Formula
Tenkan = (highest H + lowest L) / 2 over 9 bars
Kijun = (highest H + lowest L) / 2 over 26 bars
Senkou A = (Tenkan + Kijun) / 2, displayed 26 bars ahead
Senkou B = (highest H + lowest L) / 2 over 52 bars, displayed 26 bars ahead
Chikou = C, displayed 26 bars backHow TraderAI calculates it
TraderAI uses the classic 9, 26 and 52 lengths with a 26-bar display shift. Tenkan and Kijun are the 9-bar and 26-bar high-low midpoints. Senkou A is their average and Senkou B is the 52-bar midpoint; both are calculated on the current bar and displayed 26 bars ahead. Chikou is the close displayed 26 bars back. The shift only moves where a value is drawn; it never uses future prices.
Live example
How traders read it
Price above the cloud is usually read as an uptrend, below the cloud as a downtrend, and inside the cloud as no clear trend.
Tenkan crossing above or below Kijun is read as a shift in short-term momentum, and is given more weight when it agrees with the side of the cloud.
Traders treat a thick cloud as a stronger support or resistance area than a thin one.
Limitations
- With five lines and a shifted cloud it is easy to over-read the chart; Ichimoku works best as context, not as a single trigger.
- The 9, 26 and 52 lengths come from a six-day trading week and are a convention, not an optimum for every market or timeframe.
Settings and defaults
| Setting | Default | Allowed range |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion length | 9 | 1 to 500 |
| Base length | 26 | 1 to 500 |
| Span B length | 52 | 1 to 500 |
| Display shift in bars | 26 | 0 to 500 |
What it plots
Drawn on the price chart, on the same scale as the candles.
| Line | Unit | Drawn as | First value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion | Price | Line | after 9 candles |
| Base | Price | Line | after 26 candles |
| Leading span A | Price | Line | after 26 candles |
| Leading span B | Price | Line | after 52 candles |
| Chikou | Price | Line | after 1 candles |
Questions
What is Ichimoku?
Ichimoku Kinko Hyo is a set of five lines that describe trend, momentum and possible support and resistance in one view. The area between Senkou A and Senkou B is shaded as the cloud. Most lines are midpoints of the highest high and lowest low over a lookback, so they react to the range rather than to a single price.
How does TraderAI calculate Ichimoku?
TraderAI uses the classic 9, 26 and 52 lengths with a 26-bar display shift. Tenkan and Kijun are the 9-bar and 26-bar high-low midpoints. Senkou A is their average and Senkou B is the 52-bar midpoint; both are calculated on the current bar and displayed 26 bars ahead. Chikou is the close displayed 26 bars back. The shift only moves where a value is drawn; it never uses future prices.
What are the default settings of Ichimoku?
The defaults are Conversion length: 9, Base length: 26, Span B length: 52, Display shift in bars: 26. You can change every setting on the live chart.
Can I use Ichimoku for free on TraderAI?
Yes. Every indicator in the library can be added to the free live chart. The free plan keeps up to 2 indicators active at the same time; Pro lets you combine more on one chart.
Educational content. Indicators describe past prices; they do not predict future prices and are not investment advice.