In forex trading, some currency pairs are more popular than others. These pairs are traded the most. They have high liquidity and tight spreads. That means more people are trading them. And it’s easier to get in and out of trades fast.
The 28 major forex pairs list comes from combining 8 big world currencies. These are USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, CAD, AUD, and NZD. When you put these together, you get 28 different pairs. Each one moves differently. Some move fast. Others move slowly. Knowing how they behave helps traders make better choices.
This article will explain the top pairs. It will show how they act in the market. It will also share tips for trading them the smart way.
What Makes These Pairs Major?
These 28 pairs are not called major because they are always calm. They are called major because they include the most traded currencies in the world. These currencies come from countries with big economies and stable governments.
When you trade these pairs, you get:
- Low spreads
- High liquidity
- More trading hours
This makes them good for both beginners and experts.
The 28 Major Forex Pairs List
Here are the 8 currencies that make up the list:
- USD: US Dollar
- EUR: Euro
- GBP: British Pound
- JPY: Japanese Yen
- CHF: Swiss Franc
- CAD: Canadian Dollar
- AUD: Australian Dollar
- NZD: New Zealand Dollar
Now here is the full list made from these:
- EUR/USD
- GBP/USD
- USD/JPY
- USD/CHF
- USD/CAD
- AUD/USD
- NZD/USD
- EUR/GBP
- EUR/JPY
- EUR/CHF
- EUR/CAD
- EUR/AUD
- EUR/NZD
- GBP/JPY
- GBP/CHF
- GBP/CAD
- GBP/AUD
- GBP/NZD
- CHF/JPY
- CAD/JPY
- AUD/JPY
- NZD/JPY
- AUD/CHF
- AUD/CAD
- AUD/NZD
- NZD/CHF
- NZD/CAD
- CAD/CHF
Each pair has its own story. Let’s take a closer look.
Top Currency Pairs and What Makes Them Special
- EUR/USD: This is the most traded pair. It has low spreads and moves in a smooth way. It reacts to news from the U.S. and Europe.
- GBP/USD: Also called “Cable.” It is more volatile than EUR/USD. That means it can move a lot in a short time. Be careful with big news.
- USD/JPY: The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen make this pair. It often moves in trends. It is also a favorite for news trading.
- USD/CHF: The Swiss Franc is a safe-haven currency. When the world is unsure, people buy CHF. This pair can go the other way during crisis times.
- AUD/USD: Australia depends on exports. This pair is linked to gold prices. When gold goes up, AUD usually does too.
- USD/CAD: Canada exports oil. So this pair often moves with oil prices. Watch oil news when trading this.
- NZD/USD: New Zealand is a small country, but its currency is still important. This pair is often calm but can spike with dairy news.
Cross Pairs and How They Behave
Cross pairs don’t include USD. But they are still major because they use big world currencies.
EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY
These pairs can be fast. They show how two big economies compare. EUR/GBP often stays in a tight range. GBP/JPY moves fast.
AUD/JPY, NZD/JPY, CAD/JPY
These are called “risk-on” pairs. They go up when traders feel good about the market. They go down when people are scared.
GBP/AUD, GBP/NZD, GBP/CAD
These pairs are very active. The British pound moves a lot. Be ready for fast action and big spreads.
How Economic News Affects These Pairs
All pairs react to news. But some react more than others.
Big events to watch:
- Interest rate decisions
- Jobs reports
- GDP data
- Inflation numbers
- Central bank speeches
Example: If the U.S. raises interest rates, USD pairs may go up. If oil prices drop, USD/CAD may go up since CAD gets weaker.
Tips for Trading the 28 Major Forex Pairs
- Start with 1 or 2 pairs. Don’t try to trade all at once.
- Learn the time zones. Pairs move more when both countries’ markets are open.
- Use news calendars to avoid surprise moves.
- Keep an eye on spreads. Some pairs cost more to trade.
- Use a demo account to test different pairs.
Volatility: Which Pairs Move the Most?
Some pairs are calm. Others move fast.
Low Volatility Pairs:
- EUR/CHF
- EUR/GBP
- AUD/NZD
High Volatility Pairs:
- GBP/JPY
- GBP/NZD
- AUD/JPY
High volatility means more risk, but also more reward.
Low volatility means safer trades but slower gains.
How Liquidity Affects the 28 Major Forex Pairs
Liquidity means how easily you can buy or sell something without changing its price too much. In forex, high liquidity is very important. It helps traders get in and out of trades quickly. It also keeps trading costs low.
The 28 major forex pairs all have good liquidity. This is because they involve big economies like the United States, Europe, and Japan. The most liquid pair is EUR/USD. That’s why it usually has the lowest spread.
But some pairs on the list are less liquid than others. For example, AUD/NZD or GBP/NZD may have wider spreads, especially at night when fewer people are trading. If a pair is less liquid, price can jump fast with little warning. So it’s important to trade the more liquid pairs during their best hours.
Knowing when a pair is most active helps. For example:
- EUR/USD: Best during London and New York sessions.
- AUD/USD: More active during Sydney and Tokyo sessions.
- GBP/JPY: Volatile, but busiest during London hours.
More liquidity usually means better trading. But you still need to watch the clock and avoid slow times.
How to Use News and Events with Major Pairs
The 28 major forex pairs react strongly to news. That’s because the countries involved often release reports that affect their money. These are called economic indicators.
Here are some common events to watch:
- Interest rate decisions from central banks
- Jobs reports like Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
- Inflation news like the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- GDP numbers (how fast a country is growing)
When big news comes out, the market can move fast. Traders call this volatility. For example, if the U.S. says more jobs were added than expected, the USD might get stronger. That means EUR/USD could fall. Or USD/JPY could rise.
To trade better, many traders use a forex calendar. This shows all the important news coming up. They decide if they want to trade before or after the news.
Some traders avoid news times. Others love the big moves and try to profit from them. Either way, if you’re trading the 28 pairs, you must know what’s going on in the world.
How Correlation Works Between Currency Pairs
Some currency pairs move in the same direction. Others move in the opposite direction. This is called correlation.
For example:
- EUR/USD and GBP/USD often move the same way. Why? Because both are traded against the U.S. dollar.
- USD/CHF and EUR/USD usually move in opposite ways. When one goes up, the other goes down.
Knowing about correlation helps you trade smarter. If two pairs move the same way, you shouldn’t open trades on both. You’d be risking more than you think.
Here are some strong correlations to remember:
- Positive correlation: EUR/USD and GBP/USD
- Negative correlation: USD/JPY and EUR/JPY
- Mixed correlation: GBP/JPY and USD/JPY (sometimes together, sometimes not)
You can find tools online that show you these relationships. They are called correlation calculators or matrices.
If you understand correlation, you can avoid overtrading and protect your account from too much risk.
Trading Styles for the 28 Major Forex Pairs
Each trader has a style. Some trade fast. Others wait days or weeks. The 28 major forex pairs fit all these styles.
Here’s how different styles match different pairs:
Scalping
This means opening and closing trades in minutes. You need low spreads and fast moves.
Good pairs: EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD.
Day Trading
This means entering and exiting trades in one day. You watch the charts and react to small changes.
Good pairs: EUR/GBP, USD/CAD, GBP/JPY.
Swing Trading
You hold trades for days or weeks. You follow the trend and use tools like moving averages.
Good pairs: AUD/USD, EUR/JPY, NZD/USD.
Position Trading
This is long-term. You hold trades for weeks or even months. You look at big trends and economic news.
Good pairs: EUR/USD, USD/CHF, AUD/NZD.
Pick a style that fits your schedule. Then choose the pairs that match that style. Don’t try to trade them all.
Understanding Spread and Cost in Each Pair
When you trade, you don’t just worry about price. You also pay a spread. This is the small cost between the buying and selling price. It’s how brokers make money.
The more people trade a pair, the smaller the spread. That’s why EUR/USD has a very low spread. Sometimes it’s just 0.3 pips. That’s great for traders.
But some of the 28 pairs are more expensive. For example, GBP/NZD or CAD/CHF might have spreads over 3 pips. That adds up over time. Especially if you trade often.
Here’s how to manage it:
- Trade pairs with tight spreads.
- Use brokers like Defcofx that offer no commissions and low spreads.
- Avoid trading during slow hours. Spreads can widen when markets are quiet.
Always check the spread before you trade. Even if a pair looks good, the spread might eat your profit.
Conclusion
The list of 28 major forex pairs gives traders many choices. Each pair has its own style. Some are calm and steady. Others are wild and fast. The key is to know how they behave and plan your trades well.
If you want to trade these pairs with tight spreads and fast support, try Defcofx. We offer high leverage up to 1:2000, a 40% welcome bonus, and no hidden fees. With global access and fast withdrawals, Defcofx makes it easier for traders to handle all 28 pairs with confidence.
FAQs
- What are the 28 major forex pairs?
They are all the combinations of 8 top currencies. These include USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, CAD, AUD, and NZD.
- Which forex pair is best for beginners?
EUR/USD is the best for beginners. It moves steadily and has low spreads.
- Are all 28 pairs safe to trade?
Yes, but some are more volatile. Always check the news and use risk control.
- How do I choose the right pair to trade?
Look at your trading style. If you like calm trades, go for low volatility pairs. If you like action, try GBP or JPY pairs.
- Does Defcofx support all 28 forex pairs?
Yes. Defcofx lets you trade all major pairs with low costs, high leverage, and fast support.
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