The second target is at point C and it gets accomplished 7 periods after we buy the NZD/USD Forex pair based on our bullish Gartley strategy. Then 10 weeks later the price action reaches the level of point A, which is the next target on the chart. It is located at the 161.8% Fibonacci extension of the AD price move. Twenty-seven periods after the previous target is achieved, the price action manages to reach the 161.8% extension of AD.
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The pattern relies on specific Fibonacci retracement and extension levels. These ratios help determine the points where price movements are likely to reverse. One major mistake by traders using this pattern is misidentifying patterns due to subjective interpretation or incomplete understanding of pattern criteria.
Finally, the CD leg confirms the pattern by retracing 78.6% of the XA leg. In the Gartley 222 pattern, segment AB retraces 61.8% of what is the gartley pattern the XA leg. The CD leg completes the pattern by retracing 78.6% of the XA leg.
Key Takeaways
This means that the potential of the bearish Gartley is a price decline from Point D. The generally expected price target of the bearish Gartley is the 161.8% extension of the AD move. By integrating Fibonacci ratios, the Gartley pattern provides insights into market trends, offering traders a strategic edge when combined with technical analysis. The pattern is fractal, meaning it appears on all timeframes. However, it is most commonly and reliably used by swing traders on the 1-hour, 4-hour, and daily charts, as these tend to filter out market noise. Once you’ve identified the XA leg, draw a Fibonacci retracement tool from point X to point A.
Can the Gartley pattern be applied to all time frames in trading?
You would want to use price action clues such as support/resistance techniques, trend lines, channels, and candle patterns to find an appropriate final exit point. But in general, if the price action shows no signs of interrupting the new trend, just stay in it for as long as you can. The bearish Gartley pattern is the absolute equivalent of the bullish Gartley pattern, but inverted. In this manner, the bearish Gartley has a bearish XA move, a bullish AB move, a bearish BC move, and a bullish CD move.
The Gartley pattern consists of five pivot points labeled X, A, B, C, and D. It starts with an impulse swing (XA), followed by a retracement swing (AB). The BC swing fails to reach point A and is followed by the CD swing, which extends beyond point B but does not reach point X. Liberated Stock Trader, founded in 2009, is committed to providing unbiased investing education through high-quality courses and books. We perform original research and testing on charts, indicators, patterns, strategies, and tools.
Understanding Gartley Pattern: A Guide to Harmonic Chart Patterns
The Bearish Gartley should be traded in an uptrend during a bear market. Again, when the target at point E is completed, it is not necessary to close your short trade out entirely. You can always stay in for a further price decrease by using price action rules or a trailing stop. In this process of bearish or bullish Gartley pattern, there are four consecutive price movements, which typically suggest a continuation of the existing trend. But before point A, a significant high or low move happens, which is also called point X. A common and effective strategy is to use the Fibonacci retracement levels of the move from point A to point D.
- For nearly a century, traders have relied on the Gartley pattern for good reason.
- Notice the adjoining bottoms of these peaks create a small bullish trend line on the chart (yellow), which we can use to settle a final exit point on the chart.
- The enduring appeal of the Gartley pattern lies in its structured, rule-based approach to trading, which removes much of the guesswork from identifying reversals.
- This method may not always be very accurate, but it is quite reliable up to a large extent.
- The pattern starts with point X and it creates four swings until point D is completed.
- The next target is located on the level of point C and the price action reaches it 14 periods after the short Gartley signal.
- Unfortunately, we are not able to make a meaningful backtest of the Gartley pattern trading strategy.
- This convergence of calculations at D forms your Potential Reversal Zone (PRZ).
- Familiarize yourself with the Gartley Pattern’s structure, including the XA, AB, BC, and CD legs, and the specific Fibonacci retracement and extension levels.
As I stated above, when drawing this pattern the first step is identifying it which can be difficult if you don’t have a good understanding of this pattern. To draw the Gartley pattern, you first need to successfully identify it. This pattern usually resembles an “M” or a “W” shape made by the price action in a chart.
After extensive testing, I personally use TradingView for backtesting and trading harmonic patterns like the Gartley 222. It has a custom indicator called Harmonics that automatically detects all harmonic patterns. Then if the price momentum continues to show signs of strength, you can opt to keep a small portion of the trade open in an attempt to catch a large move.
Also referred to as the ‘222’ pattern, the Gartley pattern is a simple XABCD harmonic pattern that consists of five pivot points and four swing points. The pattern starts from point X and swings through points A, B, and C, eventually ending at point D. Both shark and butterfly patterns have deeper retracements at 127% and 161.8%, respectively. These patterns are often seen as high-risk but can also offer high rewards for those who are patient and disciplined. This script not only identifies the patterns but also performs backtesting automatically. There is little evidence of structured backtesting on the Gartley pattern.
Bullish vs. Bearish Gartley Checklist
Use additional technical analysis tools, such as trend lines or moving averages, to confirm the pattern. By following these steps and using Fibonacci retracement levels, you can accurately identify the Gartley Pattern. Recognizing this pattern can help you anticipate market reversals and make more informed trading decisions. So I thought I would write a dedicated post all about the this pattern.
Yes, the Gartley pattern is highly effective in the cryptocurrency markets. The pattern highlights potential reversal points in the market, allowing traders to identify entry and exit points for their trades. Most of us know Fibonacci levels and the love many traders have for them. When used in the right way, those levels can be highly profitable. And the Gartley is definitely one of those harmonic patterns that incorporates Fibonacci ratios.

