Major Currency Pairs: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY and More
The seven major currency pairs all include the US dollar and account for the majority of global forex volume.
Major Currency Pairs: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY and More
The major currency pairs are the most traded pairs in the world. Every major pair includes the US dollar on one side, which is why they offer the tightest spreads and the highest liquidity. For beginners, majors are the safest starting point.
The Seven Majors
| Pair | Currencies | Typical Spread | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Euro / US Dollar | Very tight | Medium |
| USD/JPY | US Dollar / Japanese Yen | Very tight | Medium |
| GBP/USD | British Pound / US Dollar | Tight | High |
| USD/CHF | US Dollar / Swiss Franc | Tight | Low-Medium |
| USD/CAD | US Dollar / Canadian Dollar | Tight | Medium |
| AUD/USD | Australian Dollar / US Dollar | Tight | Medium-High |
| NZD/USD | New Zealand Dollar / US Dollar | Tight | Medium-High |
Why Trade the Majors?
Liquidity
Majors process enormous daily volume. This means you can enter and exit trades almost instantly, even with large position sizes, without significant slippage.
Tight Spreads
Because competition among liquidity providers is fierce, spreads on EUR/USD can be as low as 0.1 pips on raw-spread accounts. Lower trading costs directly improve your edge.
Predictable News Drivers
Majors respond to well-known economic releases — US Non-Farm Payrolls, ECB rate decisions, Bank of Japan policy, and UK inflation data. This makes fundamentals easier to track.
Characteristics of Each Major
EUR/USD — The King
The most traded pair in the world. It represents the two largest economies. It tends to trend smoothly and respects technical levels well, making it ideal for beginners.
USD/JPY — The Safe Haven Pair
The yen is a classic safe-haven currency. During risk-off periods, JPY tends to strengthen. The pair is also sensitive to US-Japan interest rate differentials.
GBP/USD — The Cable
Known as "cable" for its historical telegraph-based trading. GBP/USD is more volatile than EUR/USD, offering larger moves but also more whipsaws.
USD/CHF
The Swiss franc is another safe haven. USD/CHF often moves inversely to EUR/USD.
USD/CAD
The Canadian dollar is closely tied to oil prices. When oil rises, CAD often strengthens.
AUD/USD and NZD/USD
These commodity currencies are linked to raw material exports and Asian trade flows. They often move together and respond to commodity and China data.
Beginner Tip
Start with one pair — ideally EUR/USD — and learn its behavior thoroughly. Every pair has a personality. Understanding one pair deeply beats superficially watching all seven.
Majors give beginners the best combination of low cost, high liquidity, and abundant educational material. Master these before exploring minors and exotics.