Learn Chart Patterns

Master the nine chart patterns used in technical analysis. Each card below shows a synthetic example chart, explains what the pattern looks like, and lists key features to watch for. Click Start Tutorial on any card to watch the pattern form candle by candle with guided narration, or practice spotting them in the Challenge mode.

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Triangle

A triangle forms when the price oscillates between converging trendlines — higher lows and lower highs squeeze together like a coiled spring. The breakout direction reveals the next move.

Key features
-Narrowing price range over time
-Higher lows + lower highs (symmetrical) or one flat side (ascending/descending)
-Volume often decreases as the triangle forms
-Breakout usually occurs in the last third of the pattern
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Double Top

A double top is a bearish reversal pattern. Price reaches a high, pulls back, rallies to a similar high, then breaks down. It signals that buyers tried twice and failed to push higher.

Key features
-Two peaks at roughly the same price level
-A valley ("neckline") between the two peaks
-Volume is often lower on the second peak
-Confirmed when price breaks below the neckline
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Head & Shoulders

The classic reversal pattern: a left shoulder, a higher head, and a lower right shoulder. The neckline connecting the two troughs is the key level — a break below it confirms the reversal.

Key features
-Three peaks: left shoulder, head (highest), right shoulder
-Right shoulder is lower than the head (shows weakening momentum)
-Neckline connects the two troughs between the peaks
-Volume typically decreases from left shoulder → head → right shoulder
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Flag

A flag is a continuation pattern. After a sharp move (the "pole"), price consolidates in a small counter-trend channel (the "flag") before continuing in the original direction.

Key features
-A strong, steep move forms the "pole"
-A small, rectangular counter-trend channel forms the "flag"
-The flag slopes against the prior trend
-Breakout from the flag continues the trend with similar momentum
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Double Bottom

The bullish mirror of a double top. Price drops to a trough, bounces, drops to a similar trough, then rallies. It signals that sellers tried twice to push lower and failed.

Key features
-Two troughs at roughly the same price level
-A peak ("neckline") between the two troughs
-Volume often increases on the second bounce
-Confirmed when price breaks above the neckline
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Pennant

Like a flag, but the consolidation forms a tiny symmetrical triangle (converging lines) instead of a channel. Appears after a sharp move and signals continuation.

Key features
-Sharp move (pole) followed by converging trendlines
-Looks like a small symmetrical triangle
-Volume contracts during the pennant, then spikes on breakout
-Shorter duration than a triangle — typically just a few bars
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Wedge

A wedge has two converging trendlines that both slope in the same direction. A rising wedge (slopes up) is bearish — it suggests weakening momentum before a breakdown.

Key features
-Both trendlines slope in the same direction (up or down)
-Range narrows as the wedge progresses
-Rising wedge → bearish reversal; falling wedge → bullish reversal
-Breakout typically occurs against the slope direction
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Cup & Handle

A U-shaped recovery (the cup) followed by a small downward drift (the handle), then a breakout upward. This is a bullish continuation pattern that signals accumulation.

Key features
-Rounded, U-shaped bottom (not V-shaped)
-Handle pulls back slightly from the cup's right rim
-Handle volume is low; breakout volume is high
-Typically takes weeks to months to form in real markets
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Breakout

A breakout occurs when price moves decisively beyond a range, resistance, or support level. After consolidating in a tight range, price explodes in one direction with high volume.

Key features
-Extended period of sideways price action (consolidation)
-Clearly defined support and resistance boundaries
-Volume spike accompanies the breakout move
-Failed breakouts (fakeouts) are common — volume confirms the real ones
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