# Logging In for the First Time

Now that you've created your StockCharts account, you're ready to join the StockCharts community. The first step is to log in. 

## Your User ID and Password <a href="#your_user_id_and_password" id="your_user_id_and_password"></a>

You should have received your User ID and password via email. If you didn't, please [**contact our Support staff**](https://stockcharts.com/support/techsupport.html).

We recommend you change your initial password to a new one that is between 7 and 20 characters in length. It may contain letters, numbers, and/or hyphens.

## Logging In <a href="#logging_in_and_logging_out" id="logging_in_and_logging_out"></a>

To log in to your account, click the **Log In** link in the upper right corner of any of our web pages (see image below). You will then be prompted to enter your User ID and password.

<figure><img src="https://2414490151-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FELJo6JImRKx7nLaFjAPl%2Fuploads%2FObLKYCxUUYDgeiOJO04R%2Floginbutton.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e209a757-3b55-4b52-a04d-78fcae1aec69" alt="how to log in to your StockCharts.com account"><figcaption><p>Logging in</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** The first time you log in, you will be prompted to accept our [Terms of Service](https://help.stockcharts.com/learning-more/policies-and-limitations/terms-of-service). You won't need to do this on future logins.
{% endhint %}

## Your Dashboard

Once you log in, you will see **Your Dashboard**, the heart and soul of StockCharts.com. The page has several panels arranged in different ways, most of which can be customized to display what is important to you.&#x20;