3 Forex Chart Patterns You Need to Use in 2023

by Justin Bennett  · 

June 3, 2023

by Justin Bennett  · 

June 3, 2023

by Justin Bennett  · 

June 3, 2023


Drawing charts

I only use a handful of Forex chart patterns.

In fact, I would say that 80% of the trades I take are based on channels.

That’s it!

Surprised?

The thing is, I like to keep things simple; really simple.

I’ve often said that you only need one pattern to become successful as a Forex trader.

Maybe the one you’ve been looking for is in this post?

Read on to find out!

1) The Head and Shoulders (and Inverse)

 

This is not only my favorite reversal pattern, but it is also my favorite pattern, period.

USDJPY head and shoulders

That includes its inverse, which has similar characteristics.

For those who have followed me for a while now, you may recall that my favorite pattern to trade used to be the wedge.

However, the last year of trading has produced a new winner in my book.

The head and shoulders is the least common of the three formations we will discuss today. While there may be similar price structures that occur more frequently, a valid and therefore tradable head and shoulders reversal doesn’t come around very often.

Why I trade it

Put simply, it works. But more than that, it can be quite easy to spot and extremely profitable when you know what to look for and how to trade it.

The pattern can offer a precise entry given the fact that the neckline is generally based on several highs or lows. This fact alone takes a lot of the guesswork out of determining when the pattern has confirmed.

Another huge benefit, like the other two technical formations below, is that we have a measured objective from which to identify a possible target.

Staying out of trouble

This is something that you may not know (unless of course you’re one of my members). In order to be considered valid, the two shoulders of the pattern must overlap at some point.

Situations where the shoulders don’t overlap are most common when the pattern unfolds at a steep angle. While a break of the trend line (if one exists) may trigger a change in trend, it does not fit the criteria to be called, or traded as, a head and shoulders pattern.

No overlap on head and shoulders

Notice how no part of the first shoulder in the illustration above overlaps the second shoulder. This disqualifies the price structure from being traded as a head and shoulders pattern.

Another common mistake among Forex traders is to use a measured objective as a “one-stop shop”. In other words, they simply measure out the distance in pips and then set a pending order to book profits at that level.

While that may occasionally work out in your favor, a much better approach is to determine whether or not that objective lines up with a pre-existing key level. If it does, perfect, however a more common scenario is one where the market will come in contact with a key level prior to reaching the objective.

Take profit level for reversal pattern

If this is the case, you’re far better off taking profit at the key level rather than hoping for an extended move to the objective. Remember that technical analysis is not a perfect science and there are no guarantees, so there’s no sense to risk losing an unrealized gain of 500 pips in order to make an extra 50 pips in profit.

Last but not least, the head and shoulders is best traded on the 4-hour chart or higher. However, I have found that the best price structures tend to form on the daily time frame. A formation on the 1-hour chart or lower should always be ignored, regardless of how well-defined the structure may be.

2) The Wedge Chart Pattern

As the name implies, the wedge is a technical pattern in which price moves into a narrowing formation, also called a triangle.

USDJPY multi-year wedge pattern

Unlike the head and shoulders we just discussed, the wedge is most often viewed as a continuation pattern. This means that once broken, price tends to move in the direction of the preceding trend.

That said, it’s important not to get caught up in trying to predict a future direction while the pattern is still intact. Only once support or resistance is broken should you begin to identify possible targets.

Why I trade it

The wedge was one of the first Forex chart patterns I began trading shortly after I entered the market in 2007. By 2010, I had not only become proficient in trading them, but I had also developed the intuition necessary to identify the most profitable formations – something that can only be had after years of practice.

The really great wedge patterns don’t come around all that often. By “really great”, I’m referring to the ones that form on the daily chart. While you can trade these on the 4-hour time frame, in my experience the most lucrative trade setups form on the daily time frame.

Wedges tend to play out relatively quickly compared to something like the head and shoulders pattern. However, they also allow for an advantageous risk to reward ratio, especially the larger structures that form on the daily chart.

This combination allows you to secure a nice profit in a relatively short period of time. So although they don’t come around all that often, wedges should certainly be something that you watch for during extended periods of consolidation.

Staying out of trouble

There are three common mistakes I see traders making when it comes to trading the wedge.

The first and perhaps most prevalent is trying to force support and resistance levels to fit. In fact, this is a common issue I see across all of trading, not just wedges.

Poorly fitted wedge pattern

As I always say, if a level is not extremely obvious, it should be ignored. The three points in the illustration above are clearly not inline with the upper and lower levels of consolidation, which invalidates the formation in terms of “tradability”.

The second mistake I see among traders is attempting to trade a wedge on a lower time frame. While these formations may occur more often, they won’t be nearly as reliable or effective as the price structures that form on the daily time frame.

Last but not least is the issue of timing. As you may well know, timing is a key factor if you wish to succeed in the world of Forex. And when it comes to wedge patterns, timing is everything.

More often than not, when this pattern breaks, the market will retest the broken level as new support or resistance. This retest offers the perfect opportunity for an entry, however it does take patience to achieve.

Proper entry for a wedge pattern

Be careful of entering on the first closed candle outside of the pattern as you will likely get a retrace of some sort. This will not only give you a more favorable entry, but it will also help you avoid making an emotional decision about exiting the position in the event you entered prematurely.

3) The Bull and Bear Flag Patterns

The bull or bear flag is another name for a channel. However, by adding “bull” or “bear” to the designation, we’re giving it a directional bias. So as you might expect, it is most often traded as a continuation pattern.

AUDCHF bullish flag pattern on the daily chart

Like the head and shoulders, flags often form after an extended move up or down and represent a period of consolidation. It’s essentially an indecision point in the market, where the bulls and bears are battling to see who will win control.

Why I trade it

I feel confident in saying that you could literally trade nothing but bull and bear flags and make very good money in the Forex market. This, of course, assumes that you have become a proficient price action trader.

Why do I think so?

There are a few reasons, but mostly due to the fact that these formations occur quite often. This is true even if you are trading the higher time frames.

Of course when I say “quite often”, I’m referring to a few times per month, at most. That said, you only need one profitable trade each month to make good money as a Forex trader.

If that one good trade comes in the form of a bullish or bearish flag pattern, it is likely to have an extremely favorable risk to reward ratio attached to it. This is another reason why I love having this price structure included in my trading plan.

The measured objective in this case often allows for several hundred pips on most currency pairs. Combine that with a precise entry and a well-placed stop loss that is 50 to 100 pips away, and you have a recipe for a profit potential of 3R or better just about every time.

Staying out of trouble

Like the other patterns above, there are a few things you should watch out for when trading this formation.

The first is perhaps the most obvious – never cut off the highs or lows in order to make the channel fit. If it isn’t obvious before you even draw the channel tool on your chart, it isn’t likely something you’ll want to trade.

The illustration below shows price action that you would want to ignore completely.

Bull flag pattern that has been forced

Notice how the two points above don’t match up with support and resistance.

Calculating the measured objective also tends to give traders fits. Just remember that the measurement should include the consolidating price action.

Properly measuring an objective for a flag pattern

The correct measurement in the illustration above covers the entire “flag pole”, not just the price action leading up to the consolidation.

Final Words

Using chart patterns to trade the Forex market isn’t for everyone. However, if you enjoy using raw price action to identify opportunities, the three formations above would make a great addition to your trading plan.

You don’t have to know and trade every price structure available in order to make consistent gains as a Forex trader. Doing so will only slow the learning process and also send you chasing trades in every which direction.

Becoming a successful trader is about finding an approach to the markets that fits your style, defining your trading plan and then refining those rules as you gain experience.

So if you enjoy trading technical patterns, as I do, be sure to give some consideration to the three we just covered; they truly are all you need to become consistently profitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Forex chart patterns?

As the name implies, Forex chart patterns are formations that occur on a price chart. They develop due to psychological triggers as other traders tend to focus on similar patterns in the market.

What are the most profitable Forex patterns to trade?

The head and shoulders, channels (bull and bear flags), and wedges (rising and falling) are three of my favorite patterns.

What time frame is best to identify these patterns?

In my experience, the higher time frames such as the daily and weekly are the best to identify and trade chart patterns. The 4-hour can be advantageous as well, but the daily and weekly should come first, in my opinion.


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45  Comments

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  1. I’m a fan of these patterns too, thanks to your teaching. These three patterns are easy to spot, simple to trade and highly effective.

  2. Hi Justin, thank you for your great and consistent work.
    Can this flag be valid? Doesn’t look to be, just confirming. Having read a previous post re: this pair and the h&s pattern that now seems to be realized, this q aims to define the invalidation point of the certain -appears to be- bullish flag.

  3. Awesome post Justin. What I like about these patterns is that once they form on the charts they are for the most part consistent and predictable. You’re not going to win 100% of the time with them, but as I said they are consistent and do perform well. My favorite one is the pennant. I love the way it bounces or rockets in its intended direction. It is a pattern that I myself is comfortable with and even teach it to my clients. Stick with what works for you and you’ll get consistent results. I hope you all have a magnificent day on PURPOSE!

    1. Tareeq, you got it! There is no approach to trading that will work 100% of the time. It’s about finding something that fits your style, developing an edge that stacks the odds in your favor and always maintaining a favorable risk to reward ratio.

      It doesn’t happen overnight but it does work given the right amount of time, effort and patience.

    2. Hello FXALTareeq,

      In regard to you comment, I would please like you to teach me the pennant pattern you mentioned if possible.

      Thanks
      Kev.

  4. Real world trading looks very different to nicely drawn illustrations. Maybe if you offered trade examples from actual trading within a third-party verified account you could be taken seriously. The thing is this: my five year old niece does drawings similar to those in this article. But she’s no trader. I would’ve expected something different from a guy who calls himself a professional trader and who has ads in Forbes and Washington Post (that’s how I landed here).

    1. Hi JLTrader, perhaps you should have a look around the site before making such a drastic judgement call. The reason I used these drawings in this lesson is simply because it’s easier to explain the patterns.

      If you want “real-world trading” examples, have a look at the following links:

      https://dailypriceaction.com/daily-setup/gbpjpy-cracks-fourteen-month-trend-line-targets-165-60

      https://dailypriceaction.com/daily-setup/cad-pairs-show-resilience-breakout-forthcoming

      https://dailypriceaction.com/daily-setup/gbpcad-breaches-channel-resistance-targets-2-0560

      https://dailypriceaction.com/daily-setup/cadjpy-finds-selling-pressure-former-wedge-support

      https://dailypriceaction.com/daily-setup/gbpusd-bear-flag-focus-ahead-fed-rate-decision

      https://dailypriceaction.com/daily-setup/nzdjpy-retests-head-shoulders-neckline

      These are but a few of the real-world examples I publish every week.

      Have a good one.

      Justin

    2. They work. Over 80% success on trades taken on these patterns. When people are buying signals they are buying tips on these patterns. It’s a shame considering that a five year old can trade these patterns and make money especially on longer (4H and greater-especially 1D time frames).

  5. Justin, I am regular reader of your blog, I want to know that the patterns you explained is only for forex or can be applied in any instrument like commodities or stocks.

  6. Hi Justin,

    In your article, you said both Wedge and Flag are most viewed as “Continuation” pattern. For what I have known, continuation or not should take the combination of 1)The trend type before the Wedge or Flag and 2) The formation type of Wedge or Flag into consideration.

    Say for example, if the previous trend is “up” and the flag is “ascending”, this flag pattern is most viewed as a “Reversal” pattern. Same applied to Wedge.

    If you agree with that , I will be very happy to see you updated this great article to make it more complete.

    Anyway, this is a great pattern article for beginners. Keep you good work!

  7. Thanks very much…I can’t waiting to get fantastic skills please help me to know forex trick..From East Africa (Tanzania)

  8. Hi Justin. Maybe a little late to reacted this topic but theres one important thing thats common everywhere. Thats the famous retest. Why on earth should banks, marketmakers whatever return to the place of “crime”. Imean they have filled their pockets in the consolidation, selled everthing here they got for highest price or buyed all they could get for the lowest price. Why this return!!

  9. This article is very benificial. A forex chart is a chart that lets you know the rate of exchange between two currencies or pairs. It graphically displays the historical and current trends and behaviour of the market and various currencies. It also depicts the changes in price over time. For identifying various movements, trends and patterns of the market, trade analysts and day traders use these charts in their favour.

  10. Thank you very much for providing such valuable material for free.
    what is great about it is simplicity and clarity and catching the core of the thing.
    I am newbie, just start to learning the basics,not even start demo acc. may I be one day join dailypriceaction.com.

  11. To the point content, I really liked the intent; these chart patterns provide better risk-reward trades; I frequently use volume in conjunction with chart patterns; it helps me identify valid breakouts.

  12. well am only happy i was able to rec0 ver waht i l0s t t0 s0me fa.ke trade c0mpany by rthnkS t0 MAKETPEACE N3T th3y were able t0 pull out my fu nds. vIsIt them 2day f0r h3Ip 

  13. well am only happy i was able to rec0 ver waht i l0s t t0 s0me fa.ke trade c0mpany by rthnkS t0 MAKETPEACE N3T th3y were able t0 pull out my fu nds. vIsIt them 2day f0r h3Ip.

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