Know Sure Thing (KST): Formula, Settings, and Signal Limits
Know Sure Thing (KST), developed by Martin Pring, combines four smoothed rate-of-change measurements into one momentum oscillator. Its standard calculation uses several lookback lengths on the same chart series; that does not make it a multi-timeframe data request.
Formula and default settings
TradingView's KST reference documents the standard construction. Each ROC measures percentage price change over its lookback, then an SMA smooths it:
| ROC lookback | SMA smoothing | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 10 bars | 10 bars | 1 |
| 15 bars | 10 bars | 2 |
| 20 bars | 10 bars | 3 |
| 30 bars | 15 bars | 4 |
KST is the weighted sum of the four smoothed values. Its signal line is a nine-bar SMA of KST. On an hourly chart these are hourly-bar lookbacks; on a daily chart they are daily-bar lookbacks. Requesting a separate daily series from an hourly chart is an additional implementation choice.
What the lines tell you
KST above zero means the weighted composite is positive. It does not require every individual ROC to be positive. A cross above the signal line means KST has overtaken its recent smoothed value, which can happen below zero while the broader composite remains negative.
A bullish divergence compares a lower price swing with a higher oscillator swing; bearish divergence reverses that relationship. Define swing confirmation before using it as a trading rule. A confirmed pivot may be identified only after later bars arrive.
Adjust one setting family at a time
Shorter lookbacks and less smoothing generally make the series more reactive. Longer windows smooth changes but can delay them. Neither establishes a universally better day-trading or position-trading setup.
Keep the original defaults as a baseline. Record a candidate setting, entry timing, exit rule, fees, and slippage before evaluation. Compare it on a different time period and retain losing signals in the record. The earlier claimed 30% reduction in false crosses and NVDA 7% example are not reproducible evidence.
Adding MACD or RSI supplies another transformation of related price data, not independent proof of higher win probability. Measure whether a filter improves the chosen objective after accounting for fewer trades and parameter selection.
Use KST in Pineify
Pineify's registered KST configuration exposes the ROC lengths, smoothing lengths, and signal length. Select KST in the visual editor, inspect those parameters, generate the script, and check its plotted outputs in TradingView.
Combining several calculations into one script can change how many script instances you add to a chart. It does not remove TradingView's plan limits or Pine's execution, plotting, and resource restrictions. A plotted crossover also does not create an order unless you implement a strategy or an execution workflow.
