- Type of Indicator: Volatility
- Creator: John Bollinger
- When Created: 1980s
- First Mentioned In: Bollinger on Bollinger Bands by John Bollinger.
What Is The Bollinger Bands Width?
Bollinger Band Width is a technical analysis tool that measures the width of the Bollinger Bands relative to the moving average.
It is calculated by dividing the difference between the upper and lower bands by the middle band. Bollinger Band Width is designed to provide information about the volatility of a cryptocurrency and potential entry and exit points.
BBW expands and contracts based on the volatility of the security being analyzed.
How Do You Read The BBW?
Bollinger Band Width provides traders with information about the volatility of a cryptocurrency and potential entry and exit points.
When the bands are narrow, BBW is low, indicating low volatility. When the bands are wide, BBW is high, indicating high volatility. The tool can be used to identify potential trend changes and market reversals.
How Does The BBW Work?
Bollinger Band Width works by measuring the width of the Bollinger Bands relative to the moving average. It is calculated by dividing the difference between the upper and lower bands by the middle band.
BBW expands and contracts based on the volatility of the security being analyzed.
How Is The Bollinger Bands Width Calculated?
Bollinger Band Width is calculated using the following formula:
BBW = (Upper Band – Lower Band) / Middle Band
How Do You Use The Bollinger Bands Width?
Volatility Identification: Bollinger Band Width can be used to identify the volatility of a security. When BBW is low, it indicates low volatility. When BBW is high, it indicates high volatility.
Potential Trend Changes and Market Reversals: Bollinger Band Width can be used to identify potential trend changes and market reversals. When the bands are contracting, and BBW is low, it indicates a potential breakout or trend change. When the bands are expanding, and BBW is high, it may indicate that the current trend is likely to continue.
Additional Trading & Risk Management Tips
Use the Bollinger Bands Width in conjunction with other technical indicators and chart patterns to improve the accuracy of your trading signals.
Be patient and wait for Bollinger Band Width to signal a potential breakout or trend change before entering a position, as false signals can occur when the price is trading within the bands.
Adjust the periods of the moving average and standard deviation of the Bollinger Bands to suit your specific trading style and the market you are analyzing.
Use proper risk management techniques to protect your investments, and always consider other factors in addition to Bollinger Band Width when making trading decisions.
Be aware that Bollinger Band Width is a lagging indicator. This means it reflects past price movements and may not accurately predict future price movements.
Monitor Bollinger Band Width for changes in volatility and potential trend changes or reversals. This can help signal potential entry and exit points.
Consider using the tool in conjunction with support and resistance levels or trendlines to confirm potential entry and exit points or to identify areas of confluence.
Practice using BBW on historical data and demo trading accounts to evaluate its effectiveness for your specific trading style and market conditions before incorporating it into your live trading strategy. Practice using the Bollinger Bands Width using a TradingView account to backtest performance.