01 · Indicator · OBV
What is OBV (On-Balance Volume)?
Popularised by Joseph Granville in 1963, OBV adds the volume of up sessions and subtracts that of down sessions.
Granville summed it up: volume precedes price.
02 · Indicator · OBV
The calculation
If the close rises: OBV = previous OBV + volume. If it falls: OBV − volume. Otherwise unchanged.
Only the slope matters, not the absolute value.
03 · Indicator · OBV
Reading the signals
OBV rising while price stalls suggests accumulation.
An OBV/price divergence warns of a fragile move.
04 · Indicator · OBV
Settings and combinations
OBV is in the Volume group. It pairs well with: Chaikin Money Flow (CMF), MFI (Money Flow Index), Volume Oscillator.
To put the signal in context, check the Heatmap, the news or ask the AI Compass. No indicator is investment advice.
◆ Step by step
Get started in 4 steps
- 01
Open a chart
Search for an asset on the Charts page and pick a timeframe.
- 02
Add the indicator
Open Indicators, Volume group, then click OBV.
- 03
Adjust the settings
Change the parameters in the indicator sheet to suit your horizon.
- 04
Confirm the signal
Cross-check with the main trend and another indicator before concluding.
◆ FAQ
Your questions, clear answers.
01Does the OBV value mean anything?
No, only its direction is useful.
02What is accumulation?
A rising OBV while price stays flat.
03Does it work in crypto?
Yes, using the volume of the displayed exchange.