In plain English
What OHLC means
OHLC is price data, not a chart style. The open is the first traded price in the interval, the high and low are the extremes, and the close is the last traded price in the interval. Many chart types, including candlesticks and bar charts, are built from OHLC data.
Why it matters
OHLC is the foundation for much technical analysis because it standardizes how price action is measured across time. It helps traders compare periods, build indicators, and identify patterns without relying on a single price point.
Example
A daily OHLC record of 1.1000, 1.1045, 1.0985, and 1.1020 means the session opened at 1.1000, reached 1.1045, fell to 1.0985, and closed at 1.1020. This is a simplified example.
Quick answers
Common questions
Is OHLC the same as a candlestick?+
No. OHLC is the data; a candlestick is one way to visualize it.
Why is the close important?+
Many indicators and comparisons use the close because it captures the final price for the interval.
Sources