Pivot point calculator
Enter the previous session's high, low and close to get the classic and Fibonacci pivot points with three resistance and three support levels each.
What pivot points are
Pivot points are price levels calculated from the previous period's high, low and close. Many traders use daily pivots, built from yesterday's prices, as reference levels for the current day: the central pivot as a balance point, resistance levels (R1 to R3) above it and support levels (S1 to S3) below. Weekly and monthly pivots use the prior week's or month's prices in the same way.
The formulas
Classic: P = (high + low + close) ÷ 3. R1 = 2P − low. S1 = 2P − high. R2 = P + (high − low). S2 = P − (high − low). R3 = high + 2(P − low). S3 = low − 2(high − P).
Fibonacci: the same central pivot, with levels at 0.382, 0.618 and 1.000 of the previous range above and below it.
Worked example on gold
Yesterday XAU/USD made a high of 4,050.00, a low of 3,990.00 and closed at 4,030.00. P = (4,050 + 3,990 + 4,030) ÷ 3 = 4,023.33. The range is 60.00.
| Level | Classic | Fibonacci |
|---|---|---|
| R3 | 4,116.67 | 4,083.33 |
| R2 | 4,083.33 | 4,060.41 |
| R1 | 4,056.67 | 4,046.25 |
| P | 4,023.33 | 4,023.33 |
| S1 | 3,996.67 | 4,000.41 |
| S2 | 3,963.33 | 3,986.25 |
| S3 | 3,936.67 | 3,963.33 |
Using pivots sensibly
- Pivots are reference levels, not signals. Price may stop at a level, pass straight through or ignore them altogether.
- Different charts close the day at different times. Many forex platforms use 17:00 New York time; if your broker uses another cut-off, its high, low and close will differ and so will the pivots.
- Levels are most useful alongside your own support and resistance and a defined stop loss.
Related tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
How are pivot points calculated?
The central pivot is the average of the previous high, low and close. Classic support and resistance levels are then derived from the pivot and the previous range, for example R1 = 2 × pivot − low.
Which close should I use for daily pivots in forex?
Use the daily close from your own platform. Many forex brokers end the trading day at 17:00 New York time, but not all do, and a different cut-off changes the high, low and close.
What is the difference between classic and Fibonacci pivots?
Both use the same central pivot. Classic levels come from fixed formulas, while Fibonacci levels are set at 38.2%, 61.8% and 100% of the previous range from the pivot.
Do pivot points work on gold?
The calculation works on any market with a high, low and close, including XAU/USD. Whether levels are useful is a matter of testing in your own trading; they are not a prediction.
Calculators are for education and planning. They do not account for your broker's spread, commission, swap or contract terms. Trading forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money. Read our risk disclosure.