Pivot Point Calculator
Calculate daily support & resistance levels for day trading
How to use this calculator:
1
Enter the High, Low, and Close prices from the previous trading day
2
Select a Formula Type (Standard, Woodie, Camarilla, or Fibonacci)
3
View your Support/Resistance Levels (S3-R3) — use them for entry, stop-loss, and targets!
Previous Day's Price Data
Formula Type
Standard (Floor Trader): Classic pivot formula using P = (H + L + C) / 3. Most widely used by professional floor traders.
Support & Resistance Levels Auto-calculates
R3
$0.00
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R2
$0.00
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R1
$0.00
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Pivot
$0.00
Base Level
S1
$0.00
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S2
$0.00
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S3
$0.00
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What are Pivot Points?
Pivot points are technical analysis indicators used to determine potential support and resistance levels. They are calculated using the previous day's high, low, and closing prices. Day traders and swing traders use pivot points to identify key price levels where the market might reverse or continue its trend.
How to Use Pivot Points in Trading
- Bullish signal: If price opens above the pivot point, look for long entries at support levels (S1, S2)
- Bearish signal: If price opens below the pivot point, look for short entries at resistance levels (R1, R2)
- Target setting: Use R1, R2, R3 as profit targets for long positions; S1, S2, S3 for shorts
- Stop loss: Place stops just beyond the next support/resistance level
Pivot Point Formulas Explained
| Formula | Pivot Calculation | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | P = (H + L + C) / 3 | General trading, most widely used |
| Woodie | P = (H + L + 2C) / 4 | Emphasizes closing price |
| Camarilla | Uses range × multipliers | Intraday range trading |
| Fibonacci | P + (range × Fib ratios) | Fibonacci traders |
Frequently Asked Questions
A pivot point is a technical analysis indicator that calculates the average of the high, low, and closing prices from the previous trading period. It serves as a predictive indicator of market movement and helps traders identify potential support and resistance levels for the current trading day. Pivot points are widely used by day traders and floor traders to determine short-term trend direction.
The standard pivot point formula is: Pivot (P) = (High + Low + Close) / 3. From this central pivot, support and resistance levels are calculated: R1 = (2 × P) - Low, S1 = (2 × P) - High, R2 = P + (High - Low), S2 = P - (High - Low), R3 = High + 2 × (P - Low), S3 = Low - 2 × (High - P). These formulas create seven key price levels for trading.
Standard: Uses equal weight for H+L+C, most widely used. Woodie: Gives double weight to the closing price (P = (H+L+2C)/4), better for trend continuation. Camarilla: Uses range multipliers for tighter levels, ideal for range-bound intraday trading. Fibonacci: Applies Fibonacci retracement ratios (38.2%, 61.8%, 100%) to the daily range, popular with Fibonacci traders.
Calculate pivots before market open using the previous day's data. If price opens above the pivot, bias is bullish—look for longs at S1/S2 support. If price opens below, bias is bearish—look for shorts at R1/R2 resistance. Use R levels as profit targets for longs, S levels for shorts. Place stops just beyond the next level. R1/S1 are the most reliable levels; R3/S3 typically only hit on high-volatility days.
Standard (Floor Trader) pivot points are best for beginners because they're the most widely used and referenced by professional traders. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy effect—when many traders watch the same levels, those levels become more significant. Start with Standard pivots, then experiment with other formulas as you gain experience.
Yes, pivot points work for any market with high, low, and close data—stocks, forex, crypto, futures, and commodities. For 24-hour markets like forex and crypto, use the daily close at a consistent time (commonly 5 PM EST for forex). Pivot points are especially effective in liquid markets where many traders reference the same levels.
Pivot points are not predictive signals—they're reference levels. Their "accuracy" comes from how price reacts near these levels. Studies show price respects pivot levels about 40-60% of the time, making them useful for setting entries, stops, and targets. Combine pivot points with other indicators (volume, candlestick patterns, trend analysis) for higher-probability trades.
Related Tool: Risk Reward Calculator
Calculate R:R ratio and break-even win rate for your pivot-based trades.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Pivot points are reference levels, not guaranteed support/resistance. Always use proper risk management and consider your trading strategy before entering trades. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
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Pro Trading Tips
- Calculate pivots before market open each day
- R1/S1 are the most reliable levels for intraday trades
- R3/S3 usually only hit on high-volatility days
- Combine with volume analysis for confirmation
- Use Camarilla for tighter, range-bound markets