Keltner Channel

The Keltner Channel is a moving average band indicator whose upper and lower bands adapt to changes in volatility by using the average true range. The Keltner Channel is used to signal price breakouts, show trend, and give overbought and oversold readings.

There are many variations to calculating the Keltner Channel, but generally speaking a moving average (10 or 20-period) of the typical price [(High + Low + Close)/3] is used to construct the midline. Then the average true range is calculated over a time period (same as midline, 10 or 20-period) and multiplied by a multiple (usually 1.5); the calculated number is then added to the midline to form the upper Keltner Channel and subtracted from the midline to form the lower Keltner Channel.

A chart of gold futures illustrates a Keltner Channel with a 20-day moving average and an average true range multiplier of 1.5:

There are numerous, sometimes contradictory, ways to interpret the Keltner Channel. The first method is price breakouts outside of the Keltner Channel.

Keltner Channel Buy Signal

When price closes above the upper band, buy.

Keltner Channel Sell Signal

When price closes below the lower band, sell.

Keltner Channels are sometimes interpreted the opposite way.

The Keltner Channel breakout methodology works great during the transition from range-bound, trendless markets to uptrends or downtrends. However, during those actual trendless market periods, buying breakouts can be costly. During trendless periods, using the Keltner Channel as an overbought/oversold indicator can prove profitable.

The chart below of the Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQQ) shows an example of a trendless market:

Keltner Channel Oversold Buy Signal

When there is a price breakout below the lower Keltner Channel band, wait until the price closes back inside the Keltner Channel. By waiting for a close back inside the Keltner Channel, a trader usually can avoid getting caught in a true Keltner Channel downside breakout.

Keltner Channel Overbought Sell Signal

With a price breakout above the upper Keltner Channel band, it may be advisable to wait until the price closes back inside the Keltner Channel. When a trader waits for a close back inside the Keltner Channel, that trader can usually avoid large losses by not getting caught in a true Keltner Channel breakout to the upside.

When combined with other technical analysis indicators, Keltner Channels can be a helpful tool in a trader's arsenal.