A candle whose open and close are almost equal, leaving a tiny body — the market's tug-of-war ended in a draw.
A doji forms when price opens and closes at virtually the same level, so the real body is a thin line. Buyers and sellers pushed price around during the session but neither won by the close.
It signals indecision or a pause. After a strong trend a doji warns that momentum is fading and a reversal or consolidation may be near; in a range it just reflects balance.
Look for a candle with almost no body and wicks on one or both sides. Variants include the long-legged doji (long wicks both ways), the dragonfly (long lower wick), and the gravestone (long upper wick).
Never trade a single candle in isolation. It only carries weight with context — location at a key level, the prevailing trend, and confirmation from the next candle or from volume. On its own it is a hint, not a signal.
Reading a definition is step one. Chart Bound drills you on spotting Doji and dozens of other setups on live candles, and the Daily gives you one fresh chart to read every day. Free to start.