Symmetrical Triangle Pattern
Converging trendlines with equal slope. Resolves in either direction — wait for the break before trading.
Trading rules at a glance
- Entry
- Long on close above upper trendline, short on close below lower.
- Stop Loss
- On the opposite side of the triangle.
- Target
- Triangle height projected from the apex in the direction of the break.
How the Symmetrical Triangle forms
Price makes lower highs AND higher lows, compressing into an apex. Volume typically contracts as the pattern develops and expands on the breakout.
How to trade it
- Wait for a clear break — do not trade inside the triangle.
- Confirm with volume — breakouts on weak volume often fail.
- Bias the trade in the direction of the prior trend.
- Use the triangle height to set a target.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring trend context — symmetrical triangles favour the prior trend 60-70% of the time.
- Entering prematurely on a wick break.
- Skipping volume confirmation.
Real-world example
USD/JPY traded in a tight symmetrical triangle for most of Q2 2021 before breaking upward out of the pattern in June, resolving in the direction of the prevailing long-term uptrend.
Best timeframes
The Symmetrical Triangle works best on 1H, 4H, Daily charts. It can appear on lower timeframes but signal reliability drops significantly below the 1-hour chart.
Related patterns
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