Indicator guide · Oscillators

Williams %R: what it shows, settings and how to read it.

A close cousin of Stochastic, plotted from 0 to -100.

What Williams %R shows

A close cousin of Stochastic, plotted from 0 to -100.

How it is calculated

It shows where the close sits inside the high-low range of the last N candles, on a scale from 0 down to -100. It is the Stochastic %K turned upside down.

Usual settings

Length 14, with lines at -20 (overbought) and -80 (oversold).

How traders read it

Above -20 is overbought, below -80 oversold.

Where it fails

Gives the same information as Stochastic; no need to use both.

What to combine it with

A moving average for trend direction, and support and resistance.

Try Williams %R on a live chart

Sign in, open Genni Charts, press the "ƒx Indicators" button above the chart and choose Williams %R. Click its name on the chart to change the settings. It is free for every member.

More in "Oscillators": RSI · MACD · Stochastic · Stochastic RSI · CCI · ROC · All 25 indicators

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the Williams %R indicator?
A close cousin of Stochastic, plotted from 0 to -100.
What are the best settings for Williams %R?
The usual settings are: Length 14, with lines at -20 (overbought) and -80 (oversold). No setting is best in every market, so test a change on past data before relying on it.
Is Williams %R reliable on its own?
No single indicator is. Gives the same information as Stochastic; no need to use both. Most traders use it together with: A moving average for trend direction, and support and resistance.
How do I add Williams %R to a chart for free?
Sign in, open Genni Charts, press the "ƒx Indicators" button above the chart and choose Williams %R. Click its name on the chart to change the settings. It is free for every member.

This page is education, not investment advice. Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Read next: Trading indicators · Trading strategies · Candlestick patterns