What is the Inside Bar Indicator?
The Inside Bar is a popular candlestick pattern used in Forex trading to indicate indecision or consolidation in the market. It is formed when the high and low of a price bar is completely within the high and low of the previous bar. This pattern can be used to identify key levels of support and resistance for a currency pair, and can also be used as a potential signal for a future price breakout.
In order to identify an Inside Bar, traders must first identify the previous bar, or “mother bar,” which is typically the largest and most significant bar on the chart. The inside bar will then form within the range of this mother bar, with the high and low of the inside bar being completely contained within the high and low of the mother bar.
Buy Signal

- A buy signal using an inside bar indicator is generated when the current bar has a high and a low that are both higher than the high and low of the preceding bar.
- This indicates a potential buying opportunity as the market is showing consolidation and a possible reversal of the trend.
- Traders will typically look for confirmation of a buy signal by looking for bullish signals such as bullish divergence or bullish price action on the following bar.
- It’s important to note that inside bars can also occur in a downtrend and it’s important to understand the context of the market and trend before taking any action.
- It’s also important to pay attention to where the inside bar is forming, such as at key support or resistance levels, or in a particular pattern such as a flag or a triangle pattern.
- Traders may also want to use a stop loss order to manage risk in case the signal is false or the market goes against the trade.
Sell Signal

- A sell signal using an inside bar indicator is generated when the current bar has a high and a low that are both lower than the high and low of the preceding bar.
- This indicates a potential selling opportunity as the market is showing consolidation and a possible reversal of the trend.
- Traders will typically look for confirmation of a sell signal by looking for bearish signals such as bearish divergence or bearish price action on the following bar.
- It’s important to note that inside bars can also occur in an uptrend and it’s important to understand the context of the market and trend before taking any action.
- It’s also important to pay attention to where the inside bar is forming, such as at key support or resistance levels, or in a particular pattern such as a flag or a triangle pattern.
- Traders may also want to use a stop loss order to manage risk in case the signal is false or the market goes against the trade.
- Some traders also use the inside bar pattern as a continuation pattern, meaning that the inside bar pattern is indicating that the current trend is likely to continue, when it happens in the direction of the trend, traders will look for a breakout of the mother bar’s high or low to confirm the continuation of the trend.
Inside Bar Indicator Pros & Cons
Pros
- Inside bars can indicate consolidation or a potential reversal of trend.
- They can be used to identify potential entry and exit points.
- They can be used to confirm signals from other indicators or chart patterns.
- They can be used in both trending and ranging markets.
- They are relatively simple to identify and easy to use.
Cons
- They may generate false signals, especially in choppy markets.
- They may not work as well in markets with wide-ranging bars.
- They may not be as effective in certain markets or timeframes.
- They may produce conflicting signals with other indicators.
- They require a good understanding of price action and candle patterns.
- They may not be useful in markets with low volume or volatility.
- They may not provide enough information to make trading decisions alone, traders should use them in conjunction with other indicators or analysis techniques.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the inside bar indicator is a useful tool that can help traders identify potential changes in market trend by identifying consolidation or potential reversals. When used in conjunction with other indicators and analysis techniques, it can provide valuable information for making trading decisions. However, it’s important to understand that the inside bar indicator is not a standalone tool and should be used in conjunction with other indicators and analysis techniques. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of the indicator, such as the potential for false signals in choppy markets and the need to consider the overall market conditions before making trading decisions. Overall, the inside bar indicator is a valuable tool for traders, but it should be used with caution and in combination with other analysis techniques.


Self-confessed Forex Geek spending my days researching and testing everything forex related. I have many years of experience in the forex industry having reviewed thousands of forex robots, brokers, strategies, courses and more. I share my knowledge with you for free to help you learn more about the crazy world of forex trading! Read more about me.