10 Best Indicators for TradingView That Every Trader Should Know About
TradingView is one of the most popular charting platforms in the world, and for good reason. With an intuitive interface, access to thousands of assets, and a massive library of technical indicators, it offers something for traders of all levels. But with so many tools available, it can be overwhelming to know which indicators actually matter.
Whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes or an experienced trader refining your edge, this guide will walk you through 10 of the best indicators on TradingView that can genuinely enhance your analysis and decision-making.
1. Relative Strength Index (RSI)
The RSI is a classic momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements. It ranges from 0 to 100 and helps identify overbought and oversold conditions.
- Above 70 = overbought (possible pullback)
- Below 30 = oversold (possible bounce)
Why it’s useful: RSI can help traders spot trend reversals or confirm trend strength when used alongside price action. Best for: Spotting divergences, trend continuation, and potential reversal zones.
2. Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)
The MACD is both a trend-following and momentum indicator. It shows the relationship between two moving averages (usually the 12 and 26 EMA) and includes a signal line and histogram.
Key signals:
- MACD crosses above signal line = potential buy
- MACD crosses below signal line = potential sell
Why it’s useful: It helps confirm trends and spot momentum shifts early. Best for: Momentum trading and trend confirmation.
3. Volume Profile Fixed Range
This powerful indicator displays the volume traded at each price level over a selected range, giving you a visual of support/resistance zones that actually matter.
Why it’s useful: It shows where buyers and sellers are most active, helping identify high-probability areas for entries, exits, and stop placements. Best for: Volume-based analysis, especially in range-bound or consolidation markets.
4. Exponential Moving Averages (EMA)
EMAs are weighted moving averages that give more importance to recent prices. Common setups include the 8, 21, 50, and 200 EMA.
Why it’s useful: EMAs are great for identifying dynamic support and resistance, as well as trend direction. Popular combination: Use 8 and 21 EMA crossovers for short-term signals or the 50/200 EMA crossover (Golden Cross or Death Cross) for longer-term insights. Best for: Trend identification and entry timing.
5. Supertrend
The Supertrend indicator plots a line above or below price based on volatility (ATR) and trend direction.
- Green line = uptrend
- Red line = downtrend
Why it’s useful: It’s simple, visual, and helps filter trades in the direction of the prevailing trend. Best for: Trend trading and quick direction filters.
6. Bollinger Bands
Bollinger Bands consist of a simple moving average with upper and lower bands based on standard deviation. They help measure volatility and potential price extremes.
Key strategies:
- Price touching upper band = possible overbought
- Price touching lower band = possible oversold
- Band squeeze = potential breakout
Why it’s useful: It helps traders anticipate breakouts and identify ranging markets. Best for: Volatility-based trading and mean reversion strategies.
7. Ichimoku Cloud
The Ichimoku Cloud is a comprehensive indicator that provides insights into trend direction, support/resistance, and momentum—all in one view.
Components:
- Kumo (Cloud): Shows support/resistance zones
- Tenkan-sen & Kijun-sen: Signal lines for entries
- Chikou Span: Confirms trend
Why it’s useful: It’s a complete trading system by itself and helps you see the bigger picture. Best for: Trend traders looking for clear signals and structure.
8. Volume Oscillator
The Volume Oscillator measures the difference between two volume moving averages, helping detect increasing or decreasing buying/selling pressure.
Why it’s useful: Rising volume during a price move adds credibility to that move. This tool helps spot false breakouts or confirmed moves. Best for: Volume confirmation on breakouts and trend reversals.
9. Stochastic RSI (Stoch RSI)
This is the RSI of the RSI is a momentum indicator of a momentum indicator. It fluctuates between 0 and 1 and is very responsive to price changes.
- Above 0.8 = overbought
- Below 0.2 = oversold
Why it’s useful: It offers earlier signals than traditional RSI, especially in fast-moving markets. Best for: Scalping, day trading, and catching short-term reversals.
10. Pivot Points Standard
Pivot points are key price levels calculated from the previous session’s high, low, and close. They include:
- Pivot Point (P)
- Support (S1, S2, S3)
- Resistance (R1, R2, R3)
Why it’s useful: They act as automatic support/resistance levels, making them great for intraday planning. Best for: Day traders and scalpers identifying key levels in advance.
Bonus: Built-In TradingView Community Scripts
TradingView has a rich community of script developers creating custom indicators. Some notable mentions include:
- LuxAlgo Premium Tools
- QQE MOD
- Market Cipher-style indicators
- Divergence for Many Indicators These scripts combine multiple technical tools or advanced signals into one dashboard. Many are free; others are premium but worth exploring based on your strategy.
Tips for Using Indicators Effectively
While indicators can enhance your analysis, they shouldn’t be used in isolation. Here are a few practical tips:
Combine Indicators
Use a mix of momentum, trend, and volume indicators to build a well-rounded system. For example: EMA + RSI + Volume Profile.
Avoid Redundancy
Don’t use multiple indicators that tell you the same thing (e.g., RSI and Stochastic RSI). Keep your charts clean and focused.
Understand the Logic
Don’t just follow indicators blindly. Learn how they’re calculated and why they work—this builds confidence in your trading plan.
Backtest Your Setup
Use TradingView’s Bar Replay and Strategy Tester tools to simulate trades and assess the effectiveness of your chosen indicators over time.
Final Thoughts
TradingView is a powerful platform packed with technical tools, but the key to success isn’t in using every indicator, it’s in finding a few that align with your style, understanding how they work, and combining them into a coherent strategy.
The 10 indicators above are popular for a reason: they’re time-tested, versatile, and provide clear insights into price action, momentum, volume, and structure. Master just a few of them, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a more confident, consistent trader.
