Moving Average Calculator
Calculate SMA, EMA, and WMA to identify trends and crossover signals.
MA Settings
MA Analysis
Perfect bullish alignment: Price > MA9 > MA20 > MA50
- Price trading above all MAs suggests strong bullish trend
- MA9/MA20 crossover provides short-term signals
- MA50/MA200 crossover (golden/death cross) indicates major trend change
Understanding Moving Averages
Simple MA (SMA)
Calculates the arithmetic mean of prices over a period. All prices weighted equally. Good for identifying long-term trends and support/resistance.
Exponential MA (EMA)
Gives more weight to recent prices, making it more responsive to new information. Better for short-term trading and fast-moving markets.
Weighted MA (WMA)
Assigns linearly increasing weights to recent prices. Falls between SMA and EMA in responsiveness. Less common but useful for certain strategies.
🔧 Popular MA Combinations
Scalping (M5-M15)
EMA 9, EMA 21
Fast crossovers for quick trades. Use with momentum confirmation.
Day Trading (M15-H1)
EMA 9, EMA 20, SMA 50
Balance of speed and reliability. Great for intraday trends.
Swing Trading (H4-D1)
SMA 20, SMA 50, SMA 200
Classic combination for multi-day trades. Clear trend identification.
Position Trading (D1-W1)
SMA 50, SMA 200
Golden/Death Cross strategy. Long-term trend following.
📐 MA Calculation Formulas
SMA
SMA = (P1 + P2 + ... + Pn) / n EMA
EMA = Price × k + EMA(prev) × (1-k) where k = 2 / (n + 1) WMA
WMA = (P1×n + P2×(n-1) + ...) / (n×(n+1)/2) Frequently Asked Questions
What is a moving average in forex trading?
A moving average (MA) is a technical indicator that smooths price data by calculating the average price over a specific period. Our moving average calculator helps you compute SMA, EMA, and WMA values for trend analysis and trading signals.
How do I calculate moving average?
SMA = Sum of prices / Number of periods. EMA = Price × k + Previous EMA × (1-k), where k = 2/(n+1). WMA uses weighted sums. Our moving average calculator computes all three types instantly from your price data.
Should I use SMA or EMA for forex?
It depends on your trading style. EMA reacts faster to price changes, better for short-term trading. SMA is smoother and better for identifying long-term trends. Many traders use both - EMA for entries and SMA for overall trend direction.
What's a Golden Cross and Death Cross?
Golden Cross: When 50-period MA crosses above 200-period MA - bullish signal. Death Cross: When 50-period MA crosses below 200-period MA - bearish signal. These are major trend-change indicators used by institutional traders. Our moving average calculator identifies these crossovers.
How do I trade moving average crossovers?
Wait for the faster MA to cross the slower MA. Buy when fast crosses above slow (bullish), sell when fast crosses below (bearish). Confirm with volume and other indicators. Avoid in ranging markets - crossovers work best in trending conditions.
Why does price often bounce off moving averages?
MAs act as dynamic support/resistance because many traders watch them. When price approaches a popular MA (like 200 SMA), orders cluster there. This self-fulfilling prophecy makes MAs important psychological levels.
What period moving average should I use?
Match MA period to your timeframe. Short-term (9-20) for scalping/day trading, medium (50) for swing trading, long-term (100-200) for position trading. The 200 SMA/EMA is universally watched across all timeframes.
What is the difference between SMA, EMA, and WMA?
SMA weights all prices equally. EMA gives more weight to recent prices using an exponential multiplier. WMA uses linear weights. EMA is most popular for trading as it responds faster to price changes while still smoothing noise.
How do I use moving averages for support and resistance?
Popular MAs like 20, 50, and 200 periods act as dynamic support (in uptrends) or resistance (in downtrends). When price pulls back to these MAs, traders look for bounces to enter with the trend. Our moving average calculator shows these key levels.
Can I use moving averages on any timeframe?
Yes! Moving averages work on all timeframes from 1-minute charts to monthly charts. The same MA settings (like 50/200) can be applied to any timeframe. Use our moving average calculator to analyze any timeframe's price data.