Ascending Triangle
A triangle pattern formed by a flat resistance line and a series of rising lows. Price meets sellers at the same level each time, while buyers step in earlier on every pullback. It is most often read as a continuation pattern within an uptrend, and it completes with a close above the flat line.
How it forms
- Prior move. The pattern is most often seen as a pause within an uptrend. Less often, it forms at the end of a decline, where it is read as a reversal pattern.
- Flat resistance. Price peaks at roughly the same level at least twice and pulls back. The peaks sit within about 1% of each other. The line joining them is horizontal.
- Rising lows. Each pullback ends at a higher low than the one before. Joining at least two lows gives an upward-sloping support line.
- Narrowing. The two lines converge to the right. At least four touches in total (two on each line) are needed; five or more make the pattern clearer. Volume often falls during this phase.
- Breakout zone. The break usually comes before the apex where the lines meet, roughly in the last third of the triangle. If price drifts all the way into the apex, the pattern starts to lose meaning.
- Completion. The pattern is complete when price closes above the flat resistance. A wick above the line that closes back below it is not a breakout.
The thresholds here are approximate values commonly used in textbooks, not strict rules.
What it suggests
The flat line shows sellers stopping price at the same level again and again. The rising lows suggest buyers are stepping in higher each time. Price is squeezed between the two. Selling at the flat level may be running out a little more with each test.
A breakout is read as sellers no longer being able to defend that level. Before completion, though, the direction is not settled. If price breaks below the rising support line, the picture changes completely.
When it strengthens, when it weakens
Strengthens
- A clear uptrend before the pattern
- The flat line lining up with a resistance zone
- More than two touches on each line
- Volume falling during the pattern and rising at the break
- The break coming in the last third, before the apex
Weakens
- Few touches, or peaks that are not at the same level
- The break coming on low volume
- Price drifting all the way into the apex
- A strong resistance zone just above the flat line
- False breakouts, where a wick crosses the line but the close stays below
The MarketLevelMap view
How it relates to zones
The flat side of an ascending triangle is often a resistance zone on the map itself:
- If the flat line lines up with a resistance zone, price can be seen testing that zone again and again. Sellers in the zone may be thinning out with each test. A break then means clearing a zone, not just a line.
- If the rising lows stay above a support zone, it suggests buyers are stepping in without waiting for price to reach that zone.
- If a resistance zone sits just above the break, there is an area where price may stall again soon. It is a more realistic reference than the measured move.
After the break, price sometimes returns to retest the flat line from above. If the line lines up with a resistance zone, that zone may now act as support. If price holds inside the zone on the retest and does not close below it, the break is considered more solid.
If the flat line does not match any zone on the map, the pattern still stands, but the break may carry less weight.
When it completes
Close above the flat resistance.
When it is invalidated
Before completion: If price closes below the rising support line before breaking the flat line, the series of rising lows is broken and the pattern is considered not to have formed.
After completion: Even after a close above the flat line, if price falls back into the triangle and closes below the last rising low, the bullish scenario is considered invalid. False breakouts like this sometimes lead to sharp moves down.
Often confused with
- Symmetrical TriangleThe upper line is not flat: lower highs and higher lows converge.
- RectangleThe lows do not rise: price moves between two flat lines.
- Rising WedgeBoth lines slope upwards, and it is usually read as bearish.
For general information only. Not investment advice.Last updated: