Top 5 Best Forex Pairs to Trade for Beginners in 2025
What are the best Forex pairs to trade in 2025? Major pairs, no doubt. However, considering profits, taking into account some factors like trading sessions and major events is crucial.
Now, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro trader, in this blog, we showcase everything about choosing the best Forex pairs to start Forex trading, along with tips and tricks for profitability. So, let’s dive deeper to learn more about the best and most profitable Forex pairs.
What is a Forex Pair?
A Forex pair is a combination of 2 different foreign currencies used in the Forex market for trading. In Forex trading, currencies are always traded in pairs. And every currency pair has a symbol or symbolic name for easy identification.
The first currency of a currency pair is called the base currency, and the second currency is called the quote currency. While trading currencies, you either buy the base currency and sell the quote currency or vice versa.
For example, GBP/USD is a currency pair where GBP (British Pound) is the base currency and the USD (US Dollar) is the quote currency.
Each pair works as a single unit. And you can profit or lose from the price fluctuations of the exchange rates between those currencies.
Different Types of Forex Pairs- Majors, Minors, and Exotics
There are mainly 3 types of Foreign currency pairs based on liquidity and USD involvement. They are-
1. Major Currency Pairs- Most Traded Pairs
These are the pairs always including the USD (US Dollar), best known for high liquidity. These are the best forex pairs for beginners. However, professional advanced traders also trade on these currency pairs.
There are mainly 7 major currencies, and when making a pair, they come with USD, such as- the British pound (GBP/USD), Euro (EUR/USD), Australian dollar (AUD/USD), Japanese yen (USD/JPY), Swiss franc (USD/CHF), New Zealand Dollar (NZD/USD), and Canadian Dollar (USD/CAD).
2. Minor Currency Pairs- Best for Institutional Traders
These are the Forex pairs without any USD (US Dollar). Minor pairs are created by combining 2 major pairs except USD, such as EURGBP (Euro/British pound), EURCHF (Euro/Swiss Franc), GBPJPY (British pound/Japanese Yen), etc.
Due to comparatively higher spreads, like 1 to 2 pips movement, most of the institutional professionals and hedgers trade on these minor pairs.
3. Exotic Currency Pairs- Lower Liquidity, Higher Spreads
These are the pairs combining one major currency with another from a developing or less-traded country. Such as EUR/TRY (euro/Turkish lira), USD/TRY (US dollar/Turkish lira), African Rand (USD/ZAR), etc.
Traders rarely trade on exotic pairs due to higher spreads and low liquidity pools. And most often, trading exotic pairs leads to improper order fills, causing huge losses sometimes.
Note: Beginner traders without any trading and market knowledge sometimes seem to trade exotic pairs, making one of the biggest mistakes in their trading journey.
What Makes a Forex Pair “Best” to Trade?
Active trading sessions, lower spreads, and higher liquidity make a pair the best to trade in Forex. Let’s break them down how:
Liquidity
The Forex market itself is the largest liquid market. But there are around 180 currencies. And liquidity differs a little bit among these pairs. Gold (XAU) and USD have the highest liquidity pool, making them the best Forex currencies.
As we know, higher liquidity means higher opportunity. If you trade a pair with higher liquid assets, you can enter/exit trades, avoiding slippage. So, make sure to trade the pairs with the most liquidity across all the sessions.
Trading Session
The trading session, or time of trading, is crucial to finding the best pair to trade. Peak trading time is different for different trading sessions.
For example, the minor currencies like the NZDJPY or AUDJPY are the best for trading in the Asian session, whereas GBPUSD is best for trading in the London session.
Volatility
Volatility comes from the pip movement in the Forex market. Some forex pairs are stable with lower volatility with fewer pip movements, and some are not stable and highly volatile with higher pip movements.
For example, USD is the most stable currency with higher liquidity. Contrarily, exotic pairs are mostly volatile and nearly impossible to predict, with larger pip movements increasing the spreads.
Top 5 Best Forex Pairs to Trade in 2025
EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, USD/JPY, and USD/CHF are the best Forex currency pairs to trade in 2025. So, mainly the best pairs. These Forex pairs are also the most traded in the Forex market.
1. EUR/USD (Euro vs US Dollar)
EURUSD is the most traded Forex pair in the world. Nickname for this pair is FIber. It has higher liquidity, as the currencies in this pair represent the two largest economies. This pair is best for trading during the London and New York sessions.
According to the BestBroker report, the EUR/USD pair has recorded a total of $1.71 trillion in daily trade volume, which represents a 7.6% increase.
And August 2025 data shows the EURO alone holds 20.6% trade dominance in the Forex market, which makes it the most traded Forex pair.
Changes in the currency value of the Euro and USD can influence the volatility of this pair. Besides, European Central Bank (ECB) policies and US Fed announcements can impact the volatility.
2. GBP/USD (British Pound vs US Dollar)
Here comes another best Forex pair to trade, especially during the London and overlap sessions.
Pound is known to be the oldest currency and seems to be traded with more than 100+ pips daily. It’s said to be ideal for trend or breakout strategies, but beware of higher spreads during UK news.
3. AUD/USD (Australian Dollar vs US Dollar)
Nicknamed “Aussie,” this pair is one of the best-traded pairs. This pair often seems to be influenced by the commodity price changes, particularly Gold (XAU) and China’s demand.
This pair is best to trade during the Asia and US overlap sessions. However, news from the US, Australia, and even China can sharply move the prices.
4. USD/JPY (US Dollar vs Japanese Yen)
This Forex pair is also known as the Yen pair, and its nickname is Gopher. The USDJPY pair is active during the Asian sessions. So, trading USDJPY in the Asian and NY sessions gives more flexible trading windows.
US data, events, and announcements from the Bank of Japan influence the volatility of this currency pair. Technically, this pair shows large pip movement. But with proper risk setups and trading strategies, trading the USDJPY pair can be profitable too.
5. USD/CHF (US Dollar vs Swiss Franc)
The nickname for this currency pair is the Swissie or Swiss Franc. This Forex pair is often considered the safe-haven pair, so it is ideal for hedging and institutional professionals.
The London session is the best for trading the UCHF pair. However, the London-New York overlap session is also the best time to trade the Swissie pair.
The Swissie pair is also known for the lowest interest rate worldwide after the Swiss National Bank interest announcements, making this pair a safe haven and one of the best pairs for carry trading and hedging.
Most Profitable Forex Pairs
Major Forex pairs tend to be the most profitable currency pairs. Profitability depends on trader behavior and trading styles. So, if your goal is to find a profitable Forex pair, you need to have at least a medium to experienced level of trading experience in the forex market and knowledge of the forex pairs.
| Pair Symbol | Currency Pair | Pair Nicknames | Avg. Daily Pip Range | Active Sessions | Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Euro vs US Dollar | Fiber | 70–90 | London Session | High (tight spread) |
| GBP/USD | British Pound vs US Dollar | Cable | 100–120 | London–New York Overlap | High |
| AUD/USD | Australian Dollar vs US Dollar | Aussie | 60–80 | Sydney–London Overlap | Medium |
| USD/JPY | US Dollar vs Japanese Yen | Gopher | 80–100 | Tokyo–New York Overlap | High |
| USD/CAD | US Dollar vs Canadian Dollar | Loonie | 60–85 | New York Session | Higher |
| NZD/USD | New Zealand Dollar vs US Dollar | Kiwi | 50–70 | Sydney–London Overlap | Moderate–Higher |
| USD/CHF | US Dollar vs Swiss Franc | Swissie | 40–60 | London–New York Overlap | Higher |
Though profitability depends on the trader, major Forex pairs, which means the pairs with the USD (US Dollar), are considered to be the most profitable currency pairs.
Among these, EURUSD, GBPUSD, and USDJPY are the most profitable due to higher liquidity and lower spreads.
Some other reasons include-
- The USD currency pairs have a higher liquidity pool.
- Bid–Ask spreads or broker fees are lower — sometimes near zero, like 0.01.
- Lower chances of trade slippage, ensuring more trade opportunities and better profits.
- Major currency movements are stable, so less volatility means fewer chances of losses.
- Proper order filling is ensured — fewer pending or missed trades.
- Traded by professional traders globally.
- Ideal for beginner retail Forex traders.
Most Traded Forex Pairs in 2025
As of Q2 2025, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY remain the top traded pairs globally. The table below shows the most traded currency pairs for different Forex markets.
| Regional Forex Market | Most Traded Currency Pairs (2025) |
|---|---|
| UK | GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and EUR/USD |
| US | EUR/USD, USD/JPY, and USD/CAD |
| Singapore | USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and USD/RMB |
| Hong Kong | USD/JPY, USD/RMB, and USD/HKD |
| Japan | USD/JPY, EUR/USD, and EUR/JPY |
In the UK Forex market, EUR/USD remained the most traded Forex pair, exceeding $1 trillion daily trade volume, which was $797.5 billion in 2024.
In the US market, the same EUR/USD was ranked as the most traded pair with $296.4 billion of daily trade volume, which was $239.8 billion on average in 2024.
The Singapore Foreign Exchange Market Committee (SFXMC) shows that USD/JPY was the most traded Forex pair in Q2, 2025, with $5.7 trillion daily trade volume, which was $6 trillion in October, 2024.
The Hong Kong Forex Market has seen USD/RMB (US Dollar vs Chinese Yuan Renminbi) to be the top-performing currency pair in 2025, along with USD/HKD (USD vs Hong Kong Dollar) and USD/JPY.
The Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market Committee (TFEMC) reveals that USD/JPY was the most traded pair in Japan in April 2025, with a daily trade volume of $284.7 billion on average. And it’s a 51% cruise from the 2024 daily trade volume.
Which Forex Pairs Are Best for Different Trading Styles?
Scalpers prefer USD/JPY and NZD/USD; day traders favor EUR/USD; swing traders go for major pairs; position traders use USD/CAD and EUR/CHF. Besides, based on different trading styles and market movements, you can trade different Forex pairs. That’s why choosing the best Forex pair depends on when and how you are trading.
Here is the breakdown for different trading styles:
Best Forex Pairs for Scalping
Though for scalping, gold (XAUUSD) is considered the best pair for scalping. But for Forex pairs, USD/JPY and NZD/USD are the best Forex pairs for scalping-style trading.
Scalpers typically use 1- to 15-minute timeframes. Their trading style is mainly pip-focused. So, scalpers prioritize technical analysis over fundamentals. Beginners in scalping or experienced professionals trade USDJPY and USDNZD for scalping.
Best Forex Pairs for Day Trading
USDJPY, EURUSD, and AUDUSD are the best Forex pairs for day trading. Day traders, or intraday traders, mainly trade Forex, focusing on the trade sessions.
Trading these pairs during the London and New York sessions can ensure the best profits from these pairs. For beginners, EURUSD is the best pair for a day trading style, and for professionals, GBP or JPY is the best. Besides, SSF day trading signals can be profitable for beginner Forex traders.
Best Forex Pairs for Swing Trading
For swing trading, choosing the major pairs works best for any type of trader. However, the swing trading style does not need session focus. Unlike scalping, swing traders mostly use 1H (hour) to 4H timeframes.
Most of the professional traders trade the major Forex pairs, and recent data shows that many beginner retail traders trade minor pairs for swing trading styles.
Best Forex Pairs for Position Trading
Position trading requires holding trades for weeks to even months. So, highly volatile pairs are not suitable for this trading style. Beginners don’t usually do position trading.
Mostly highly professional traders, advanced traders, or professional hedgers or speculators from Banks and Financial Institutions (BFI) use position trading for portfolio management and hedging.
Position traders choose pairs based on their strategies, fundamental analysis, and institutional data. So, technical analysis or volatility shifts don’t matter much for position traders.
However, USDCAD, EURCHF are known to be the best currency pairs for position trading.
How to Choose Profitable Forex Pairs?
Major news events, geopolitical news, and trade sessions must be considered to choose profitable currency pairs. No matter if you are a beginner or an advanced professional trader, the following factors are a must to consider when you choose the pair for trading:
• Trade Sessions & Your Time Zone
The time zone from where you are trading is crucial to picking the profitable Forex pairs. For example, you live in London. So, according to your time zone, trading GBPUSD will be the most profitable pair for you to trade.
Besides, trading during the overlap sessions is best for the major pairs.
• Central Bank Divergence & Interest Rate Gaps
Different announcements from the central bank and interest rate decisions can shift the market volatility. So, based on your regional news events, make sure to pick the best currency pair.
• Commodity Linkages
AUD, CAD, and NZD pairs are largely influenced by commodity price changes, such as oil, gold, etc. So, make sure to check the news or price changes while trading these pairs.
• Geopolitical Events
Sudden events like the Ukraine-Russia critical situation or the COVID-19 pandemic, etc., can influence the market movement, causing volatility shifts. So, make sure to trade more carefully during such major geopolitical or economic events.
Tips to Choose the Best Forex Pair for You
Choosing the major pairs is the best and most evergreen tip. USD pairs are the most stable currency pairs for trading.
Such other expert advice is as follows
- Start with a maximum of 2–3 pairs at a time.
- Never risk more than 1% per trade.
- Focus on major pairs for better consistency.
- Avoid trading exotic pairs — spreads are higher.
- Maintain a positive Risk–Reward (RR) ratio.
- Trade mostly during the New York session.
- Avoid trading during major news releases.
Final Words
Choosing the best Forex pairs to trade requires your trading skills and the trading session when you trade. Besides, to be in the safest zone is to trade the major pairs only for profitable trading.
However, solid risk management strategies, like using proper stop-loss and take profit, and never risking more than 1% of your total capital, are key to successful Forex trading.
Well, if you are a beginner and still learning Forex trading, you can try SureShotFX signals for profitable trades. With 99% accuracy and a previous performance record, SSF signals are making the edge among Forex traders, offering both free and paid VIP Forex signals.
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FAQs
Major USD pairs are the best currency pairs for beginners in 2025.
GBP/USD and GBP/JPY pairs sometimes move 100 pips a day or more than that.
Typically no. Exotic pairs are not profitable most of the time. But sometimes, they can be profitable with sudden volatility, ideal for institutional traders and hedgers.
According to 2025 Q2 data, the GBP/USD pair has moved the most, creating sudden higher volatility.
EURUSD (Euro/USD), or in short EU, is the best Forex pair for beginners to start FX trading. And then you can gradually move to trade the British Pound (GBPUSD).
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