How pivot points are calculated
Pivot (P) = (High + Low + Close) ÷ 3
The classic method then sets R1 = 2P − Low and S1 = 2P − High, with R2 and S2 one full day's range above and below the pivot, and R3 = High + 2 × (P − Low) and S3 = Low − 2 × (High − P). TradingView calls this version "Traditional"; its "Classic" setting puts R3 and S3 two full ranges from the pivot instead (4,381.17 and 4,207.17 on the example day).
The other methods use the same inputs differently: Fibonacci pivots add and subtract 38.2%, 61.8% and 100% of the range from the pivot, Camarilla levels are close to the previous close, Woodie gives the previous close double weight (TradingView's built-in Woodie uses today's open instead, so its levels differ), and DeMark changes the formula depending on whether the day closed above, below or level with its open.
Five methods compared on one gold day
| Level | Classic | Fibonacci | Camarilla | Woodie | DeMark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R4 | – | – | 4,325.13 | – | – |
| R3 | 4,362.93 | 4,337.67 | 4,313.16 | – | – |
| R2 | 4,337.67 | 4,321.05 | 4,309.18 | 4,339.43 | – |
| R1 | 4,319.43 | 4,310.78 | 4,305.19 | 4,322.95 | 4,328.55 |
| Pivot | 4,294.17 | 4,294.17 | – | 4,295.93 | 4,298.73 |
| S1 | 4,275.93 | 4,277.55 | 4,297.21 | 4,279.45 | 4,285.05 |
| S2 | 4,250.67 | 4,267.28 | 4,293.23 | 4,252.43 | – |
| S3 | 4,232.43 | 4,250.67 | 4,289.24 | – | – |
| S4 | – | – | 4,277.28 | – | – |
Camarilla's inner levels sit close to the close, so it suits range traders who fade moves to R3 and S3. Classic and Fibonacci levels are wider apart and are often used for breakout and trend trades.
Which high, low and close to use
Forex and gold have no single official close. Most forex brokers end the trading day at 5 p.m. New York time, which is 02:30 IST while the US is on summer time and 03:30 IST in winter (US clocks go back on 1 November 2026). Not all do: a broker on GMT+0 server time closes its daily candle at 05:30 IST, which gives different levels, so check your platform's server time and use a daily candle that closes at 5 p.m. New York. The day's levels then hold for the whole Indian trading day. Weekly and monthly pivots work the same way with the previous week's or month's candle.
How traders use pivot points
- Bias: many traders read price above the pivot as a bullish bias for the session and below it as bearish.
- Targets and stops: R1 and S1 are common first targets, and many traders place the stop beyond the next level. Size it with the lot size calculator.
- Agreement with other levels: a pivot level that lines up with a Fibonacci retracement or an old high carries more weight.
- News days: on NFP or FOMC days price can run straight through every level; check the forex calendar.