How is the stochastic oscillator calculated?

Over the last 14 periods, find the highest high and lowest low. %K = (latest close - lowest low) / (highest high - lowest low) x 100. %D is a 3-period average of %K. The slow version first smooths %K with its own 3-period average.

What do 80 and 20 mean on the stochastic?

Many traders read %K above 80 as overbought, meaning the close is near the top of its recent range, and below 20 as oversold. In strong trends the oscillator can stay in those zones for a long time.

Stochastic oscillator calculator

Paste high, low and close prices to get the stochastic oscillator %K and %D, fast or slow, with overbought and oversold zones. Works for forex, crypto or shares. Free, no sign-up, nothing leaves your browser.

One bar per line: high low close, oldest first

%K period (14)%K smoothing (1 fast, 3 slow)%D period (3)

You need at least 18 bars for these settings; 16 read so far. This is a calculator, not advice.

–

WhatsApp X LinkedIn

What the stochastic oscillator shows

The stochastic oscillator, developed by George Lane, shows where the latest close sits within the high-to-low range of the last few periods, on a scale from 0 to 100. A reading of 90 means the close is near the top of the recent range; 10 means it is near the bottom.

Reading %K and %D

%K is the main line and %D is a short average of it. Many traders treat readings above 80 as overbought and below 20 as oversold, and watch for %K crossing %D. In strong trends the oscillator can stay near one end for a long time, so it is usually read together with the trend.

Launch your own multi-currency money app

Give your customers GBP, EUR and USD accounts, transfers and branded cards under your own brand, powered by licensed partners. SendPay doesn't offer trading.

What is the stochastic oscillator? RSI calculator