How to See Options Chart in TradingView

Imagine you've spent hours analyzing potential trades, meticulously crafting a strategy to capture the most lucrative options, only to find that you can’t access the chart that lays it all out for you. Welcome to the early days of TradingView usage for many traders. But what if I told you that in just a few clicks, you could master the options chart, unleashing the full power of visualizing options data like a pro?

Many traders start their TradingView journey thinking it’s just for traditional stocks or forex. They miss out on the sophisticated tools available for options traders. Once you realize how easily accessible options charts are in TradingView, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated.

The first step? You’ve got to make sure you have the right subscription plan. Yes, options data isn’t readily available on the free version, but before you panic about paying, remember that having the proper data feeds is critical for any options trader. With a TradingView premium or pro plan, you can unlock real-time options data, which is essential to make informed trades. Once you’re set up with that, the next move is accessing the options chart itself.

1. Accessing Options Data
   Navigate to the search bar at the top of the TradingView platform. Instead of just typing the name of the stock or ETF you're interested in, try searching by its symbol and adding the "option" keyword afterward. For example, typing in “AAPL options” should bring you to the options chain related to Apple. But you don’t want just the chain—you want the chart.

Now, here’s the hidden gem: you’ll find that TradingView links options to their respective stocks. So, click on the stock symbol, and in the chart window, you’ll have an easy way to overlay options-related data. This data helps you predict volatility and understand the Greeks, such as delta, theta, and gamma, which are essential for crafting a winning options strategy.

1. Customizing the Options Chart
   Once you have the chart open, the magic begins. TradingView offers tools that allow you to overlay options charts directly onto the stock’s chart. Want to see how implied volatility has been fluctuating? Drag and drop the implied volatility indicator right onto your stock’s chart. This feature gives you a deeper understanding of market sentiment—whether the crowd expects big moves (high volatility) or a quiet period (low volatility).

What if you could also visualize the impact of theta (time decay) or gamma (the rate of change in delta)? TradingView's advanced charting tools allow you to plot these metrics, helping you to gain a broader understanding of how your options positions could perform over time.

1. Using the 'Strategy Tester' for Options
   This is where you can really step up your game. TradingView's strategy tester is not just for stocks. By linking your options data, you can backtest various options strategies. Want to know how a covered call strategy would perform over the last six months? Or how about a long straddle during times of high volatility? The strategy tester allows you to input different entry and exit points for options and gives you a detailed performance report, including profit, loss, and risk metrics. This feature is a game-changer for options traders who want to optimize their strategies based on past performance.

2. The Power of Alerts
   Imagine setting alerts not just for price movements but for critical options data points like when implied volatility crosses a certain threshold, or when delta hits a specific value. This is entirely possible in TradingView. By leveraging custom alerts, you can stay on top of the market, without constantly staring at your screen.

One real-world example: traders often look for a spike in implied volatility as a precursor to a major move in the stock. By setting an alert on the options chart for volatility spikes, you can position yourself to enter trades before the rest of the market catches on.

1. Options Flow Data Integration
   Advanced traders often use options flow to predict big moves. This data shows you where the large institutional money is moving in terms of options trading. If you see a huge spike in call options for a specific stock, it could signal that big players expect an upside move. While this feature isn’t built into TradingView natively, there are several third-party integrations available. By linking one of these data providers to your TradingView account, you can overlay options flow data directly onto your chart and make smarter, more informed decisions.

2. Mobile-Friendly Options Trading
   Not always at your desk? No problem. TradingView's mobile app provides access to all the options charting features available on the desktop version. Whether you're sitting in a cafe or commuting, you can still chart your options data, monitor key metrics, and execute trades from your smartphone. The mobile version also supports the same range of alerts, so you never miss an opportunity.

In Summary, once you unlock the full potential of the options charts on TradingView, you’ll quickly find yourself with a significant edge over other traders. Whether you’re visualizing key metrics like implied volatility or backtesting strategies in the strategy tester, TradingView offers a comprehensive solution for options trading that goes far beyond what most platforms offer.

As with all things trading, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But TradingView’s customizable features and robust toolset give you the flexibility to tailor your charts exactly to your strategy. The key is in experimenting with different tools and indicators to see what works best for your specific needs.

So next time you're wondering how to visualize your options data, just remember: TradingView has you covered, and mastering the options chart can open the door to more informed, profitable trades.