Free Forex Course for US Beginners

This free forex course takes you from your first pip to placing a properly sized trade under US rules in 38 short lessons, grouped into 7 modules. Read the lessons in order: each one ends with a Previous / Next link, so you always know where you are. No sign-up, no fees, and every example uses US dollars, Eastern Time and the CFTC/NFA rules that apply to US traders.

Free forex course learning path: 7 modules from Basics (6 lessons), Orders and Account (4), When to Trade (5), Charts and Indicators (9), Fundamentals (4), Risk and Psychology (5) to US Rules (5)
The course path: 38 lessons in 7 modules (illustration).

How the Course Works

  • Start with Module 1 even if you have traded before. Pips, lots and spreads are the base of every calculation later in the course.
  • One lesson at a time. Each lesson is a complete guide with worked examples, an FAQ and links to our free calculators. Most take 8 to 12 minutes to read.
  • Practise as you go. Open a free demo account with an NFA-registered broker and try each idea with play money before risking real money. Lesson 35 shows how to check a broker’s registration.
  • Use the tools. The pip value, lot size, margin and profit/loss calculators do the math from the lessons for you.

The 38 Lessons

Module 1 Forex Basics

What forex is, how prices are quoted and what a trade costs.

  1. What is forex trading?
  2. What is a pip?
  3. Lot sizes: standard, mini, micro, nano
  4. Bid and ask prices
  5. Spreads: what a trade costs
  6. Forex glossary (A–Z)

Module 2 Orders, Leverage and Your Account

How to place trades and how margin works under US rules.

  1. Order types and profit/loss
  2. Leverage
  3. Balance, equity, margin and margin level
  4. How much money you need to start

Module 3 When and What to Trade

Sessions in Eastern Time, the best hours and the best pairs.

  1. Forex market hours (ET)
  2. Best time to trade (real data)
  3. Best pairs for beginners
  4. Liquidity
  5. Market holidays

Module 4 Charts and Technical Analysis

Reading price, trend and the indicators most traders use.

  1. Forex charts: line, bar, candlestick
  2. Japanese candlestick patterns
  3. Technical analysis basics
  4. Market structure
  5. Moving averages
  6. RSI
  7. MACD
  8. Fibonacci retracements
  9. ATR (Average True Range)

Module 5 Fundamentals and Market Mood

Economic data, the jobs report and positioning.

  1. Fundamental analysis
  2. NFP: the US jobs report
  3. Risk-on vs risk-off
  4. The COT report

Module 6 Risk Management and Psychology

Protecting the account comes before finding trades.

  1. Risk management
  2. Where to place a stop-loss
  3. Trading psychology
  4. Your trading plan (template)
  5. Common mistakes

Module 7 US Rules, Brokers and Platforms

What is different for US traders.

  1. US rules: CFTC, NFA, FIFO, leverage
  2. How to verify a US broker
  3. How forex is taxed in the US
  4. Does the PDT rule apply to forex?
  5. MT4 vs MT5

Who This Course Is For

It is written for beginners in the United States, and for anyone who wants a structured refresher. It covers how the market works, how to read charts and data, and how to manage risk. It does not promise profits or sell signals: the goal is to understand what you are doing before you put money at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this forex course really free?

Yes. All 38 lessons are free to read with no account or email required.

How long does the course take?

Reading every lesson takes about 6 to 8 hours. Most people spread it over two to four weeks and practise each module on a demo account before moving on.

Can I learn forex trading on my own?

You can learn the concepts on your own with a structured course and a demo account. Becoming consistently profitable is much harder: the CFTC notes that most retail forex customers lose money. Treat the first months as learning, not earning.

Do I need a lot of money to start?

No. Micro lots let you trade small positions, and a demo account costs nothing. Lesson 10 explains how much money you need to start.

Is this course specific to the US?

The concepts are universal, but the rules, examples and times are for US traders: 50:1 leverage on major pairs, the FIFO rule, NFA-registered brokers, US tax treatment and Eastern Time sessions.

Disclaimer: This course is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Forex trading carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The CFTC notes that most retail forex customers lose money. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.