Heikin-Ashi: A Better Candlestick (2024)

Heikin-Ashi, also sometimes spelled Heiken-Ashi, means "average bar" in Japanese. The Heikin-Ashi technique can be used in conjunction with candlestick charts when trading securities to spot market trends and predict future prices.It's useful for making candlestick charts more readable and trends easier to analyze. For example, traders can use Heikin-Ashicharts to know when to stay in trades while a trend persistsbut get out when the trend pauses or reverses. Most profitsare generated when markets are trending, so predicting trends correctly isnecessary.

The Heikin-Ashi Formula

Normal candlestick charts are composed of a series of open-high-low-close (OHLC) candlesset apart by a time series. The Heikin-Ashi technique shares some characteristics with standard candlestick charts but uses a modified formula of close-open-high-low (COHL):

$\begin{aligned}&\text{Close}=\frac{1}{4}\text{ (Open}+\text{High}+\text{Low}+\text{Close)}\\&\quad(\textit{The average price of the current bar})\\&\text{Open}=\frac{1}{2}\text{ (Open of Prev. Bar}+\text{Close of Prev. Bar})\\&\quad(\textit{The midpoint of the previous bar})\\&\text{High}=\text{Max[High, Open, Close}]\\&\text{Low}=\text{Min[Low, Open, Close]}\end{aligned}$​Close=41​(Open+High+Low+Close)(Theaveragepriceofthecurrentbar)Open=21​(OpenofPrev.Bar+CloseofPrev.Bar)(Themidpointofthepreviousbar)High=Max[High,Open,Close]​

Constructing the Chart

The Heikin-Ashi chart is constructed like a regular candlestick chart, except the formula for calculating each bar is different, as shown above. The time series is defined by the user, depending on the type of chart desired, such as daily, hourly, orfive-minute intervals.The down days are represented by filled candles, while the up days are represented by empty candles. These can also be colored in by the chart platform, so up days are white or green, and down days are red or black, for example.

There are a few differences to note between the two types of charts, and they're demonstrated by the charts above. Heikin-Ashihas a smoother look because it is essentially taking an average of the movement. There is a tendency with Heikin-Ashi for the candles to stay red during a downtrend and green during an uptrend, whereas normal candlesticks alternate color even if the price is moving dominantly in one direction.

The price scale is also of note. The current price shown on a normal candlestick chart will also be the current price of the asset, and that matches the closing price of the candlestick (or current price if the bar hasn't closed). Because Heikin-Ashi is taking an average, the current price on the candle may not match the price at which the market is actually trading. For this reason, many charting platforms show two prices on the Y-axis: one for the calculation of the Heiken-Ashiand another for the current price of the asset.

Putting It to Use

These charts can apply to any market. Most charting platforms have Heikin-Ashi charts included as an option.

There are five primary signals that identify trends and buying opportunities:

1. Hollow or green candles with no lower "shadows" indicate a strong uptrend: Let your profits ride!
2. Hollow or green candles signify an uptrend: You might want to add to your long positionand exit short positions.
3. Candles with a small body surrounded by upper and lower shadows indicatea trend change: Risk-loving traders might buy or sell here, while others will wait for confirmation before going long or short.
4. Filled or red candles indicate a downtrend: You might want to add to your short positionand exit long positions.
5. Filled or red candles with no higher shadows identify a strong downtrend: Stay short until there's a change in trend.

These signals may make locating trends or trading opportunities easier than with traditional candlesticks. The trends are not interrupted by false signals as oftenand are thus more easily spotted.

The chart example above shows how Heikin-Ashicharts can be used for analysis and making trading decisions. On the left, there are long red candles, and at the start of the decline, the lower wicks are quite small. As the price continues to drop, the lower wicks get longer, indicating that the price dropped but was then pushed back up. Buying pressureis starting to build. This is followed by a strong move to the upside.

The upward move is strong and doesn't give major indications of a reversal until there are several small candles in a row, with shadows on either side. This shows indecision. Traders can look at the bigger picture to help determine whether they should go long or short.

The charts can also be used to keep a trader in a trade after a trend begins. It's usually best to stay in a trade until the Heikin-Ashicandles change color. A change in color doesn't always mean the end of a trend—it could just be a pause.