Major Pair

Major pairs are the seven most traded currency pairs in forex, all of which include the US dollar. EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, AUD/USD, USD/CAD, and NZD/USD are the majors. Together, they account for the majority of daily forex trading volume worldwide.

What makes the majors special is liquidity. Because so many participants trade them, spreads are tight (often under 1 pip for EUR/USD), execution is fast, and slippage is minimal. This makes them the cheapest pairs to trade and the most forgiving for beginners learning to manage execution costs.

Each major pair has its own personality. EUR/USD tends to be steady and trend-driven. GBP/USD is more volatile and prone to sharp moves. USD/JPY responds strongly to risk sentiment and Bank of Japan policy. AUD/USD tracks commodity prices. Understanding these characteristics helps you choose pairs that match your trading style and risk tolerance.