Guide

Footprint Chart for XAUUSD: Can You Get Real Footprint on Gold?

Short answer: A footprint chart shows how much volume traded on the bid and on the ask at every price inside each bar. On XAUUSD (spot/CFD) there is no central exchange tape, so a true footprint isn't available from broker data. Traders read gold footprint from COMEX gold futures (GC or MGC) and map those levels to the spot price.

Why spot gold has no real footprint

Spot gold trades over the counter across many venues; your broker only sees its own flow.
Broker "volume" on XAUUSD is tick volume: the number of price changes, not contracts.

Using futures instead

Contract	Size	Tick	Tick value
GC (COMEX gold)	100 oz	$0.10	$10
MGC (micro gold)	10 oz	$0.10	$1

Read the footprint on GC/MGC in a platform with tick data (NinjaTrader, Bookmap, ATAS, Sierra Chart, and others).
Note the futures–spot gap (futures usually trade above spot because of carry).
Shift key levels by that gap to use them on XAUUSD.

What to look for

Stacked imbalances: several prices in a row with lopsided ask or bid volume.
Absorption: heavy aggressive volume with little price progress (how to spot it).
Delta at the bar’s extremes versus its close.

Definition: footprint chart · tools: AK FlowBook for NinjaTrader 8 · Bookmap add-on

FAQ

Can I get a footprint chart for XAUUSD?

Not a true one from CFD data; use COMEX gold futures (GC/MGC), which have real trade-by-trade volume.

What is the difference between GC and MGC?

GC is 100 ounces with a $10 tick value; MGC is 10 ounces with a $1 tick value. Both tick in $0.10.

Why are futures prices different from spot gold?

Futures include carry (interest and storage) until expiry, so they usually trade above spot; the gap changes over time.

Does TradingView have footprint charts?

Paid plans include a volume footprint, but on XAUUSD it is still built from the broker feed, not exchange trades.

Education only. Not financial advice. Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Updated October 18, 2026.