What Is the Williams Alligator Indicator and How Do You Trade With It?
Hundreds of markets all in one place – hotforex broker review Apple, Bitcoin, Gold, Watches, NFTs, Sneakers and so much more. You can change the Opacity to lighten the lines by sliding the Opacity scale or clicking the minus and plus buttons. Each one is offset forward (into the future) to indicate convergence/divergence relationships. Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar. The indicator was developed by American author Bill Williams, who first wrote about it in 1995. For privacy and data protection related complaints please contact us at Please read our PRIVACY POLICY STATEMENT for more information on handling of personal data.
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Develop a trading plan that incorporates the Alligator Indicator and diligently follow it. There are other terms that traders and investors should know and look out for while using this indicator. Explore our Trade Together program for live streams, expert coaching and much more.
The alligator’s Jaw, Teeth, and Lips offer a structured way to interpret market conditions, allowing for strategic entry and exit points. When used correctly, in tandem with other forms of analysis, the alligator can be a powerful ally in navigating the often unpredictable waters of the financial markets. Just like the metaphorical alligator, successful traders must wait for the right opportunity before striking.
Origin and Concept of the Williams Alligator Indicator
When the three moving averages are closely aligned and moving in the same direction, it indicates a strong trend. Conversely, when the moving averages start to diverge, it signals a potential trend reversal, prompting traders to consider closing or reversing their positions. The Williams Alligator Indicator helps traders stay ahead of market movements. But how do these moving averages work together to provide valuable insights? The Jaw, being the longer-term moving average, helps traders identify the overall trend.
When the Jaw, Teeth, and Lips are tightly intertwined and all moving in the same direction, it indicates a sleeping or consolidating market. Traders should avoid entering trades during these periods as the market lacks clear direction and volatility. The forward shift of these averages is intended to help project future potential price movements, aiding in trend confirmation.
The direction of the cross (upward or downward) indicates whether the potential trend may be bullish or bearish. The default settings of the alligator indicator are great for most trading scenarios. However, if you want something that suits your trading strategy, you might have to do some tweaking yourself to find what works for your system.
- If the lines are shifting towards a more horizontal direction, it may potentially mean that the trend is coming to a close.
- During these times, it serves as a cautionary tool, warning me to stay on the sidelines or to be very selective with trades.
- Finally, the Lips, being the shorter-term moving average, helps traders pinpoint entry and exit points by capturing short-term price movements.
- If the Lips cross upward, it is typically signalling a buying opportunity.
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The absence of a trend
While that trade management strategy is the easiest, it isn’t usually the most practical strategy. Other ways to set your targets include using market structures and price action tools, such as support and resistance levels. You can also rely on indicators, such as the Fibonacci extension and retracement. The alligator’s “sated” sell signal arrives when the lips cross below the teeth, and jaw lines and lines intertwine as the price moves sideways.
The moving averages converge when the market is in a range or consolidation, and Bill recommends staying out of the market during such conditions. When the alligator is sleeping, the mouth is closed, with the lips, teeth, and jaws coming close together. The 5-period moving average is most sensitive to price movements and is the first to move in the new direction of the price, followed by the 8-period, and then, the 13-period. Bill Williams used the different parts of an alligator’s mouth to describe the three moving averages. Additionally, the indicator can help traders identify impulse and corrective waves. However, you only appreciate those better when you combine the indicator with a momentum indicator.
If the trend is already established, you should finesse your market entry using a trading setup that aligns with your preferred trading strategy. During the “awakening” phase, the Lips (green line) crosses the other lines (Teeth and Jaw). This indicates the likelihood that a new trend may be forming; hence, the Alligator is “waking up,” so to speak. For some traders, this crossover may signal a potential entry point; for others, it alerts them that a significant market movement may be underway.
If you are, you may customize the functions of the Jaw, Teeth, and Lips period and offsets. In the chart below, for instance, we’re using the breakout strategy on the EURUSD 4-hour chart. We wait for the candlestick to complete alpari review a breakout of the lip, and we open an appropriate position; hence, a long buying position. Discover the range of markets and learn how they work – with IG Academy’s online course. To remove the indicator from your chart, right click on it and select ‘delete indicator’ in the pop-up window.
It’s a tool that provides a unique perspective on market trends, blending simplicity with depth. No matter how confident I am in the signals provided by the alligator, I never risk more than a small percentage of my trading capital on any single trade. This ensures that even if the market moves against me, my trading career can continue unimpeded. The Alligator Indicator is a visual representation of market psychology, embodying the ebbs and flows of supply and demand. It encourages traders to be patient, waiting for the right moment to enter trades, much like an alligator waits for its prey.
