Money flow index
RSI with volume included, on a 0 to 100 scale.
Volume and money flowBest on 3M, 6M, 1YAlso called MFI
What it shows
MFI works like RSI but uses the typical price times volume (the raw money flow). It adds up the money flow of up bars and down bars over 14 bars, and compares them.
Readings above 80 and below 20 are the common reference lines.
How we find it
The same code that draws it on your chart follows these steps, with the same result every time.
- Typical price = (high + low + close) ÷ 3. Raw flow = typical price × volume.
- Sum raw flow on up bars and down bars over 14 bars.
- Ratio = positive ÷ negative.
- MFI = 100 − 100 ÷ (1 + ratio).
Starting values: Length 14; Lines 80 / 20. These are proposed and will be tuned on real price data before launch.
How to read it
- The panel shows MFI from 0 to 100.
- Dashed lines mark 80 and 20.
- Compare its shape with RSI.
Status labels you may see
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Above 80 | MFI is above 80. |
| Between | MFI between 20 and 80. |
| Below 20 | MFI is below 20. |
What cancels it
Nothing cancels it.
What traders check next
- Divergence with price.
- How long above 80 or below 20.
- The RSI reading.
Limits
- Volume data quality matters.
- Stays extreme in trends.
- Reference lines are conventions.
Try it in forecastviz
- Open any ticker and choose Volume and money flow → Money flow index in the left menu.
- Switch between 3M, 6M, 1Y to see how the picture changes.
- Compare with Relative strength index and Chaikin money flow on the same chart.
Questions
How does it differ from RSI?
It includes volume.
Why 80 and 20?
Because volume-weighted values spread out more than RSI.
Related trends
Further reading
- Murphy, Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets
- Granville, Granville's New Key to Stock Market Profits
- Pring, Technical Analysis Explained
- Achelis, Technical Analysis from A to Z
Educational only. Not financial advice, and not a price forecast. Charts are drawn by code from past price data, which may be delayed.