
Thinkorswim is a powerful trading platform that offers a wide range of features for futures traders. It's a great tool for anyone looking to trade futures contracts.
Thinkorswim offers a variety of labels that can be applied to futures contracts, including those for trending, breakout, and reversal strategies. These labels can be used to identify potential trading opportunities.
One of the key benefits of using labels in thinkorswim is that they can help you stay organized and focused on your trading strategy. By applying labels to specific contracts, you can quickly and easily identify the ones that meet your criteria.
Thinkorswim's labeling system is highly customizable, allowing you to create your own labels or use pre-built ones. This flexibility makes it easy to tailor the platform to your individual trading needs.
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Set Up Guide
To set up your Thinkorswim account, you must visit the Charles Schwab website and click "Open New Account." This will initiate the registration process, where you'll provide personal and financial information in a secure environment.
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First, register for a new account at Charles Schwab. You can do this by visiting their website and following the prompts to complete the registration process.
Once your account is active, enable futures trading by logging into your Schwab account, navigating to the "Client Services" tab, and selecting "My Profile." Under the "General" section, find "Elections & Routing" and check the box next to "Futures."
After enabling futures trading, you can download the Thinkorswim platform by visiting the designated page on the Schwab website. This page will offer various options to log in and download the platform.
To download the Thinkorswim platform, you'll need to log into your Schwab account and navigate to the designated download page. You can choose the platform access option that suits you best from the screen segment.
After completing your chosen Thinkorswim platform download, follow the installation instructions for your computer operating system. For mobile trading, you can download the Thinkorswim mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Your Thinkorswim account at Charles Schwab must be approved for trading through the Thinkorswim platform before you can download it.
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Trading Basics
Trading Basics is a crucial aspect of futures trading, and Thinkorswim provides a platform to learn and practice these basics.
To start trading futures, you need to open a trading account, which is a straightforward process that can be completed online.
Thinkorswim offers a range of trading tools and resources to help you get started, including a demo account that allows you to practice trading with fake money.
A trading account typically requires a minimum deposit, which can vary depending on the brokerage firm.
Thinkorswim offers a variety of futures contracts, each with its own specifications, such as the underlying asset, expiration date, and contract size.
To trade futures, you need to understand the concept of leverage, which allows you to control large positions with a relatively small amount of capital.
Leverage can amplify both gains and losses, so it's essential to use it wisely.
Thinkorswim provides a range of order types, including market orders, limit orders, and stop orders, which can be used to execute trades.
A different take: Thinkorswim Contingent Orders
A market order is an order to buy or sell a futures contract at the current market price.
Thinkorswim's platform allows you to view real-time market data, including prices, charts, and news, to help you make informed trading decisions.
You can also use Thinkorswim's platform to set price alerts and notifications to stay up-to-date with market movements.
Related reading: Thinkorswim Order Types
Customization and Fees
Customization is key to making Thinkorswim work for you. You can customize your workspace to suit your trading style by swapping out pre-populated symbols with your desired futures contracts.
To do this, simply click on the watchlist panel and type in the symbol of the futures contract you want to monitor, such as "/ES” for the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract. This will allow you to keep a close eye on the markets that matter most to you.
You can also modify the arrangement of panes to fit your needs, including resizing and moving them around.
Customize Your Workspace

You can tailor your trading environment on Thinkorswim to fit your needs. The Futures Trader interface comes with a default layout that includes several panes showing different market data.
To swap out the pre-populated symbols with your desired futures contracts, simply click on the watchlist panel and type in the symbol of the futures contract you want to monitor. For example, enter the "/ES” symbol for the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract.
You can also modify the arrangement of panes, including the number and size, by clicking on the layout button at the top right corner of each pane. This allows you to resize and move the panes according to your preferences.
To incorporate additional panes, such as news feeds or extra charts, just click on the "+” button at the top of the interface and select the type of pane you want to add.
Thinkorswim offers extensive customization options to tailor your trading environment. You can customize the platform by adding a new watchlist to the Thinkorswim futures trading interface.
Here's a summary of how to customize your workspace:
- Click on the watchlist panel to swap out pre-populated symbols with your desired futures contracts.
- Click on the layout button to modify the arrangement of panes.
- Click on the "+” button to incorporate additional panes, such as news feeds or extra charts.
Trading Fees

Trading fees can add up quickly, so it's essential to understand what you're paying for. Thinkorswim charges a usage fee of $2.25 per futures contract per side.
This fee is in addition to mandatory exchange and regulatory fees, which you'll also need to pay. The good news is that you won't pay any more for trading futures online versus working with a broker.
Using the App
To access the Futures Trader feature on the Thinkorswim app, log in to your account, go to the "Trade" tab, and select "Futures Trader" from the drop-down menu.
Launching the Thinkorswim application and logging in with your credentials is the first step to accessing the platform's Futures Trader feature. Click on the "Trade" tab at the top of the platform to proceed.
Selecting the "Trade" tab and the "Futures Trader" tab below will open the Futures Trader interface, where you can begin trading futures.
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Viewing on App

To see futures contracts on the Thinkorswim mobile app, log in and go to the “Trade” tab. From there, select “Futures Trader” from the drop-down menu.
Navigating the app's trade tab is a straightforward process. You'll find it easily accessible once you're logged in.
To view futures on the app, you'll need to access the Trade tab first. This is a simple step that sets you up for success in finding the futures contracts you're looking for.
The Futures Trader option is a key part of the Trade tab. It's where you'll find the futures contracts you're interested in.
For another approach, see: How to Trade on Thinkorswim
Tracking & Placing Trades
To place trades, you'll find the "Trade" button at the top of the slightly greyed list. This allows you to both place trades and keep track of your open trades.
The "Trade" button will display your placed trade orders in that area. You can also use the "Trade" button to place trades quickly.
Discover more: Can You Trade Futures on Thinkorswim
The "Dashboard" button, located in the 6th position, is another useful tool. This selection shows you both the tick value of the asset and the initial margin requirement for the particular futures contract of the pane.
You can use the "Dashboard" button to quickly place a trade and monitor your positions.
Tracking Trades
Tracking Trades is a crucial aspect of futures trading, and Thinkorswim's features make it easy to do so. With the "Trade" button at the top of the list, you can place trades and keep track of your open trades in one place.
Thinkorswim's dashboard allows you to place trades quickly, showing you the tick value of the asset and the initial margin requirement for the futures contract. This feature is especially helpful for day traders who need to make swift decisions.
To track your trades effectively, you should stay informed about market developments and major trends. Thinkorswim's excellent news and analysis resources can help you stay on top of the market.

Successful futures trading requires implementing strict risk management strategies to protect against significant losses. This includes avoiding common mistakes like overleveraging and ignoring risk management.
Thinkorswim's features, such as real-time data and customizable charts, can help you analyze short-term market trends and identify trading opportunities. By using these tools, you can execute trades precisely and maintain an edge in the fast-paced trading environment.
Take a look at this: Where Is Risk Graph in Thinkorswim
Frequently Asked Questions
Is thinkorswim good for futures trading?
Yes, thinkorswim offers futures trading capabilities, along with other advanced features like options and forex trading, on a single platform. Its intuitive layout and powerful charts make it a great choice for futures traders.
Sources
- https://usethinkscript.com/threads/futures-traders-cheat-sheet-for-thinkorswim.268/
- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/how-to-set-up-thinkorswim-trading-futures
- https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures-on-thinkorswim
- https://bullishbears.com/how-to-trade-futures-on-thinkorswim/
- https://toslc.thinkorswim.com/center/howToTos/thinkManual/charts/Chart-Style-Settings/priceaxis
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