Pivot Points Calculator

How to Use the Pivot Points Calculator

All you need are three figures from the last trading session:

1. Enter the High Price from the previous trading day.
2. Enter the Low Price from the previous trading day.
3. Enter the Close Price from the previous trading day.
4. Optionally adjust the decimal places for your preferred precision (default is 2).
5. Click Calculate Pivot Points and switch between Classic, Woodie's, and Camarilla tabs to compare results.

What Are Pivot Points?

The Pivot Point is a key level where markets tend to stabilize, reverse, or accelerate. It is calculated from the previous period's high, low, and close prices. Because so many traders use pivot points to plan their trades, these levels become psychologically significant and often act as self-fulfilling prophecies.

If the market is falling, the Pivot Point is where it may stabilize or rebound. If the market is rising, the Pivot Point is where it may stall or pull back. Monitoring pivot points over time reveals how frequently they serve as turning points.

Pivot Points Formulas

Classic Pivot Points

• Pivot Point (PP) = (H + L + C) / 3
• R1 = (2 × PP) − L
• R2 = PP + (H − L)
• R3 = H + 2 × (PP − L)
• S1 = (2 × PP) − H
• S2 = PP − (H − L)
• S3 = L − 2 × (H − PP)

Woodie's Pivot Points

• Pivot Point (PP) = (H + L + 2 × C) / 4
• R1 = (2 × PP) − L
• R2 = PP + (H − L)
• S1 = (2 × PP) − H
• S2 = PP − (H − L)

Camarilla Pivot Points

• R1 = C + (H − L) × 1.1 / 12
• R2 = C + (H − L) × 1.1 / 6
• R3 = C + (H − L) × 1.1 / 4
• R4 = C + (H − L) × 1.1 / 2
• S1 = C − (H − L) × 1.1 / 12
• S2 = C − (H − L) × 1.1 / 6
• S3 = C − (H − L) × 1.1 / 4
• S4 = C − (H − L) × 1.1 / 2

Understanding the Three Methods

Classic (Floor) Pivot Points

The most widely used method. It calculates the pivot point as the simple average of high, low, and close, then derives three resistance and three support levels. Classic pivots are referenced by institutional traders and market makers worldwide.

Woodie's Pivot Points

Woodie's method gives double weight to the closing price, making the pivot point more responsive to the most recent price action. This is popular among day traders who believe the close is the most important price of the session.

Camarilla Pivot Points

Developed by Nick Scott in 1989, Camarilla pivots use multipliers of the previous range applied to the closing price. This produces tighter levels (4 resistance, 4 support) that are well-suited for intraday mean-reversion strategies. R3/S3 are reversal zones, while R4/S4 signal breakouts.

Why Pivot Points Matter

• Objective Levels: Unlike subjective trendlines, pivot points use fixed math that many participants watch simultaneously.
• Trend Filter: Price above PP suggests bullish bias; below PP suggests bearish bias.
• Trade Planning: Use R1/R2/R3 as profit targets for longs and S1/S2/S3 as targets for shorts.
• Works Across Markets: Applicable to stocks, forex, crypto, commodities, and indices.

Frequently Asked Questions