Symmetrical triangle
A falling line over the highs and a rising line under the lows, closing in toward a point.
What it shows
In a symmetrical triangle the highs keep getting lower and the lows keep getting higher. The range shrinks from both sides. It is a pause: neither buyers nor sellers have won.
The shape does not say which way price will leave. It is also called a coil because the swings get tighter.
How we find it
The same code that draws it on your chart follows these steps, with the same result every time.
- Find at least 2 swing highs that fall and 2 swing lows that rise.
- Fit a falling line through the highs and a rising line through the lows.
- Require the lines to converge: the gap at the end is at most 70% of the gap at the start.
- Mark complete when a close leaves the shape by more than the margin.
Starting values: Minimum touches 2 per line; Convergence 70%; Minimum length 20 bars. These are proposed and will be tuned on real price data before launch.
How to read it
- Red is the falling upper line and teal is the rising lower line.
- Each swing is smaller than the one before.
- The apex is where the lines meet.
Status labels you may see
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Coiling | Price is between the lines. |
| Broken up | Closed above the upper line. |
| Broken down | Closed below the lower line. |
What cancels it
A close beyond either line ends the shape.
What traders check next
- Volume tends to dry up inside and rise at the break. Check it.
- How far toward the apex price has gone.
- Whether a longer period shows a bigger triangle.
Limits
- Breaks can go either way.
- Short triangles are noise.
- Lines can be fitted to many shapes.
Try it in forecastviz
- Open any ticker and choose Continuation patterns → Symmetrical triangle in the left menu.
- Switch between 6M, 1Y, 3Y to see how the picture changes.
- Compare with Ascending triangle and Descending triangle on the same chart.
Questions
Which way does it break?
Both happen. We do not claim a rate.
How is it different from a wedge?
A triangle's lines slope in opposite directions. A wedge's lines slope the same way.
Related trends
Further reading
- Edwards and Magee, Technical Analysis of Stock Trends
- Bulkowski, Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns
- O'Neil, How to Make Money in Stocks
Educational only. Not financial advice, and not a price forecast. Charts are drawn by code from past price data, which may be delayed.