Movement in forex (measured in Pips) is the central metric for making profits. If the markets or currency pairs don’t move significantly – you won’t make any meaningful profits.
If you’re looking for maximum movement in forex trading, GBP/JPY historically moves the most pips daily—often 100-300+ pips during volatile sessions. However, pairs like EUR/USD and USD/JPY also see strong moves during major news events, making them top choices for traders seeking volatility.
For the best execution during fast-moving markets, use a low-latency broker like Pepperstone and analyze trends on TradingView.
Top Currency Pairs with the Biggest Pip Movements
1. GBP/JPY (British Pound vs. Japanese Yen)
Why? Extreme volatility due to risk sentiment shifts + Bank of Japan interventions.
Average Daily Range: 150-300 pips (highest among majors).
Best for: Experienced traders comfortable with wild swings.
2. GBP/USD (British Pound vs. US Dollar)
Why? Reacts aggressively to UK & US economic data (NFP, BOE decisions).
Average Daily Range: 80-150 pips.
Best for: News traders targeting short-term breakouts.
3. USD/JPY (US Dollar vs. Japanese Yen)
Why? Sharp moves during Fed/BOJ policy shifts + carry trade unwinds.
Average Daily Range: 70-120 pips.
Best for: Trend traders during US session overlaps.
4. AUD/JPY (Australian Dollar vs. Japanese Yen)
Why? Combines commodity volatility with JPY risk sensitivity.
Average Daily Range: 100-200 pips.
Best for: Traders who follow Asian & US session momentum.
5. EUR/USD (Euro vs. US Dollar)
Why? Most liquid pair, but still moves 50-100+ pips during ECB/Fed news.
Best for: Beginners learning volatility trading.
Why Do These Pairs Move So Much?
- High Liquidity = More participants driving bigger moves.
- Economic Sensitivity = Central bank policies & data surprises trigger sharp reactions.
- Carry Trade Exposure = JPY pairs swing wildly when risk appetite shifts.
Pro Tip: Use Pepperstone’s Razor account (raw spreads from 0.0 pips) to avoid slippage during volatile spikes.
FAQs
1. Which forex pair moves 100 pips a day?
GBP/JPY, GBP/USD, and AUD/JPY frequently exceed 100 pips daily.
2. Is GBP/JPY the most volatile pair?
Yes—it’s nicknamed “The Beast” for its wild price swings.
3. Why does USD/JPY move so much?
Fed/BOJ policy splits and US Treasury yield changes drive big moves.
4. Should beginners trade high-pip pairs?
Not ideal—start with EUR/USD before tackling GBP/JPY’s volatility.
5. How do I track pip movements?
Use TradingView’s “Average True Range (ATR)” indicator to measure daily volatility.
Final Tip: Trade Volatility Wisely
While GBP/JPY moves the most pips, it requires strict risk management. Stick to major pairs (EUR/USD, USD/JPY) if you’re new, and scale up to volatile crosses as you gain experience.
For the best execution, trade with Pepperstone (fast order fills) and analyze trends on TradingView.
Ready to trade? Open a Pepperstone account today and capitalize on big pip movements!
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