Why can’t I close my trade at the exact price I see on the chart?

Short answer

Charts usually display the Bid price only, while trades are closed using the real market execution price, which may change due to liquidity and slippage. This is why the executed price can differ from what you see on the chart.

What price the chart actually shows

Most trading charts display only one price — the Bid price.

Why only Bid is shown

The Bid price is used because:

1. it reflects the main market movement
2. it keeps charts visually clean
3. it represents the best sell price at that moment

However, real trading always involves both Bid and Ask.

How trades are really closed in the market

When you close a trade:

1. Buy positions close at Bid
2. Sell positions close at Ask

This means your closing price depends on current market liquidity, not the single chart line.

What is slippage and why it happens

Slippage explained simply

Slippage happens when:

1. the market moves quickly
2. liquidity changes
3. the available price updates before execution completes

Your order is filled at the best available market price, not the last visible tick.

When slippage is most common

1. during news releases
2. market open/close
3. low liquidity hours
4. high volatility periods

Why the chart price and execution price don’t always match

Because:

1. charts show Bid only
2. execution uses real-time market prices
3. spreads and liquidity shift constantly

This difference is a normal part of market trading.

The illustration shows how the visible chart price differs from the actual executed market price.

Why this is normal market behavior

This is not:

❌ platform error

❌ broker manipulation

❌ incorrect pricing

This is:

✅ real-time market execution

✅ standard liquidity matching

✅ global trading mechanics

All professional trading systems work this way.

Why this matters for traders

Understanding execution mechanics helps traders:

1. avoid execution surprises
2. manage risk during volatility
3. place realistic stop losses and take profits
4. trade more confidently

Most execution complaints come from misunderstanding chart pricing.

What’s next

Next, we’ll explain:

Why was my pending order skipped or activated later than expected?

This covers volatility, liquidity gaps, and execution priority.