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PIVOT POINT CALCULATIONS

RICHARD COX PRO TRADER
Fact Checked Disclaimer
UPDATED 29 JUL 2022

In this guide to pivot point calculations, we will discuss the various calculations involved when pivot point
trading strategies are used in the financial markets. This information will allow traders to see how each pivot
point price level trading analysis is conducted on modern charting stations.

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For many traders, the idea of looking at a pivot point formula for trading might seem overly complicated or just
difficult to understand. However, the math behind these formulas is relatively basic and having some knowledge
of these calculations can give traders a better sense of which pivot point indicator is the best choice for any
individual trading style.

HOW TO CALCULATE STANDARD PIVOT POINTS

Standard Pivot Points allow traders to plot support and resistance levels around a central pivot that is determined
by a series of simple calculations. The central price pivot takes the sum of the price high, the price low, and the
closing price of whichever time period is selected in a trader’s charting station. This total sum is then divided by a
factor of three and this figure forms the basis of the pivot point indicator readings. Specifically, the formula that
determines price levels for Standard Pivot Points is as follows:

Resistance 1 (R1) = (Pivot Point x 2) – Low

Resistance 2 (R2) = Pivot Point + (High – Low)

Pivot Point = (High+Low+Price Close) / 3

Support 1 (S1) = (Pivot Point x 2) – High

Support 2 (S2) = Pivot Point – (High – Low)

On most modern trading stations, Standard Pivot Point levels can be identified using the common color schemes.
Resistance lines are usually plotted in a one color, while support lines will be plotted using another. In contrast,
the central pivot line is often plotted using a black color, and this line forms the basis of developing the system’s
trading range.

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HOW TO CALCULATE WOODIES PIVOT POINTS

Woodies Pivot Points also allow traders to plot two pivot support and resistance levels, based on a central pivot.
Under the system, this central pivot places the first resistance level at a price point that’s 2x the Pivot Point minus
the price lows. Finally, the price boundary that results is plotted using the sum of the Pivot Point and the
difference between the price high and price low of the charting period. On most trading stations, the formula that
determines price levels for the Woodies Pivot Points indicator can be read as follows:

R2 = Pivot Point + (High–Low)

R1 = (2x Pivot Point) – Low Pivot Point = (High+Low) + (2x Closing Price) / 4

S1 = (2x Pivot Point) – High

S2 = Pivot Point – (High+Low)

The pivot calculation that is used for the Woodies pivots systems are often described as being quite different
from the formula that determines levels for Standard Pivot Points. In this respect, a primary difference lies in the
fact that the formula for the Woodies system places additional weight on an asset’s closing price activity. Here,
astute traders might notice that calculations for certain pivots will require us to multiple closing prices by a factor
of 2x before adding sum totals for the price high and price low.

As a result, this system works in ways that are similar to strategies that involve the use of Exponential Moving
Averages (EMAs) because price data that is recent will be weighted most heavily (in relation to earlier price data).
It’s also important to note that in some asset markets (i.e. foreign exchange markets), opening prices and closing
prices for a certain asset might actually be the same value. In most cases, this can happen when a trading broker
operates on a 24-hour basis and doesn’t record a difference between prices that post on consecutive trading days.

HOW TO CALCULATE FIBONACCI PIVOT POINTS

Fibonacci numbers are regularly used in modern portfolio strategies for investments, and this type of analysis can
be applied for those individuals that are using pivot points for day trading, as well. On trading station software
applications, traders can easily find tools allowing access to popular trading platforms like Fibonacci pivot
indicator mt4. Fortunately, these trading programs make it easier for investors to find economic indicator studies
related to Fibonacci retracements, projections, and extensions. Interestingly, these tools are often employed by
people that trade in the Forex market or in cryptocurrencies. However, these tools can also be quite effective in
commodities markets and stock markets, as well.

Primary price levels in Fibonacci pivot formulas are typically associated with the Fibonacci numbers at the 38.2%
and 61.8% retracement levels. These trading tendencies often force investors to monitor these retracement
levels quite closely whenever trades have a chance to reach profitability based on the system projections. One
strategy that is actively used in the market is to view important Fibonacci pivot point indicator readings in
combination with price patterns (such as a triangle pattern or head and shoulders pattern). Price patterns that
work in conjunction with pivot point price levels are often viewed as strong market signals. Traders can view
these Fibonacci Pivot Point levels in ways that are similar to Standard Pivot Point levels and the Fibonacci Pivot
Point formula is as follows:

Resistance 1 = (0.382 x (High–Low)) + Pivot Point

Resistance 2 = (0.618 x (High–Low)) + Pivot Point

Resistance 3 = (1.0 x (High–Low)) + Pivot Point

Pivot Point = (High+Low+Close) / 3

Support 3 = Pivot Point – (1.0 x (High–Low))

Support 2 = Pivot Point – (0.618 x (High–Low))

Support 1 = Pivot Point – (0.382 x (High–Low))

When traders are monitoring Fibonacci pivot indicator levels, it’s often a good idea to view the central pivot level
as a starting point and watch for new trend direction in relation to yesterday’s price values. Traders can simply
multiply the range values from the prior trading day by any known Fibonacci ratio (usually 38.2% or 61.8%).
Finally, expert traders are able to define and modify a trading stance after adding the results from these
calculations to the pivot point value (when identifying resistance levels) or subtracting the figure from the pivot
point value (when identifying support levels). In combination, these techniques allow traders to initiate a trading
stance that is clearly defined as either bullish or bearish.
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HOW TO CALCULATE DEMARK PIVOT POINTS

Tom Demark introduced the Demark Pivot Points to the financial markets as a response to the prior work in the
discipline that was conducted by J. Welles Wilder. In contrast, DeMark’s unique take on the traditional concepts
of pivot point for swing trading was based on decades of active trading and analysis of historical backtesting
studies. Demark Pivot Points are conditional in nature because they are based on differential relationships that
exist between the opening market price of an asset and the closing price of an asset:

Pivot Point Value = X / 4

Resistance 1 = (X / 2) – Price Low

Support 1 = (X / 2) – Price High

When the Closing Price > Opening Price:

X = (Price High x 2) + Price Low + Closing Price

When the Closing < Opening Price:

X = High + (Price Low x 2) + Price Close

When Closing = Opening Price:

X = Price High + Price Low + (Closing Price x 2)

Demark Pivot Points give us another example of an exponential trading system which places greater emphasis on
price activity that is most recent. Many traders that consistently use Demark Pivot Points will also use DeMark’s
TD Line trend following system in order to find support and resistance levels during intraday market periods.

USEFUL PAGES

Pivot points in Forex

CONCLUSION
Historical backtesting results suggest market trading ranges typically characterize market price action and this
means day trading pivot points can make it easier to structure trades in live brokerage platforms. Additionally,
mastering pivot points can help traders find levels to place stop-loss orders and these protective techniques are
often placed outside of external support or resistance zones. In cases where market price activity continues to
move beyond these important pivot zones, traders might instead opt to implement a “stop and reverse” strategy.
In other words, prior long positions can be closed so that new short positions can be established. Similarly, prior
short positions can be closed in cases where new long positions should be established for the same financial
market asset.

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Richard has more than two decades of experience in the financial markets and has had his writing
appear on CNBC, NASDAQ, Economy Watch, Motley Fool, and Wired Magazine

RICHARD COX
PRO TRADER

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