Technical Indicators

The Simple Moving Average calculates the arithmetic mean of a security's price over a specified period, smoothing out noise and revealing the underlying trend direction. As one of the foundational tools in technical analysis, the SMA helps traders identify long-term trends in stocks, crypto, and forex markets. Pair it with the Exponential Moving Average for faster signals, and visualise both on a professional charting platform like TradingView.

The Exponential Moving Average gives more weight to recent prices, making it more responsive to new information than the SMA while still smoothing out noise. EMA crossovers are a cornerstone of many trading strategies, from scalping to swing trading, across every asset class. Use the EMA on a professional charting platform to fine-tune pullback entries and trend-following setups. Browse our full indicator guide library to learn how the EMA integrates with momentum and volume tools.

VWAP calculates the average price weighted by volume throughout the trading session — it is the institutional benchmark that separates winners from losers on every intraday chart. Understanding VWAP is essential for trading stocks and crypto at the same levels the big players target. Combine VWAP with tools like the Volume Profile for a more complete picture of institutional activity. Set it up on TradingView and pair it with your favourite momentum indicator for high-probability intraday setups.

The Ichimoku Cloud (Ichimoku Kinko Hyo) is a complete trading system in one indicator, identifying trend direction, support/resistance, momentum, and trade signals using five lines and a cloud. It is one of the most powerful entries in our indicator guide library, best applied on daily charts across forex and crypto markets. Incorporate Ichimoku signals into your broader trading strategies for multi-factor confirmation before entering a position.

Parabolic SAR (Stop and Reverse) plots dots above or below price to indicate trend direction and potential reversal points — it is one of the simplest trend-following indicators to use. Combine it with the ADX to filter out low-quality signals in ranging markets and improve your win rate. It also doubles as a dynamic trailing stop; read our stop-loss guide for best practices on protecting your capital. Explore more trend tools in our full indicator guide library.

SuperTrend combines the Average True Range with a multiplier and median price to plot a single line that flips between support and resistance — green means uptrend, red means downtrend. It is a favourite overlay for trend-following trading strategies across crypto and forex due to its visual simplicity. Apply it on TradingView alongside the ADX to filter entries to only strong-trending environments.

The Aroon Indicator measures the number of periods since the most recent high and low, providing an early signal of whether a new trend is forming or weakening. It is especially useful for catching early trend changes in stocks and crypto before lagging indicators react. Browse our full indicator guide library to pair Aroon with the ADX for stronger trend-strength confirmation.

The Directional Movement Index plots +DI and −DI lines to reveal whether buyers or sellers are in control, and is typically used alongside the ADX to gauge trend strength. DMI excels in trending forex and crypto markets, where clean directional moves produce reliable crossover signals. Integrate DMI into your trading strategies and confirm with volume tools from our indicator guide library.

The Weighted Moving Average assigns linearly increasing weight to more recent prices, making it more responsive than the SMA while maintaining a straightforward calculation. WMA is popular among forex traders who need faster trend signals without the complexity of exponential smoothing. Compare it with the EMA and other moving averages in our indicator guide library to choose the best fit for your strategy.

The Hull Moving Average was designed by Alan Hull to virtually eliminate lag while maintaining smoothness — it is one of the fastest moving averages available to traders. HMA is ideal for short-term trading strategies in fast-moving crypto and forex markets. Compare it with the EMA and other smoothed averages in our indicator guide library to find the right balance of speed and reliability.

DEMA reduces the inherent lag of the EMA by applying a double-smoothing technique, giving traders faster trend signals without excessive noise. It is widely used in forex scalping and crypto swing trading, where speed of signal matters. Explore how DEMA compares with the TEMA and other moving averages in our indicator guide library.

TEMA pushes the lag reduction of DEMA even further by applying a triple-smoothing formula, making it one of the most responsive moving averages available. It excels in fast-paced crypto markets where every bar of lag can mean a missed entry. Review our indicator guide library to understand the full spectrum of moving averages from SMA to TEMA.

ALMA applies a Gaussian (bell-curve) distribution as a weight function, centred near the most recent prices, to produce a moving average that filters noise while keeping lag to a minimum. It has become a favourite on TradingView for crypto and forex trend detection. Compare ALMA with other advanced moving averages like the HMA in our indicator guide library to find your optimal smoothing solution.

The Smoothed Moving Average applies equal weight to all historical data rather than dropping off older values, producing an ultra-smooth line that excels at identifying the dominant long-term trend. SMMA is the smoothing method used inside the ADX and ATR calculations, making it a foundational building block in technical analysis. It is best suited for stock and forex markets where long-term trend clarity is prized over speed.

The Guppy Multiple Moving Average plots two groups of EMAs — six short-term and six long-term — to visualise the interaction between trader sentiment and investor sentiment as a ribbon, revealing trend strength and potential reversals. GMMA is widely used in stock and forex markets to identify early trend participation. Set it up on TradingView and combine with the RSI for timing entries.

Bill Williams' Alligator uses three smoothed moving averages displaced forward — the Jaw, Teeth, and Lips — to identify trending and sleeping market phases with an intuitive visual metaphor. When the lines intertwine the Alligator is "sleeping" (range); when they fan out it is "eating" (trending). Combine it with the Awesome Oscillator and Gator Oscillator from our indicator guide library for the complete Bill Williams trading system.

The ZigZag indicator filters out minor price fluctuations by only plotting lines when price moves by a specified percentage, making macro swing highs and lows visually clear. It is an invaluable tool for wave analysis, Fibonacci retracement placement, and identifying structural patterns in stocks and crypto. Use ZigZag on TradingView as a structural overlay alongside your trending trading strategies.

RSI measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes on a 0-100 scale, identifying overbought and oversold conditions — it is one of the most widely used technical indicators in every market. RSI divergence signals are especially powerful when confirmed by the MACD or volume-based oscillators. Traders in crypto often widen the overbought/oversold thresholds to 80/20 due to higher volatility. Combine RSI with sound trading psychology to avoid chasing overbought entries in trending markets.

MACD measures the relationship between two exponential moving averages, identifying momentum shifts, trend direction, and potential reversals through crossovers, histogram, and divergence. It pairs naturally with the RSI to confirm entry and exit timing across stocks, crypto, and forex. Chart it on TradingView for real-time histogram analysis and multi-timeframe insights. Integrate MACD signals into your trading strategies for systematic, rules-based momentum trading.

The Stochastic Oscillator compares a security's closing price to its price range over a given period, making it excellent for identifying overbought/oversold conditions and divergences in bounded ranges. It works especially well alongside the RSI for double confirmation of reversal zones in forex and stock markets. For best results, use Stochastic signals only in the direction of the larger trend identified by tools in our indicator guide library. Build it into a complete system by reviewing our trading strategies section.

ADX measures the strength of a trend regardless of its direction, telling you whether the market is trending or ranging — critical information for choosing the right trading strategy. Pair it with the Parabolic SAR for a powerful trend-following combo that filters noise and tightens stops automatically. ADX is equally effective across crypto, stocks, and forex — explore our full indicator guide library to see how it integrates with other momentum tools.

CCI measures the difference between the current price and its statistical average, identifying cyclical turns and momentum extremes. Originally designed for commodities, CCI is now widely used across crypto, forex, and stock markets with equal effectiveness. Combine CCI divergence with trend-following strategies for higher-probability entries. Check out our indicators hub for complementary momentum tools like the RSI and MACD.

Stochastic RSI applies the Stochastic Oscillator formula to RSI values instead of raw price, creating an oscillator of an oscillator that is extremely sensitive to momentum shifts. It is a favourite tool of crypto traders who need early reversal signals on short timeframes. Pair StochRSI with price structure and volume confirmation from our indicator guide library to filter out the inevitable noise.

The True Strength Index applies a double-smoothing technique to price momentum, producing a clean oscillator that reveals overbought/oversold conditions and trend direction with minimal noise. TSI signals are particularly reliable on daily charts across stocks and crypto. Combine TSI crossovers with the MACD for layered momentum confirmation in your trading strategies.

TRIX displays the percentage rate of change of a triple-smoothed EMA, filtering out insignificant price movements and highlighting only the most meaningful momentum shifts. It is valued by swing traders in stocks and forex who want fewer but higher-quality signals. Browse our indicator guide library to pair TRIX with trend-following tools for a systematic approach.

The Ultimate Oscillator blends buying pressure across three timeframes — short (7), medium (14), and long (28) — into a single reading, reducing the false signals that plague single-period oscillators. It is effective for spotting divergences in crypto and stock markets. Combine it with trend-following tools from our indicator guide library for a robust multi-timeframe trading strategy.

The Chande Momentum Oscillator calculates momentum using both up-day and down-day sums, oscillating between +100 and −100 to provide a symmetrical view of buying and selling pressure. CMO is particularly useful for identifying momentum extremes and divergences in forex and crypto markets. Pair it with the RSI for cross-confirmation, and explore other momentum tools in our indicator guide library.

The Detrended Price Oscillator strips out the long-term trend to isolate short-term price cycles, helping traders identify overbought and oversold conditions relative to recent behaviour rather than the dominant trend. DPO is ideal for cycle analysis in stocks and forex where regular cyclical patterns exist. Use DPO alongside trend tools from our indicator guide library for context before acting on cycle signals.

The Fisher Transform converts price data into a Gaussian normal distribution, making turning points razor-sharp and easier to identify compared to standard oscillators like the RSI. It is especially effective on lower timeframes in crypto and forex markets where quick reversals are common. Add it to your trading strategies for precision timing at potential reversal zones.

KST (Know Sure Thing) is a smoothed rate-of-change oscillator that combines four different ROC timeframes into a single weighted line, revealing broad momentum shifts across multiple cycles. It was designed by Martin Pring for identifying major trend changes in stocks and is equally useful in crypto markets. Compare it with the ROC and other momentum tools in our indicator guide library.

The Coppock Curve is a long-term momentum indicator originally designed to identify major buying opportunities in stock indices after significant market bottoms. It combines rate-of-change over two long lookback periods with WMA smoothing for a signal that fires rarely but with high conviction. Explore our indicator guide library for complementary long-term tools and strategies.

The Force Index combines price change and volume into a single oscillator that measures the power behind each market move — positive force indicates buying pressure and negative force indicates selling pressure. Developed by Alexander Elder, it is a core component of the Elder trading system used across stocks and forex. Pair it with the EMA for trend context and browse our indicator guide library for more volume-momentum hybrids.

On-Balance Volume tracks cumulative buying and selling pressure by adding volume on up days and subtracting volume on down days — it often leads price breakouts by showing institutional accumulation or distribution. OBV divergence is one of the strongest early-warning signals available, especially when confirming breakout setups in stocks and crypto. Pair OBV with the Volume Profile for a complete picture of where institutional money is flowing. Browse our indicators hub to discover more volume-based analysis tools.

Volume Profile displays the total volume traded at each price level over a specified period, revealing where institutional activity is concentrated and identifying high-probability support/resistance zones. It is a favourite tool of professional traders across stocks and crypto, and works best on a dedicated charting platform like TradingView. Combine Volume Profile levels with your existing trading strategies for precision entries at POC, VAH, and VAL. Compare platform features in our best charting platforms guide to find the right tool for volume analysis.

The Accumulation/Distribution (A/D) line uses both price and volume to assess whether a security is being accumulated (bought) or distributed (sold) — a refinement on OBV that considers where price closes within the bar. A/D divergence is a powerful early signal for stock and crypto traders who want to spot institutional moves before the crowd. Integrate A/D analysis into your trading strategies alongside price structure for higher-confidence entries. Explore more volume tools in our complete indicator guide library.

Chaikin Money Flow measures the volume-weighted accumulation/distribution pressure over a set period, oscillating between −1 and +1 to show sustained buying or selling. CMF is one of the most reliable volume indicators for confirming breakouts in stocks and crypto. Use it alongside the OBV for dual volume confirmation in your trading strategies.

The Chaikin Oscillator applies the MACD formula to the Accumulation/Distribution line, producing a momentum reading of money flow that leads price turns. It is particularly useful for validating breakout strength in stocks and spotting divergence before significant moves in crypto. Browse our indicator guide library to pair the Chaikin Oscillator with trend-following tools.

Ease of Movement relates price change to volume, showing how easily price is moving — large price change on low volume produces high EMV readings, while small moves on heavy volume produce low readings. It is a unique perspective on market efficiency useful in stocks and forex. Add EMV to your trading strategies alongside other volume tools from our indicator guide library.

The Negative Volume Index tracks price changes exclusively on days when volume decreases, based on the theory that smart money operates during quieter trading sessions. NVI is a long-term tool primarily used in stock markets to detect institutional accumulation. Pair it with the PVI for a complete picture and browse our indicator guide library for additional volume analysis tools.

The Positive Volume Index tracks price changes exclusively on days when volume increases, reflecting crowd-driven activity and retail sentiment. PVI works in tandem with the NVI to contrast smart-money behaviour with public participation in stock and crypto markets. Explore our indicator guide library for the full suite of volume-based analytical tools.

Price Volume Trend is similar to OBV but adjusts each period's volume by the percentage change in price, giving proportionally more weight to large moves and less to small ones. PVT provides a more nuanced view of accumulation and distribution in stocks and crypto. Pair PVT with trend-following strategies and explore our indicator guide library for complementary tools.

The Volume Weighted Moving Average weighs each price bar by its volume before averaging, so high-volume bars have more influence on the average than low-volume bars. VWMA gives traders a truer picture of the "agreed-upon" price compared to a standard SMA. It is especially useful in stock and crypto trading on TradingView, and can be explored alongside other volume tools in our indicator guide library.

The Klinger Volume Oscillator compares volume flowing in and out of a security using an EMA-based approach, aiming to predict price reversals by detecting divergences between volume trends and price. It is a powerful tool for stock and forex traders who prioritise volume analysis. Add the Klinger Oscillator to your trading strategies and explore our indicator guide library for complementary volume tools.

Bollinger Bands plot a moving average with upper and lower bands set at 2 standard deviations, expanding during high volatility and contracting during low volatility to create actionable squeeze and breakout signals. The Bollinger Squeeze is especially powerful when combined with Keltner Channels in the TTM Squeeze setup, a favourite of professional traders. Pair Bollinger Bands with the RSI to filter false signals and confirm breakout entries. Set them up on TradingView for real-time alerts and multi-timeframe analysis.

ATR measures market volatility by calculating the average range of price bars over a specified period — it is essential for position sizing, stop-loss placement, and identifying volatility shifts. Use our position size calculator to convert ATR readings into proper trade sizing instantly. Read the stop-loss guide and the position sizing guide to master ATR-based risk management across every market. ATR adapts to any asset — apply it in crypto, stocks, and forex for volatility-adjusted trading.

Keltner Channels plot an EMA with upper and lower bands based on ATR, producing smoother envelopes than Bollinger Bands — and the two are frequently used together for the TTM Squeeze setup. This combination identifies low-volatility compression zones that precede explosive breakout moves in any market. Apply Keltner Channels on TradingView and overlay Bollinger Bands to spot squeeze conditions with a single glance.

Donchian Channels plot the highest high and lowest low over a specified period, forming a simple but effective volatility envelope and breakout system that powered the legendary Turtle Trading strategy. They are widely used in forex and crypto for trend-following breakout strategies. Compare Donchian Channels with Bollinger Bands and Keltner Channels in our indicator guide library.

Standard Deviation measures the dispersion of closing prices from their mean over a given period, providing the mathematical foundation for Bollinger Bands and many other volatility tools. Rising standard deviation signals increasing volatility across stocks, crypto, and forex. Review our indicator guide library to see how standard deviation powers multiple volatility-based trading tools.

Historical Volatility measures the annualised standard deviation of past log price returns, giving traders a statistical benchmark for how volatile an asset has been. It is essential for options pricing and risk management in stocks and increasingly in crypto derivatives. Use our position size calculator to incorporate HV into your risk management workflow.

Chaikin Volatility measures the rate of change of the difference between high and low prices, providing a unique view of how the trading range is expanding or contracting. Unlike ATR, which smooths absolute range, Chaikin Volatility focuses on the acceleration of range changes. It is useful in stock and forex markets and can be explored alongside other volatility tools in our indicator guide library.

The Ulcer Index measures downside volatility by calculating the depth and duration of drawdowns from recent highs, providing a risk metric that focuses exclusively on the pain investors care about most. It was created by Peter Martin specifically for evaluating stock fund performance. Incorporate the Ulcer Index into your risk management alongside tools from our indicator guide library to protect capital during volatile markets.

The Mass Index identifies potential trend reversals by measuring the narrowing and widening of the range between high and low prices, generating a "reversal bulge" signal when the range first expands then contracts. It is a unique contrarian tool for stock and forex traders. Combine Mass Index reversal signals with momentum tools from our indicator guide library for higher-probability entries.

Price Envelopes plot fixed percentage bands above and below a Simple Moving Average, creating a straightforward volatility channel for identifying overextended price moves and potential reversal zones. They are among the simplest band indicators available and work well in ranging forex and stock markets. Compare Price Envelopes with Bollinger Bands in our indicator guide library to decide which suits your style.

Williams %R is a momentum oscillator that measures where the current close sits relative to the highest high over a lookback period — essentially the inverse of the Stochastic Oscillator, excelling at identifying reversal zones. It is most effective in range-bound forex and stock markets where clear support and resistance levels exist. Combine %R with trend-following strategies to take only high-probability entries in the direction of the dominant trend.

Rate of Change measures the percentage change in price over a specified period — the simplest momentum indicator that provides a clear picture of whether price acceleration is increasing or decreasing. ROC works across stocks, crypto, and forex, making it a versatile addition to any trading strategy. Use ROC divergence as an early warning signal alongside tools from our indicator guide library for multi-factor confirmation before entering a trade.

Money Flow Index is a volume-weighted RSI that incorporates both price and volume data, providing a more complete picture of buying and selling pressure than RSI alone. MFI divergence carries extra weight because it reflects real capital commitment, making it invaluable for crypto and stock traders. Pair MFI readings with your trading strategies and always confirm signals with price structure. Explore our complete indicator guide library to find complementary oscillators and volume tools.

Bill Williams' Awesome Oscillator compares recent momentum to broader momentum using the difference between two simple moving averages of the midpoint price, making momentum shifts visually clear through its histogram. It pairs well with the MACD for layered momentum confirmation across stocks, crypto, and forex. Apply the AO on TradingView for real-time saucer and twin peaks setups, and integrate it into your trading strategies for systematic momentum trading.

The Gator Oscillator is a histogram companion to the Alligator indicator, visualising the degree of convergence or divergence between the Alligator's three smoothed moving averages. It makes it easier to see when the Alligator is sleeping, awakening, eating, or sated — key phases in Bill Williams' trading system. Use both indicators together on TradingView and pair with the Awesome Oscillator for the complete Williams toolkit.

Bears Power and Bulls Power — collectively known as the Elder-Ray Index — measure the strength of buyers and sellers relative to a 13-period EMA, helping traders assess the balance of power at any given moment. Developed by Alexander Elder, this system works best when the EMA is trending and one of the power readings dips to near zero in the trend direction. Combine it with the Force Index for the full Elder trading system across stocks and forex.

Fibonacci Retracements and Extensions use mathematical ratios derived from the Fibonacci sequence to identify hidden support and resistance levels that the market frequently respects. They are indispensable for traders across stocks, crypto, and forex, and pair naturally with the ZigZag indicator for precise swing-point anchoring. Master Fibonacci tools on TradingView and integrate them into your trading strategies.

Pivot Points calculate key support and resistance levels based on the previous period's high, low, and close — including Standard, Woodie, Camarilla, and Fibonacci variations. They are the primary intraday level framework for forex and stock day traders worldwide. Combine Pivot Points with VWAP on TradingView for institutional-grade level analysis.

Bill Williams Fractals identify local highs and lows using a simple five-bar sequence — an up fractal marks a potential resistance point and a down fractal marks support. They are foundational to the Bill Williams trading system alongside the Alligator and Awesome Oscillator. Use Fractals on TradingView as breakout triggers in your trading strategies.

Andrews' Pitchfork draws a three-pronged trend channel from a significant pivot point through the midpoint of a subsequent high and low, creating a median line that price is statistically drawn toward. It is a powerful tool for projecting future support and resistance in stocks and forex. Draw it using TradingView's built-in pitchfork tool and combine with Fibonacci levels for confluence.

Gann Fan and Gann Square tools use geometric angles based on W.D. Gann's time-and-price equilibrium theories to project support, resistance, and potential reversal zones into the future. These tools are favoured by advanced stock and forex traders who incorporate time analysis. Explore Gann tools on TradingView and compare with Fibonacci methods in our indicator guide library.

The Advance/Decline Line tracks the cumulative difference between the number of advancing and declining stocks, providing a broad measure of market participation that reveals whether rallies or selloffs are broad-based or driven by a few names. It is the foundational market breadth indicator for stock index analysis. Use A/D Line divergence from the index to spot potential tops and bottoms within your trading strategies.

The TRIN (Trading Index), also known as the Arms Index, measures the relationship between advancing/declining stocks and their respective volume to gauge whether the market is under buying or selling pressure. It is a real-time market breadth oscillator used extensively by stock market floor traders and institutional desks. Pair TRIN with the A/D Line for a comprehensive breadth analysis framework.

The McClellan Oscillator applies a 19-day and 39-day EMA to the daily advance-decline difference, creating a momentum oscillator for market breadth that identifies overbought/oversold conditions at the index level. It is a staple tool for stock market analysts tracking the health of major indices. Use the McClellan Oscillator alongside the A/D Line and TRIN for a complete breadth picture.