# Pivot Point: Definition, Formulas, and How to Calculate

> **Definition**
>
> Pivot points help traders identify support and resistance levels by calculating the average of the previous period's high, low, and closing prices.

One of the few technical analysis indicators that directly addresses support and resistance levels is pivot points (PPs). They serve as reference points for market sentiment, guiding traders in spotting potential reversals, breakouts, and trend confirmations with objective, mathematically derived price levels.

Calculated from the average of the high, low, and closing prices, PPs provide a structured way to identify market trends.

*   Pivot points (PPs) are used to identify potential support and resistance levels in trading.
*   The basic formula for PPs involves the previous period's high, low, and close prices.
*   Traders use PPs to make informed decisions about market trends
*   PPs can be combined with other indicators for enhanced trading strategies.
*   While useful, PPs have limitations and should be used with caution.

![Pivot Point](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/78AQWjM4gLk6QmSCD0wIWOyzuEs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pivotpoint-Final-41c203dc6cbf4ff4ab1cde6e243ba6e6.jpg)

*— Investopedia / Dennis Madamba*

## How To Calculate Pivot Points (PPs)

PPs are calculated using basic mathematics, which includes the previous trading period's high, low, and close prices. The central PP serves as the primary reference level. From there, the [support and resistance](https://www.investopedia.com/trading/support-and-resistance-basics/) levels are derived.

### The Formula for Pivot Points

$\begin{aligned} &P = \frac{\text{High} + \text{Low} + \text{Close}}{3}\\ &R1 = (P \times 2) - \text{Low}\\ &R2 = P + (\text{High} - \text{Low})\\ &S1 = (P \times 2) - \text{High}\\ &S2 = P - (\text{High} - \text{Low})\\ &\textbf{where:}\\ &P=\text{Pivot point}\\ &R1=\text{Resistance 1}\\ &R2=\text{Resistance 2}\\ &S1=\text{Support 1}\\ &S2=\text{Support 2}\\ \end{aligned}$

*   **High** indicates the highest price from the prior trading day
*   **Low** indicates the lowest price from the prior trading day
*   **Close** indicates the closing price from the prior trading day

## Step-by-Step Calculation Process

While most trading and analytical software packages can do the PP calculations for you, here is a step-by-step guide on how to calculate them and the corresponding support and resistance levels.

**Step 1: Gather the Data**

First, collect the following from the previous trading periods:

*   High (H)
*   Low (L)
*   Close (C)

**Step 2: Calculate the PP**

PP is calculated as the average of the high, low, and close points. This acts as the main point of equilibrium between [supply and demand](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/11/intro-supply-demand.asp).

**Step 3: Calculate the Support and Resistance Levels**

Once PP is determined, support and resistance levels are also calculated using the formula illustrated above. These levels indicate initial price barriers where the asset or market may either reverse or consolidate.

S2 and R2 represent deeper support and resistance zones, where strong price reactions may occur.  

## Using Pivot Points in Trading

Traders use PPs to help determine predefined support and resistance levels to guide their trading strategies. In addition, traders identify potential price reversals, trend direction, and breakout opportunities:

*   **Trend identification**: PPs act as a reference level to gauge market sentiment. If the price opens above the PP and remains above it, traders interpret this as an uptrend. Conversely, if the price opens below the pivot point and stays below, it suggests a downtrend.
*   **Support and resistance determination**: Pivot levels are natural barriers where price reactions frequently occur. Traders may enter long positions near support levels, expecting a price bounce, or if the price approaches resistance levels, traders may consider shorting the asset.
*   **Breakout trading**: When the price breaks above resistance or support, it may indicate strong momentum for further movement.
*   **Reversal identification**: Traders also look for failed breakouts or price rejections at pivot levels to anticipate reversals.
*   **Trading strategy combinations**: Traders can improve accuracy by combining PPs with other technical analysis indicators.

## Combining Pivot Points With Other Indicators

Combining PPs with other technical analysis indicators can improve trading accuracy by confirming trends, identifying stronger support and resistance levels, and improving breakout validation. [Moving averages](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/movingaverage.asp) help determine trend direction with confirmation by PPs, signaling bullish or bearish bias.

Fibonacci retracements can help confirm any conclusions by highlighting pullback zones, where PPs aligning with levels increase the chances of a price reversal. Volume indicators with price action breaking above or below PP support and resistance levels help confirm the strength of price movements, reducing the risks of false breakouts.

Additionally, momentum oscillators like the relative strength index ([RSI](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rsi.asp)) and [stochastic oscillator](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stochasticoscillator.asp) can help with trade timing by identifying overbought and oversold conditions. By integrating these and other technical analysis indicators, traders can create a well-rounded approach that increases confidence in trade execution, helps manage risk, and improves market analysis efficiency.

## Advantages of Pivot Points

PPs are a very powerful tool for traders. Below are the advantages of PPs:

*   **Simple and easy to use**: No complex algorithms or advanced indicators are needed to calculate PPs.
*   **Objective support and resistance levels**: Unlike subjective trend lines, PPs provide clear and predefined support and resistance levels.
*   **Provides confluence**: PPs can be combined with technical analysis indicators to increase trade accuracy.
*   **Identifying market sentiment**: PPs provide a quick assessment of market direction and help traders align with the prevailing trend.
*   **Confirms breakouts and reversals**: The tool identifies strong momentum moves for breakout traders and helps range traders capitalize on price reversals.

## Limitations and Considerations

Here are the limitations traders should be aware of:

*   **Reliance on past data**: The values may not always accurately reflect the present market conditions. Unpredictable price movements can render pivot levels ineffective.
*   **Better in range-bound markets**: In strong uptrends or downtrends, prices may break through multiple pivot levels without reversal, making them less reliable.
*   **False Breakouts and Whipsaws**: Prices often briefly break through pivot levels before reversing, leading to false breakout signals. In addition, high market volatility can result in whipsaws, where prices fluctuate erratically around pivot levels.
*   **Static Nature of PPs**: PPs are fixed for a particular period, meaning they don't adjust dynamically.

PPs should be used along with other technical analysis indicators and price action analysis to improve accuracy and reliability for better trade validation and risk management.

### Pros and Cons of Pivot Points

Pros

*   Simple and easy to use
    
*   Objective support and resistance levels
    
*   Provides confluence
    
*   Identifying market sentiment
    
*   Confirming breakouts and reversals
    

Cons

*   Reliance on past data
    
*   Better in range-bound markets
    
*   False breakouts and whipsaws
    
*   Static nature of PPs
    

## Practical Examples of Pivot Points

A forex day trader analyzing the currency pair of the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen ([USD/JPY](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/forex/u/usd-jpy-us-dollar-japanese-yen-currency-pair.asp)) on a one-hour chart searches for short-term prospects by combining PPs, moving averages (in this case, the 50-[SMA](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sma.asp) and the 200-SMA), and [MACD](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/macd.asp) crossovers. After spotting a bearish SMA crossover, followed by a bearish MACD crossover, the trader gains confidence in a short set up. Further strengthening the case, USD/JPY is trading below its weekly PP, indicating a bearish bias.

With confirmation in place, the trader enters a short position, setting a stop loss just above the R1 level and targeting a move down to S2.

![USDJPY- Pivot Points Part I](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/jvmFXpoJ8uaL64sXAQ89SK4rIYk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PP_1-061be77d8b924e65bbf85aba1a3c3f5d.jpg)

*USDJPY- Pivot Points Part I. — Tradingview*

Over the subsequent few sessions, USD/JPY breaks below S1, initially finding a support zone around S2. There was an attempt to break back above S1, but the price move failed. Next was a wave of selling pressure, and USD/JPY eventually made another leg lower, hitting the trader's profit target at S2 and successfully executing the trade based on technical confluence.

![USDJPY - Pivot Point Part II](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/uVNeODtlJoNfg5AMHEEWpNt7TbM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PP_2-4823776a611d4858b3ca49c23f8f3fb3.jpg)

*USD/JPY - Pivot Point Part II. — Tradingview*

## The Bottom Line

While its construction is straightforward, PPs are a powerful tool in technical analysis, helping traders find support and resistance levels, assess market sentiment, and refine trading strategies. They offer clear entry and exit points, though their reliance on historical data and static nature means they work best when combined with other indicators like moving averages, Fibonacci retracements, RSI, and volume analysis.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Timothy Sykes. "[How To Use Pivot Points in Intraday Trading](https://www.timothysykes.com/blog/pivot-points-for-intraday-trading/)." John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
>     
> 2.  J. Person. "[Candlestick and Pivot Point Trading Triggers](https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Candlestick_and_Pivot_Point_Trading_Trig/EJ75DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Candlestick+and+Pivot+Point+Trading+Triggers:+Setups+for+Stock,+Forex,+and+Futures+Markets&printsec=frontcover)." John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
>     
> 3.  CFI Education. "[Pivot Points](https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/pivot-points/)."