What it does
The Momentum indicator is the simplest momentum measure: the current close minus the close N bars ago (default 10), plotted as a line around zero. Positive and rising values mean price is climbing faster; negative and falling values mean the decline is accelerating. Some versions display the same information as a ratio times 100 instead of a difference.
How to add it
Click Indicators (ƒx) in the header.
Search “Momentum” and click the result.
Hover its legend row and click the gear to open settings.
How traders use it
- Use the zero line: crossing above zero means price is higher than N bars ago (bullish shift), below zero bearish.
- Watch for momentum peaking before price: the line making a lower high while price makes a higher high is a classic pre-reversal divergence.
- Confirm breakouts: a breakout with momentum simultaneously surging supports follow-through.
- Combine with a moving average of the momentum line itself for smoother crossover signals.
Inputs
| Input | Type | Default | Range / Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | number | 10 | 1–200 |
| Source | select | close | Close / Open / High / Low / HL2 / HLC3 / OHLC4 |
Plots & styling
| Plot | Style | Default color |
|---|---|---|
| MOM(10) | line | #2196F3 |
Every plot's color, line width and visibility can be changed on the Style tab. Precision (default 2 decimals), price-scale labels and status-line values are configurable at the bottom of the Style tab.
Reference levels
| Level | Value |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
Level values, colors and line styles are editable in settings.
Tips
- The pane keeps its height in saved layouts, so size it once and it survives reloads.
- Resize the pane by dragging its divider; collapse it from the legend row when you need the space back.
- Use Add to favorites in the legend menu; starred studies surface at the top of the picker.
Watch out for
- It is unbounded and unnormalized, so levels are not comparable across instruments or even across volatility regimes in the same instrument.
- The raw difference is noisy and whipsaws around zero in quiet markets.