Williams %R
Inverted Stochastic oscillator (0 to −100) identifying overbought (above −20) and oversold (below −80) conditions over a 14-period window.
Formula
%R = −100 × (Highest High_n − Close) / (Highest High_n − Lowest Low_n)
Williams %R measures where the most recent close sits within the high-low range of the lookback period, expressed as a negative number from 0 (at the top of the range) to −100 (at the bottom). It is mathematically identical to an inverted %K from the Stochastic Oscillator.
Readings above −20 warn of overbought conditions; below −80, oversold. The indicator is sensitive and signals fire early — traders often wait for a second confirmation bar before acting. Larry Williams popularised it in the 1970s as a short-term timing tool for futures markets.
Related Terms
Commodity Channel Index (CCI)
Oscillator measuring how far price deviates from its statistical mean; above +100 is strong momentum, below −100 suggests oversold.
IntermediateRelative Strength Index (RSI)
Momentum oscillator (0–100) that flags overbought conditions above 70 and oversold below 30 over a default 14-period lookback.
BeginnerStochastic Oscillator
Momentum oscillator comparing a closing price to its high-low range over 14 periods; values above 80 are overbought, below 20 oversold.
BeginnerStochastic RSI
RSI of RSI — applies the Stochastic formula to RSI values for a hyper-sensitive oscillator that generates more signals than either parent indicator.
IntermediateUltimate Oscillator
Momentum oscillator that averages buying pressure across 7-, 14-, and 28-period timeframes to reduce false signals from a single period.
Intermediate