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This article covers 45 trading chart patterns that help traders identify trend reversals and continuations across markets like stocks, forex, and crypto. You’ll learn how to spot these patterns quickly and use them to anticipate the next price move in 2026.
Chart patterns visually represent price movements, helping traders understand and analyze market trends. By learning the most common trading chart patterns, you can make more informed trading decisions.
A chart pattern is a distinct formation on a price chart that signals potential future price movements. Think of it as a roadmap that shows where a market may be headed based on past behavior.
Let’s explore the 45 most powerful chart patterns that traders should know in 2026.
The main purpose of trading chart patterns is to identify if a trend will continue or reverse, helping you make informed decisions.
Always wait for a confirmed price breakout before trusting any chart pattern; this is the most crucial rule to avoid false signals.
For a reliable signal, a breakout from a chart pattern must be supported by a significant surge in trading volume.
Chart patterns are formations created by price movements on a trading chart and can appear across markets such as Forex, Crypto, and Stocks.
These chart patterns are important tools in technical analysis because they help traders predict future price movements based on historical price action.
You can follow a simple step-by-step process below to help you read a chart pattern:
You need to check whether the market is going up, down, or sideways.
Uptrend means buyers are in control.
Downtrend means sellers are dominant.
The patterns are usually hidden behind shapes like flags, triangles, or head-and-shoulders.
The patterns can signal either a continuous or a reversal.
The support level shows where buyers often step in.
The resistance level shows where sellers often take profits.
Below is a curated list of the top 45 chart patterns, essential for both beginner and advanced traders to learn in 2026.
Pattern Name
Reliability (1–10)
Signal Type
Best Timeframe
Confirmation Needed
Risk Level
Ascending Triangle Chart Pattern
8/10
Continuation (Bullish)
4H-Daily
Yes
Medium
Descending Triangle Chart Pattern
Continuation (Bearish)
Symmetrical Triangle Chart Pattern
7/10
Bilateral
1H-Daily
Pennant Chart Pattern
9/10
Continuation
1H-4H
Low
Bullish Flag Chart Pattern
Bearish Flag Chart Pattern
Rising Wedge Chart Pattern
Reversal (Bearish)
Falling Wedge Chart Pattern
Reversal (Bullish)
Double Bottom Chart Pattern
4H-Weekly
Yesneckline
Double Top Chart Pattern
Head and Shoulders Chart Pattern
10/10
Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern
Rounding Top Chart Pattern
Daily-Weekly
Rounding Bottom Chart Pattern
Cup and Handle Chart Pattern
Bump and Run Chart Pattern
Reversal
Price Channel Chart Pattern
Optional
Triple Top Chart Pattern
Triple Bottom Chart Pattern
Diamond Top Chart Pattern
Diamond Bottom Chart Pattern
Channel Chart Patterns
No
Gaps Chart Patterns
Continuation/Reversal
All
High
Bullish Rectangle Chart Pattern
Bearish Rectangle Chart Pattern
Pipe Top Chart Pattern
6/10
Pipe Bottom Chart Pattern
Spikes Stock Chart Pattern
5/10
Reversal/Continuation
Intraday
Very High
Ascending Staircase Chart Pattern
Descending Staircase Chart Pattern
Megaphone Stock Chart Pattern
Bilateral/Reversal
V Chart Pattern
Harmonic Chart Pattern
Elliott Wave Chart Pattern
Cyclical/Continuation
Three Drives Chart Pattern
Reversal (Harmonic)
Quasimodo Chart Pattern
Dead Cat Bounce Chart Pattern
Island Reversal Chart Pattern
Tower Top Chart Pattern
Tower Bottom Chart Pattern
Shakeout Chart Pattern
Broadening Wedge Pattern (Expanding Triangle)
Parabolic Curve Pattern
Bullish Wolfe Wave
Bearish Wolfe
An ascending triangle pattern is a bullish continuation pattern, it shows characterized by a horizontal resistance line and a rising support line.
This chart pattern indicates buyers are becoming more aggressive, pushing the price higher and eventually breaking through the resistance level.
Key Insight: The breakout will happen to an uptrend when the resistance and support levels have been retested many times
A descending triangle pattern is a bearish continuation pattern with a horizontal support line and a falling resistance line.
This pattern suggests that sellers are becoming more aggressive, pushing the price lower and eventually breaking through the support level.
Key Insight: The breakout of this chart pattern happens in a downtrend when the resistance and support levels have been retested many times
A symmetrical triangle can signal either a continuation or a reversal, with converging trend lines indicating a period of consolidation.
The chart pattern forms when the price makes lower highs and higher lows, converging towards a point. The breakout direction from the triangle determines whether the trend will continue or reverse, often accompanied by a surge in volume.
Key Insight: The price range gets narrower, making higher lows and lower highs, and signaling a breakout.
Pennant patterns are short-term continuation stock chart patterns that resemble small symmetrical triangles.
They form after a strong price movement, known as the flagpole, and indicate a brief consolidation period before the trend resumes. Pennants are characterized by converging trend lines and typically result in a breakout in the direction of the prior trend.
Key Insight: The pattern forms during price consolidation and narrows until it breaks out and continues the trend.
A bullish flag pattern signals the continuation of the trend. The characteristic looks like a flag, usually appearing in an uptrend when the price is slowing down and consolidating before rising up again.
You need to look for the breakout near resistance levels and be careful when identifying the bullish flag chart pattern. This shows that some buyers are selling to make a profit, and then the buyers come back to control the market again.
Key Insight: The price has formed a flag pattern, and the breakout continues the uptrend.
A bearish flag pattern that forms during a downtrend signals a continuation of the bearish trend. The price is going down, then back up a little, forming a consolidation, then breaks through the support levels and continues in the same direction.
This shows the sellers got panicked and are selling off most of it. The buyers see this as a chance to buy and push the price up, but still not enough. So the sellers come to the market and control it, causing prices to drop again.
Key Insight: The price has formed a flag pattern, and the breakout continues the downtrend.
Wedge patterns are sloping stock chart patterns that signal a continuation or a reversal. A rising wedge typically indicates a bearish reversal. The wedge's converging trend lines show a slowdown in momentum, and the breakout direction indicates a trend change.
Key Insight: The price continues going up, but the momentum is lower. So, it broke out to the downtrend.
The falling wedge pattern is a bullish reversal pattern that signals a downtrend's end and an uptrend's beginning.
The pattern forms when the price makes lower highs and lower lows within converging trend lines. The breakout above the upper trend line indicates that the bearish momentum is slowing down, and a bullish reversal is likely.
Key Insight: The price continues going down, but the momentum is lower. So, it broke out into the uptrend.
A double bottom pattern is a bullish reversal pattern resembling the letter "W." It forms when the price hits a support level twice, with a moderate pullback in between.
The pattern indicates that the downtrend is reversing, and an uptrend is likely. The breakout above the resistance level formed by the intermediate peak confirms the reversal.
Key Insight: The price comes back down to the support level twice, then rebounds up.
A double top pattern is a bearish reversal pattern shaped like the letter "M." It forms when the price hits a resistance level twice, with a moderate decline in between.
This pattern signals that the uptrend is reversing, and a downtrend is expected. The breakdown below the support level formed by the intermediate trough confirms the reversal.
Key Insight: The price reaches the resistance level twice before reversing downward.
The head and shoulders pattern is a bearish reversal pattern that signals a shift from an uptrend to a downtrend. It features three peaks: a higher peak (head) between two lower peaks (shoulders).
The stock chart pattern is completed when the price falls below the neckline, a support line connecting the lows of the two troughs. This breakdown is often accompanied by increased volume, confirming the trend reversal.
Key Insight: The price makes three peaks and two lower peaks, then breaks down to the down trend.
The inverse head and shoulders is a bullish reversal pattern that signals a shift from a downtrend to an uptrend. It features three troughs: a lower trough (head) between two higher troughs (shoulders).
The pattern is completed when the price rises above the neckline, a resistance line connecting the highs of the two peaks. This breakout is often accompanied by increased volume, confirming the trend reversal.
Key Insight: The price forms three troughs and one lower trough, then breaks out to the upside.
Rounding tops are long-term reversal patterns that resemble a "U" shape. A rounding top signals a gradual shift from bullish to bearish.
These trading chart patterns form over an extended period, reflecting a slow but steady change in market sentiment. The breakout from the pattern confirms the trend reversal.
Key Insight: The price is forming an upside-down U shape and moving into a downtrend.
A rounding bottom is a bullish reversal pattern that indicates a gradual shift from a downtrend to an uptrend. It resembles a "U" shape and suggests a slow but steady accumulation phase before the price rises. The breakout above the resistance level formed by the rounding bottom confirms the trend reversal.
Key Insight: The price is forming a U shape and moving into an uptrend.
The cup and handle pattern is a bullish continuation pattern where a rounded bottom (the cup) is followed by a consolidation period (the handle).
The handle typically slopes downwards, indicating a brief pullback before the trend resumes. The breakout above the resistance level formed by the cup's rim confirms the continuation of the prior uptrend.
Key Insight: The price is forming a cup shape while consolidating, then breaks out and goes into an uptrend.
The bump and run pattern is a reversal pattern that starts with a sharp rise or fall (the bump), followed by a gradual trend (the run) before reversing.
This trading chart pattern suggests an unsustainable trend that is likely to reverse. The reversal is confirmed when the price breaks through the trend line formed during the run phase, often accompanied by increased volume.
Key Insight: The price is running rapidly and consolidate then reverses back to the same trend.
Price channels are continuation patterns formed by parallel trend lines. They indicate that the price is likely to continue moving within the channel.
The breakout from the channel can signal significant trend changes. An upward channel suggests a bullish trend (bull market), while a downward channel indicates a bearish trend (bear market).
Key Insight: The price is trading in a channel pattern, with clear resistance and support levels.
A triple top pattern is a bearish reversal pattern that forms after three peaks at approximately the same level.
These trading chart patterns signal the end of an uptrend and the beginning of a downtrend. The breakdown below the support level formed by the lows between the peaks confirms the trend reversal, often accompanied by increased volume.
Key Insight: The price rises to the resistance level 3 times, then breaks out and enters a downtrend.
A triple bottom pattern is a bullish reversal chart pattern that forms after three troughs at approximately the same level.
It indicates the end of a downtrend and the beginning of an uptrend. The breakout above the resistance level formed by the highs between the troughs confirms the trend reversal, often accompanied by increased volume.
Key Insight: The price drops to the support level 3 times, then breaks out and enters an uptrend.
A diamond top is a bearish reversal stock pattern that develops after an uptrend. This pattern is characterized by price movement that first broadens out and then contracts, forming a diamond shape on the chart.
The diamond top pattern typically signals growing uncertainty in the market and a potential shift from bullish to bearish sentiment.
The trend reversal is confirmed when the price breaks below the lower boundary of the diamond, often accompanied by an increase in trading volume and volatility.
Key Insight: The price is shaped like a diamond, breaking out and going down at the end.
Diamond Bottom is rare because it takes a long time to form. The chart pattern resembles a diamond and signals a trend reversal. This often signals a downtrend that could lead to a bullish reversal.
The price runs up and down in the shape, gathering the price pressure to break out in the opposite direction. The characteristic looks like an inverse head and shoulder in the diamond bottom, so you need to look for the head and shoulders shape first.
Key Insight: The price is shaped like a diamond, breaking out and going up at the end.
The channel chart pattern is moving between two parallel trendlines and breaks out in the same direction. This pattern appears in an upward, downward, and sideways direction, each direction considered in a different pattern, and they have different patterns.
When the price is in a range for some time, we draw support and resistance levels at the top and bottom of the range. Once the price breaks out, it usually goes in the same direction.
Key Insight: The price is swinging in a parallel allow you to buy and sell along the channel pattern.
Gaps occur when a stock's price makes a sharp move up or down, leaving a gap between the closing price of one period and the opening price of the next.
They are categorized into three types:
Breakaway gaps, which mark the start of a trend
Runaway gaps, which occur within a strong trend
Exhaustion gaps, signaling the end of a trend
Gaps reflect strong market sentiment and are often confirmed by increased trading volume.
Key Insight: The gap tells a clear buying and selling pressure.
Bullish rectangle patterns are continuation patterns that form during an uptrend as the price consolidates between horizontal support and resistance levels.
This pattern signifies a pause in the trend, where buyers and sellers are in equilibrium. Once the price breaks above the resistance, it indicates the resumption of the prior uptrend.
Key Insight: The price is going consolidation to a rectangle pattern after an uprend then a breakout, and continues going up.
Bearish rectangle patterns are continuation patterns that occur during a downtrend when the price consolidates between horizontal support and resistance levels.
This pattern reflects a temporary balance between buyers and sellers. A breakout below the support level signals the continuation of the prior downtrend.
Key Insight: The price is consolidating into a rectangle pattern after a downtrend, then breaking out, and then continuing to go down.
The pipe top pattern is a bearish reversal pattern characterized by two tall candlesticks at approximately the same price level, followed by a significant downward movement.
This trading pattern typically appears at the peak of an uptrend and indicates that the trend is losing momentum, with sellers starting to dominate.
Key Insight: The price rises strongly, then reverses quickly downward.
The pipe bottom pattern is a bullish reversal pattern characterized by two tall candlesticks at approximately the same price level, followed by a significant upward movement.
This pattern often forms at the end of a downtrend and signals that buyers are regaining control, leading to a potential trend reversal.
Key Insight: The price is falling sharply, then quickly reverses the uptrend.
Spikes represent sudden, sharp price movements that stand out on a chart due to their extreme height compared to surrounding price action.
They are often driven by market news or significant events, reflecting high volatility. Spikes can indicate either a reversal or continuation, depending on subsequent price action.
Key Insight: The price suddenly rises or falls, usually followed by a reversal.
Ascending staircase patterns signal a bullish continuation. The price is forming higher highs and higher lows like a staircase pattern. This pattern shows you a steady upward momentum, with buyers consistently stepping in at higher support levels.
Key Insight: The price is moving up in steps like a staircase, showing a continuation of the bullish trend.
Descending staircase patterns signal a bearish continuation. The pattern is forming like a lower highs and lower lows, looks like a downward staircase. This trading pattern shows sustained selling pressure, with sellers dominating and driving the price lower.
Key Insight: The price is moving down in steps, like a staircase, indicating a continuation of the bearish trend.
The Megaphone pattern appears when the price is in high volatility, signaling either continuation or reversal. The pattern forms between resistance and support levels when buyers and sellers push the price until it breaks through the line. When the price is in an uptrend, it usually breaks and continues up. When the price is in a downtrend, it usually breaks to the downside.
Key Insight: The price makes higher highs and lower lows, with a wider range, indicating volatility and a trend breakout.
The V Shape signals reversal, characterized as V-Shape, could appear as an inverted V-Shape as well. This pattern shows the market is about to change with strong buying pressure and strong selling pressure. V chart pattern appears when the market is panic from the major new release or when the smart money comes to the market and makes people have the fear of missing out.
Key Insight: The price rapidly rises and falls, signals clear reversal.
Harmonic patterns could be bullish and bearish, signaling a reversal. It is a chart pattern that uses Fibonacci ratios such as 0.618 or 1.272 to predict price movements. This pattern is quite accurate, but you need to understand the Fibonacci ratio. The pattern forms with a swing high and a swing low around 4 to 5 points and waits for a breakout.
Key Insight: Use the Fibonacci to spot the reversal accurately.
The Elliott wave pattern is named after investor Ralph Nelson Elliott. He has developed this pattern and can use it as a continuous or reversal signal. If the market trend is swinging up and down around 5 times already, then the 6th time is more likely to change the market direction. To increase the accuracy, you need to combine with different timeframes.
Key Insight: The price moves up and down, driven by the market price, following a 5-wave and 3-wave rule.
The three-drives pattern is a harmonic reversal pattern characterized by three consecutive price swings in the same direction, with each drive completing at specific Fibonacci levels.
This pattern signals that the prevailing trend is likely to reverse after the third drive.
Key Insight: The price creates a peak or a trough 3 times following a Fibonacci reversal.
The Quasimodo pattern is a reversal pattern that forms when the price makes a higher high or lower low, followed by a return to the prior range. This pattern signifies a trend reversal and highlights areas where traders can anticipate significant price movement.
Key Insight: A peak or trough is higher or lower than the previous one, signaling a reversal.
The dead cat bounce pattern is a bearish continuation pattern where a temporary recovery occurs after a steep decline, only for the price to resume its downward trend. This trading pattern reflects weak buying interest and signals that the prevailing downtrend is likely to continue.
Key Insight: The price has rebounded temporarily in a downtrend.
An Island Reversal is a rare reversal pattern that forms when a group of price bars becomes isolated due to gaps on both sides.
This pattern signals a significant change in market sentiment.
This stock chart pattern suggests that the prevailing trend is losing momentum, leading to a sharp price reversal once the market gaps in the opposite direction.
Key Insight: A gap clearly shows the isolated price, signaling a reversal trend.
The Tower Top Pattern is a bearish reversal pattern that forms after a strong uptrend, resembling a tower-like structure where price climbs rapidly before a sharp decline.
This stock chart pattern indicates that bullish momentum is fading and sellers are taking control. A breakdown below the support zone confirms a bearish trend reversal.
Key Insight: The price is rapidly approaching a peak and then dropping sharply.
The Tower Bottom Pattern is the bullish counterpart of the Tower Top Pattern. It forms after a strong downtrend when the price stabilizes and gradually recovers.
This stock chart pattern suggests that selling pressure is weakening, and a bullish reversal is likely. A breakout above resistance confirms the shift in trend.
Key Insight: The price is rapidly approaching a low and then rising sharply.
A Shakeout Pattern shows the reversal, usually appearing while the price is resting in an uptrend before the price breaks out. The buyers are coming to the market and trying to control the market,t but are still unsure. But after gathering more and more buying pressure, they are able to flip the market to continue an uptrend.
Key Insight: The price breaks the support level temporarily, causing some sales while strong hands are still accumulating, then the price rebounds to an uptrend.
The broadening wedge pattern can signal both continuation and reversal. This pattern moves with the market trend and the volatility. The price is swinging up and down, creating higher highs and higher lows between resistance and support levels, from wider to narrower, until the price breaks out of the pattern. You can enter when the price returns to the retest and confirmation levels.
Key Insight: The price moves higher highs and higher lows with a wider range, showing breakout potential.
The Parabolic Curve pattern forms when price accelerates upwards at an increasing rate, creating a steep, curved trajectory that resembles a parabolic arc.
This pattern reflects extreme bullish sentiment and often occurs during strong market rallies fueled by speculative buying.
However, once the price reaches unsustainable levels, a sharp reversal or correction usually follows as profit-taking and market saturation occur.
Key Insight: A parabolic price rise is very steep, signaling continuation or reversal.
The Bullish Wolfe Wave appears after a downtrend, forming five precise waves that signal declining selling pressure.
Once the fifth wave touches or slightly breaks below the lower trendline, a bullish reversal is expected. Traders aim for the "EPA" line drawn from point 1 to point 4 as the target, anticipating a sharp upward move.
Key Insight: The price creates 5 points of the Wolfe Wave pattern, then it breaks out to the uptrend.
The Bearish Wolfe Wave forms after an uptrend with five structured waves showing slowing bullish momentum.
Upon completing wave 5, usually above the upper trendline, a bearish reversal typically follows. The price is expected to decline toward the "EPA" line, forecasting a quick move downward.
Key Insight: The price forms 5 points of the Wolfe Wave pattern, then breaks out of the downtrend.
Chart patterns are a core tool in technical analysis. It reflected how an investor comes to the market and moves the price. However, to use this in your trading effectively, you always need to wait for a confirmation by combining chart patterns with other technical analytics tools. Also, you never skip risk management when trading to increase your success rate.
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No pattern is perfect, but the Head and Shoulders is the most trusted for a reversal signal. However, its accuracy increases as market trading volume increases.
The best charts for beginners are Double Top, Double Bottom, and Fals, which are quite easy to spot and always appear in a very clear market trend.
You need to wait for the price to break out, then enter the trade and place a stop-loss order just inside the opposite side of the pattern to manage risk.
Yes. Day traders can also spot these chart patterns on every trading market, you will find the patterns like Pennants, Triangle,s or Flags.
The two primary categories are Reversal (signaling a trend change) and Continuation (indicating a trend pause). Bilateral patterns like triangles can signal a move in either direction.
The most common reason is a false breakout, where the price breaks a level but then reverses. This often occurs due to low trading volume or a lack of broader market support for the move.
Itsariya Doungnet
SEO Content Writer
Itsariya Doungnet is an SEO content writer at XS.com, with experience in trading and investing in financial markets. She creates content that combines her deep understanding of technical analysis and investing to make it easier for readers to understand.
This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas and may not reflect those of the Company. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. XS, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same. Our platform may not offer all the products or services mentioned.
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