Fibonacci Time Zones

What Are Fibonacci Time Zones?

Fibonacci time zones are a technical indicator based on time. The indicator is typically started at a major swing high or swing low on the chart. Vertical lines then extend out to the right, indicating areas of time that could result in another significant swing high, low, or reversal. These vertical lines, which correspond to time on the x-axis of a price chart, are based on Fibonacci numbers.

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How Fibonacci Time Zones Work

Fibonacci time zones don't require a formula, but it does help to understand Fibonacci numbers. In the Fibonacci number sequence, each successive number is the sum of the last two numbers. The sequence starts like this: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, and so on.

Fibonacci times zones are these numbers when added to the initial time selected. Thus, if we choose a start date of April 1, this would be time (0). The first Fibonacci time zone vertical line will then appear on the next trading session (1), the second will appear two sessions later (2), and then three (3), five (5), and eight (8) days later, and so on.

If adding Fibonacci time zones by hand, the first five numbers can be avoided, as the indicator is not particularly reliable when all the vertical lines are packed together. Therefore, some traders start drawing their vertical lines 13 or 21 periods after their starting point.

Some charting platforms allow you to choose your starting point (0) and your first point (1). This means you can choose how much time (1) represents. The next numbers in the sequence will correspond to the amount of time chosen.

What Do Fibonacci Time Zones Tell You?

Identifying a starting point is an important but subjective element of using Fibonacci time zones. The date or period selected should be a relatively important one, marking a high or low point. When the indicator is applied to this date or period, vertical lines will appear to the right of the starting point. The first line will appear one period after the starting point, the next will appear two periods after, and so on.

As indicated above, typically the first few zones are ignored, as they cluster around the starting point. The vertical lines that are 13 or more periods away from the starting point tend to be more reliable.

Fibonacci time zones are essentially telling us that after a high or low, another high or low could occur 13, 21, 55, 89, 144, 233... periods after the initial point.

Time zones aren't concerned with price, only time. Therefore, the time zones may mark small high or lows, or they may mark significant ones. The price may also completely ignore the time zones. If this occurs multiple times, the price isn't adhering to the Fibonacci time zones so a different starting point may provide better results. It is also possible Fibonacci time zones aren't particularly applicable to a certain security or asset.

Fibonacci time zones can be used for confirmation of trades or analysis. For example, if the price is approaching a support area and also a Fibonacci time zone, and the price then rises off support, the two methods confirm each other. A low point is potentially in and the price could keep rising. Another form of analysis is required for assessing how high the price may rise, as Fibonacci time zones don't indicate the magnitude of moves. The price may make a low and then rise significantly, or it may only temporarily rise before falling to a new low.

Fibonacci Time Zones vs. Fibonacci Retracements

Fibonacci time zones are vertical lines that represent future time periods where the price could make a high, low, or reverse course.

Fibonacci retracements instead indicate areas the price could pull back off of a high or low. Retracements are price-based and provide support or resistance areas based on Fibonacci numbers.

Limitation of Using Fibonacci Time Zones

Fibonacci time zones are a subjective indicator in that the starting point selected will vary by trader. Also, since some charting platforms allow the trader to choose how much time (1) represents, this further adds to the subjectivity and may eliminate the usefulness of the indicator altogether.

The indicator, if properly set, may indicate areas of time where the price could put in a high or low, yet these may be minor highs or lows, or major ones. Time zones don't provide any information on the magnitude of price moves. They also rarely pinpoint the exact turning point date. This makes it hard to determine if the indicator is actually predictive or just randomly happens to appear near some reversal points.

The indicator shouldn't be used on its own. Combine it with trend and price action analysis, as well as other technical indicators and/or fundamental analysis.