What Are Chart Patterns?

Chart patterns are recurring formations in price action that signal potential future movements in the market. Traders analyze these patterns to make educated predictions about price trends.

Broadly, chart patterns fall into three types:

Continuation Patterns: Signal the trend will continue.
Reversal Patterns: Indicate a trend change.
Bilateral Patterns: Suggest price could move in either direction.

Top 11 Chart Patterns

Ascending Staircase: Shows higher highs and higher lows, signaling a bullish trend.

Descending Staircase: Displays lower highs and lower lows, indicating a bearish trend.

Ascending Triangle

Ascending Triangle: Formed by a flat resistance line and upward-sloping support, signaling bullish continuation.

Descending Triangle: Features a flat support line and downward-sloping resistance, pointing to bearish continuation.

Symmetrical Triangle: Two converging trendlines (support and resistance) indicate potential breakout in either direction.

Flag Pattern: A sharp price move (flagpole) followed by consolidation in a rectangular shape signals continuation. (Learn more)

Rising Wedge: A narrowing upward pattern suggests bearish reversal.

Falling Wedge: A narrowing downward pattern suggests bullish reversal.

Double Top: Two consecutive peaks form at a resistance level, signaling bearish reversal.

Double Bottom: Two troughs form at a support level, signaling bullish reversal.

Head and Shoulders: A three-peak pattern: one higher peak (head) flanked by two lower peaks (shoulders), signaling bearish reversal.

Rounded Top or Bottom: Gradual rounding of price signals reversal: tops indicate bearish moves, bottoms indicate bullish moves.

Cup and Handle: A rounded bottom (cup) followed by a small consolidation (handle) signals bullish continuation.

Complex chart patterns in technical analysis are more intricate formations that traders and investors use to predict potential price movements in financial markets. These patterns require a deep understanding of market behavior and typically take longer to form compared to simpler patterns.

We will look over complex patterns in later sections of your educational journey.

11 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know