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Supertrend Indicator - Formula, Settings, PDF, Strategy for Scalping, and Intraday Trading

Updated: Oct 22, 2022

The super trend indicator was developed by Olivier Seban, and it has become a popular tool for traders in recent years. It can be used to scalp the markets or trade them intraday.


It is simple to use and provides visual signals to help you confidently enter and exit trades. This blog post will explore using the super trend indicator in scalping and intraday trading.


We will also examine some of the pros and cons of using this indicator. Finally, we will provide some tips for traders who want to use the super trend indicator in their trading strategies.


supertrend indicator formula, strategy in scalping & day trading for beginners

Content

What is Supertrend Indicator?

Supertrend Indicator Formula

Supertrend Indicator Settings

Supertrend Strategy for Intraday Trading

Supertrend Strategy for Scalping

Conclusion



What is Supertrend Indicator?

Supertrend is a trend following indicator quite similar to Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) or Moving Averages (MA). However, with a simple commonsense, we can also use it in a range-bound market.


Image 1 - Trend Identification Through Supertrend
Image 1 - Trend Identification Through Supertrend

It is directly plotted on the price chart, and the color of the supertrend indicator indicates the ongoing trend in a particular scrip.


If the color of the supertrend is green and the price is above the supertrend indicator, then it denotes an uptrend.


Similarly, if the color of the supertrend is red and the price is below the supertrend indicator, then it denotes a downtrend.



Supertrend Indicator Formula

Average True Range (ATR) plays a crucial role in arriving at supertrend values:


The supertrend indicator calculation is shown below

Supertrend Upperband = (high + low) / 2 + multiplier x ATR

Supertrend Lowerband = (high + low) / 2 – multiplier x ATR


Calculation of Average True Range – [(Prior ATR x 13) + Current TR] / 14


Here, 14 indicates a time period. Hence, the ATR is calculated by multiplying the previous ATR with 13. Add the latest TR and divide it by time period.


Supertrend Indicator Settings

Supertrend is plotted using two parameters:

  • ATR Length (default value is 10) and

  • Factor (default value is 3)

Image 2 - Supertrend parameters Settings
Image 2 - Supertrend parameters

Traders can change these default parameters. However, it also changes the way of plotting the supertrend values. It is sensible to use the default parameters unless you know what you are doing with the changes.



Supertrend Indicator Strategy for Intraday Trading

Super Trend works beautifully in trending markets. However, it is risky to plan a long trade whenever the indicator turns green or a short trade whenever the indicator turns red.


Image 3 - Supertrend Indicator change in Color in Volatile Markets conditions
Image 3 - Supertrend Indicator change in Color

Because in intraday trading, markets are often volatile, it can change the color (red to green and vice-versa) quite frequently. Hence it is better to wait for the next pullback for long trade (or bounce for a short trade). Image 3 shows the example of supertrend behavior in volatile market conditions.


Image 4 - Trading Strategy in Uptrend
Image 4 - Trading Strategy in Uptrend

Any market will not move in a straight line. It gives small pullbacks (due to profit booking), gathers energy, and then it moves upside. We can use the same logic for intraday trading using the supertrend indicator.


Image 5 - Supertrend intraday trading strategy in Banknifty
Image 5 - Supertrend intraday trading strategy in Banknifty

Image 5 shows a long trade example in intraday trading.


It is a Banknifty 15-min chart (because 15-min is the ideal timeframe for intraday trading in India).


Supertrend displayed green which indicates the beginning of the uptrend in 15-min timeframe. We should not look for a long trade here as it can be risky.


But later, it gives the pullback near supertrend indicator, which is the right opportunity to take a long trade.


Traders can also use powerful candlestick patterns such as bullish engulfing, hammer, etc to confirm the proper entry.