) with 0.67 of the quote currency ($0.67 US). You must first learn how to read forex charts to interpret price movements and spot trends.

The Most Traded Forex Pairs

Many traders start by focusing on the most traded forex pairs because they are usually the best currency pairs to trade right now in terms of liquidity and tight spreads.

EUR/USD

EUR/USD is the most traded pair in the world. On some days, one of every four forex trades involves this pair.

USD/JPY

USD/JPY is the second most traded pair because Japan’s economy is considered a benchmark for Asia.

GBP/USD

GBP/USD is usually ranked third due to transatlantic economic ties.

AUD/USD

AUD/USD is the fourth most-traded pair due to Australia’s status as a regional benchmark and trading partner.

Types of Forex Currency Pairs

While there are many currency pairs on the market, traders should be aware that these pairs fall into three broad categories — major pairs, minor pairs and exotic pairs.

What are Major Forex Pairs?

What are the major forex pairs? Major pairs are among the most widely traded pairs on the global market, as they are tied to the US dollar. Minor pairs involve currencies outside the USD, while exotic pairs are currencies from smaller countries paired with major currencies.

What Forex Pairs Move the Most?

This can be difficult to answer as the market changes every second, making it almost impossible to predict the most profitable pairs. However, some top forex pairs such as USD/CHF move within tight ranges, while others see wider swing trades, so the best currency pairs to trade right now will depend on whether you prefer range, breakout or trend trading strategies.

Swing traders and those seeking range breakouts typically think that the best forex pairs to trade experience wide price changes. Still, you should only execute trades you are comfortable with and that align with your investment strategy.

If you focus on short term trades, the best forex pairs for scalping are usually highly liquid majors during active sessions, while swing traders may prefer the most predictable currency pairs that hold trends over days or weeks.

Some pairs are more active during certain forex market hours, which can affect spreads and volatility.

The Best Currency Pairs to Trade for Beginners

For beginners, the best forex pairs to trade tend to be a short list of liquid majors. These are also the safest starting point when choosing top 3 forex pairs to watch each day, before you explore cross pairs and exotics.

If you're just starting out, this guide is ideal for exploring forex trading for beginners.

Start Trading Currency Pairs with TMGM

When trading forex, traders must find a regulated broker to help conduct trades securely. TMGM offers clear spreads, leverage and transparent pricing. The spread in forex represents the difference between bids and ask price, and it varies between currency pairs. Price changes in forex pairs are measured in pips, the smallest unit of movement in a quote.

We also have 10+ liquidity providers, rapid NY4 servers for superior trade execution speeds and 24/7 support.

After you decide on the best currency pairs to trade, you’ll also need a trading platform. MetaTrader 4 is a top platform for new forex traders because it offers a demo account mode, back-testing features to test your strategies on historical market data, and customisable charts and indicators so that you can get all the necessary information on one screen. You can download MetaTrader 4 directly from the TMGM website.

Open a forex trading account with TMGM today. For other trading options, please visit our range of markets.