What it does
MA Cross plots two moving averages of different lengths, such as a 9-period and a 21-period, and highlights the points where the faster average crosses the slower one. A cross of the fast above the slow (a golden cross on longer settings like 50 and 200) signals momentum shifting up, while a cross below (a death cross) signals it shifting down. The calculation is simply two standard moving averages compared bar by bar.
Typedraws on the price chart
How to add it
Click Indicators (ƒx) in the header.
Search “MA Cross” and click the result.
Hover its legend row and click the gear to open settings.
How traders use it
- Take the fast average crossing above the slow one as a buy-side trend signal and the cross below as a sell-side signal, ideally in the direction of a higher-timeframe trend.
- Common pairs: 9/21 EMA for short-term trading, 20/50 for swing trading, 50/200 SMA for major golden and death cross regime shifts.
- Use the slow average as dynamic support or resistance for pullback entries after a bullish cross instead of chasing the cross itself.
- Filter signals with ADX or volume: only act on crosses when trend strength readings confirm a real directional move.
Inputs
| Input | Type | Default | Range / Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | number | 9 | 1–2000 |
| Long | number | 26 | 1–2000 |
Plots & styling
| Plot | Style | Default color |
|---|---|---|
| Short | line | #43A047 |
| Long | line | #FF6D00 |
| Crosses | cross | #2196F3 |
Every plot's color, line width and visibility can be changed on the Style tab. Precision, price-scale labels and status-line values are configurable at the bottom of the Style tab.
Tips
- Double-click any of its lines to jump straight into the settings dialog.
- Save the configured chart as a study template (Indicators menu) to reapply this exact setup elsewhere.
- Right-click the indicator's line for quick actions — settings, visibility and removal without hunting through menus.
Watch out for
- Crossovers lag price by design, so a large part of the move is often over before the signal prints, and exits give back profit.
- In sideways markets the two averages cross repeatedly, and whipsaw losses from those false signals can erase trend-following gains.