What is a Point and Figure Chart?
A Point and Figure (P&F) chart is one of the oldest and most respected charting methods in technical analysis, dating back to the late 1800s. Unlike traditional candlestick or bar charts that plot price against time, P&F charts focus exclusively on price movements, filtering out the noise of time and minor fluctuations to reveal the underlying supply and demand dynamics.
The chart consists of columns of X's (representing rising prices) and O's (representing falling prices). A new X is added when price rises by the "box size" amount, and a new O is added when price falls by the same amount. The chart only switches from X's to O's (or vice versa) when price reverses by a minimum number of boxes, typically three. This filtering mechanism removes minor pullbacks and highlights only significant trend changes.
How to Use This Point and Figure Chart Tool
- 1
Prepare Your Price Data
Export historical price data from your broker or trading platform in CSV format. The file should contain columns for date, high, low, and close prices. You can download our sample CSV to see the exact format required.
- 2
Set Your Box Size
Choose a box size that matches your trading timeframe and the stock's volatility. For stocks trading around $100, a $1 box size is common. For higher-priced stocks, use larger boxes. Smaller boxes show more detail but more noise.
- 3
Configure Reversal Amount
The standard reversal is 3 boxes, meaning price must move 3 boxes in the opposite direction to start a new column. Use 1-box reversal for more sensitive charts or 5-box for longer-term analysis.
- 4
Upload and Analyze
Upload your CSV file and the tool will automatically generate the P&F chart. Review the X and O columns to identify trends, and check the detected patterns for potential trading signals.
- 5
Identify Trading Signals
Look for classic P&F patterns like double tops (bullish breakout), double bottoms (bearish breakdown), triple tops/bottoms, and trend lines. The pattern detector highlights these automatically.
Why Use Point and Figure Charts?
Filters Market Noise
By ignoring time and minor price movements, P&F charts reveal the true supply and demand picture without distractions.
Clear Trend Identification
Columns of X's show uptrends, columns of O's show downtrends. No ambiguity about the current market direction.
Objective Price Targets
P&F patterns have built-in price target calculations based on the chart structure, removing guesswork from trading.
Classic Patterns
Double tops, triple bottoms, triangles, and catapults are easy to spot and have well-defined trading rules.
Complete Privacy
All chart generation happens in your browser. Your price data never leaves your device or gets sent to any server.
100% Free Forever
No hidden fees, no subscriptions, no registration required. Use it as much as you want, completely free.
Common Point and Figure Patterns
| Pattern | Signal | Description | Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Top | Bullish | X column breaks above previous X column high | Breakout level + column height |
| Double Bottom | Bearish | O column breaks below previous O column low | Breakdown level - column height |
| Triple Top | Strong Bullish | X column breaks above two previous equal highs | Breakout level + (boxes × reversal) |
| Triple Bottom | Strong Bearish | O column breaks below two previous equal lows | Breakdown level - (boxes × reversal) |
| Ascending Triple Top | Bullish | Series of higher highs with breakout | Measured move from pattern base |
Choosing the Right Box Size
Selecting the appropriate box size is crucial for effective P&F analysis. The box size should be proportional to the stock's price and your trading timeframe. Here are some general guidelines:
| Stock Price Range | Suggested Box Size | 3-Box Reversal |
|---|---|---|
| $5 - $20 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.75 - $1.50 |
| $20 - $50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $1.50 - $3.00 |
| $50 - $100 | $1.00 - $2.00 | $3.00 - $6.00 |
| $100 - $200 | $2.00 - $5.00 | $6.00 - $15.00 |
| $200+ | $5.00 - $10.00 | $15.00 - $30.00 |