CryptoRiskCalc Logo
CryptoRiskCalc
Calculator
Tools
Trade PlannerLiquidationP/L CalculatorFunding RatesPre-Trade ChecklistLeverage CalculatorRisk/RewardMargin Calculator
CompareLearn
CalculatorCompareLearnTrade PlannerLiquidationP/L CalculatorFunding RatesPre-Trade ChecklistLeverage CalculatorRisk/RewardMargin Calculator
Home/Learn/Trading Journal
Psychology

How to Build a Crypto Trading Journal That Works

7 min readUpdated Dec 2025

A trading journal is a feedback system. It turns trades into data so you can see what works and what does not. The goal is consistent learning, not perfect records.

What to track

  • Entry, Stop Loss, Take Profit, and position size.
  • Trade reason and market conditions.
  • Risk per trade and actual result.
  • Fees, funding, and execution notes.

Key metrics to review

  • Win rate and average win versus average loss.
  • Profit factor and max drawdown.
  • Performance by asset and setup type.

Simple journal template

Date | Asset | Direction | Entry | Stop | Target | Size | Result | Notes

How to use the data

Review your journal weekly. Keep setups with strong risk/reward and remove those that lose consistently. Identify whether losses are from bad setups or poor execution.

Advanced journaling: beyond the basics

Once you have the basics down, start categorizing trades by setup type — breakout, pullback, range, etc. Track which setups have the best win rate and risk-reward ratio. Over time, this data becomes your edge. You can also photograph chart setups before and after to review your technical analysis accuracy. The most successful traders treat their journal like a business ledger: every entry matters, and the aggregate data tells a story that individual trades cannot.

Journaling turns trading into a process instead of a guess. Pair it with consistent position sizing to build a system that improves over time.

Open Calculator

Trading Journal FAQ

What should I write in a crypto trading journal?▼
Record every trade with entry price, stop loss, take profit, position size, the reason for the trade, market conditions, and the outcome. Also note your emotional state and any lessons learned.
How often should I review my trading journal?▼
Review your journal at least weekly. Look for patterns in winning and losing trades, identify your best setups, and calculate metrics like win rate, average R/R, and profit factor.
Can a trading journal improve my win rate?▼
Yes. By tracking your trades systematically, you can identify which setups work best, eliminate losing patterns, and focus on your highest-probability strategies. Most professional traders credit journaling as a key factor in their improvement.
Should I use a spreadsheet or a dedicated app?▼
Start with whatever is easiest — even a simple spreadsheet works. The key is consistency. As you grow, you can move to dedicated tools. What matters most is that you actually record every trade.

Related Articles

Risk/Reward Ratio Explained

Why consistent R/R keeps you profitable

The 1% Rule

Protect capital with consistent risk

Methodology & Trust

Methodology

Calculations follow standard position sizing: risk amount / stop distance, adjusted for leverage and taker fees. Results are based on your inputs and are for educational purposes only.

Primary Sources

  • Binance Futures Fee Schedule
  • Bybit Fee Rates

Liquidation and margin rules vary by exchange; always verify the latest terms on official documentation.

Articles are written by active traders and reviewed for clarity. The last updated date appears at the top of each article.

This content is not financial advice.

Tools

  • Position Calculator
  • Trade Planner
  • P/L Calculator
  • Liquidation
  • DCA
  • Funding Rates
  • Pre-Trade Checklist
  • Leverage
  • Risk/Reward
  • Margin

Resources

  • Learn
  • Glossary
  • FAQ
  • Compare
  • Exchanges
  • Embed Widget

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Methodology
  • Sitemap

Company

  • About
  • Contact

Popular Calculators

BTCETHSOLXRPDOGEADAAVAXDOTLINKMATIC
CryptoRiskCalc
© 2025 CryptoRiskCalc

Disclaimer: Calculations are estimates for educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Liquidation prices may vary by exchange. Always verify with your trading platform.