Draw standard deviation channel

PC Draw standard deviation channel

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On MetaTrader4 (MT4) / MetaTrader5 (MT5), you can draw the standard deviation channel which is based on the ideas of statistics, linear regression, and standard deviation. It is made up of 3 lines, the linear regression line and the 2 lines above and below it. Unlike the linear regression channel, the locations of the 2 lines are calculated using the standard deviation. Similar to the linear regression channel, the line above represents the resistance line and the bottom line represents the support line. You can use these to predict break points.

Related article: Draw regression channel

Here we'll take a look at how to draw and set up the standard deviation channel in MT4/MT5.

Switch between MT4/MT5 tabs to check the steps for each.

Step 1

Click "Insert" in the menu. Hover the pointer over "Channels" and select "Standard Deviation".

Display the button on the toolbar

The button for drawing the standard deviation channel is not in the toolbar by default, but the button can be made to appear by customizing the toolbar.

Related article: Customize toolbar buttons

In MT4, 5 types of channels are available, including the Andrews' Pitchfork, which is on the "Insert" menu.

Fibonacci

Fibonacci channel uses the trendline and creates parallel channel lines using the Fibonacci ratio.
Linear regression

Draws a center line (regression line) using the close price of each candle, and then draws equally spaced two parallel lines above and below it. The parallel lines pass through the close price farthest from the center line.
Equidistant channel

Draws two parallel lines. Each line can be moved separately while keeping them parallel.

Standard deviation

Draws a center line (regression line) using the close price of each candle, and then draws two parallel lines at a distance of standard deviation from the center line.
Andrews' Pitchfork

Three parallel lines are drawn using three points: the starting point of the trend and the high and low just after the trend.

Step 2

Click the starting point on the chart and drag it to the end point to create the standard deviation channel.

Step 3

If you want to adjust the position of standard deviation channel, make sure the white dots are being displayed on the standard deviation channel and move each dot as necessary. If you cannot see the white dots, double-click near the standard deviation channel to display the white dots.

Number	Descriptions
1	Change the starting point of the standard deviation channel.
2	Change the position of the standard deviation channel.
3	Change the end point of the standard deviation channel.

Values displayed during drawing a standard deviation channel

Values displayed during drawing a StdDev channel

Values displayed when dragging indicate the numbers of candlesticks and points from the starting point to the end point.

Step 4

To modify the standard deviation channel settings, right-click near the linear regression line of the standard deviation channel and select "StdDev Channel properties...".

Step 5

On the "Properties" window, edit the parameters in the "Common", "Parameters", and "Visualization" tabs and click "OK".

"Common" tab

Number	Item name	Descriptions
1	Name	Name the standard deviation channel.
2	Description	The description can be displayed on the chart when hovering the pointer over the linear regression line.
3	Style	Set the color, line type, and line thickness for the standard deviation channel.
4	Draw object as background	Check this box if you want to place the standard deviation channel behind the chart.

"Parameters" tab

Number	Item name	Descriptions
1	Starting point position	Specify the starting point position by date and time.
2	End point position	Specify the end point position by date and time.
3	Ray	Check this box to extend the standard deviation channel to the right.
4	Deviations	Set the standard deviation. If you set it to "2", the standard deviation channel will be formed with ±2σ deviation.

Use "Ray" for future analysis

"Ray" is a parameter that can be set on an object such as a channel to extend the line beyond its end point. This makes it easier to analyze, as the line will be extended into the future, based on the price movement between the starting point and the end point at a certain point in time.

"Visualization" tab

On the "Visualization" tab, you can specify the timeframes to use the standard deviation channel with.

Step 1

Click "Insert" in the menu. Hover the pointer over "Objects" > "Channels" and select "StdDev Channel".

Display the button on the toolbar

The button for drawing the standard deviation channel is not in the toolbar by default, but the button can be made to appear by customizing the toolbar.

Related article: Customize toolbar buttons

On MT5, five types of channels can be drawn including the Fibonacci channel in the "Fibonacci" menu.

Equidistant channel

Draws two parallel lines. Each line can be moved separately while keeping them parallel.
Standard deviation

Draws a center line (regression line) using the close price of each candle, and then draws two parallel lines at a distance of standard deviation from the center line.
Linear regression

Draws a center line (regression line) using the close price of each candle, and then draws equally spaced two parallel lines above and below it. The parallel lines pass through the close price farthest from the center line.

Andrews' Pitchfork

Three parallel lines are drawn using three points: the starting point of the trend and the high and low just after the trend.
Fibonacci

Fibonacci channel uses the trendline and creates parallel channel lines using the Fibonacci ratio.

Step 2

Click the starting point on the chart and drag it to the end point to create the standard deviation channel.

Step 3

Number	Descriptions
1	Change the starting point of the standard deviation channel.
2	Change the position of the standard deviation channel.
3	Change the end point of the standard deviation channel.

Values displayed during drawing a standard deviation channel

Values displayed when dragging indicate the numbers of candlesticks and points from the starting point to the end point.

Step 4

To modify the standard deviation channel settings, right-click near the channel and select "Properties of (channel name)".

Step 5

On the "Properties" window, edit the parameters in the "Common", "Parameters", and "Visualization" tabs and click "OK".

"Common" tab

Number	Item name	Descriptions
1	Name	Name the standard deviation channel.
2	Description	The description of the standard deviation channel can be displayed on the chart. Related article: Show or hide items on chart
3	Style	Set the color, line type, and line thickness for the standard deviation channel.
4	Draw object as background	Check this box if you want to place the standard deviation channel behind the chart.
5	Disable selection	Check this box if you want to disable the editing of the standard deviation channel.

"Parameters" tab

Number	Item name	Descriptions
1	Starting point position	Specify the starting point position by date and time.
2	End point position	Specify the end point position by date and time.
3	Ray/Fill	Check each box to extend the standard deviation channel to the left and right, or fill inside the channel.
4	Deviations	Set the standard deviation. If you set it to "2", the standard deviation channel will be formed with ±2σ deviation.

What are "Ray" and "Fill"?

Ray is a parameter that can be set on channels and other objects to extend the line beyond its end point. This makes it easier to analyze, as the line will be extended into the past and future, based on the price movement between the starting point and the end point at a certain point in time. As for "Fill", this feature fills the channel with a color to highlight its range.