Loading...
Please wait while we prepare your experience
Please wait while we prepare your experience
Learn the proven RSI strategies professional traders use: divergence signals, optimal settings, hidden patterns, and complete entry/exit systems
Win Rate with Divergence
Default Period Setting
Overbought/Oversold Levels
Avg Risk/Reward Ratio
Join our Futures Trading Mastery course - Pass prop firm challenges & scale to $100K+
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and magnitude of price movements. Developed by J. Welles Wilder in 1978, RSI oscillates between 0 and 100, helping traders identify overbought and oversold conditions.
Unlike moving averages that lag behind price, RSI provides real-time momentum readings. When RSI is above 70, the market is considered overbought. When RSI is below 30, it's oversold. But that's just the beginning—professional traders use RSI in far more sophisticated ways.
RSI = 100 - [100 / (1 + RS)]
RS = Average Gain / Average Loss (over specified period)
For the default 14-period RSI: Calculate the average gain and average loss over the last 14 periods. Divide average gain by average loss to get RS, then plug into the formula.
Don't worry about manual calculations— every trading platform calculates this automatically. Focus on interpretation instead.
| Trading Style | RSI Period | Overbought | Oversold | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scalping | 5-9 | 80 | 20 | Quick 2-5 min trades |
| Day Trading | 14 | 70 | 30 | Standard intraday moves |
| Swing Trading | 14-21 | 70 | 30 | Multi-day positions |
| Position Trading | 21-30 | 65 | 35 | Long-term trends |
Beginner Mistake: Blindly shorting when RSI hits 70 or buying when RSI hits 30.
Professional Approach: In strong trends, RSI can stay overbought/oversold for extended periods. Use RSI as a confirmation tool, not an automatic signal. Wait for price action confirmation before entering.
What It Is:
Price makes lower lows, but RSI makes higher lows. This signals weakening downward momentum—buyers are stepping in.
Entry Rules:
Why It Works:
Watch Out For:
Real Example: ES futures at 4990 makes new low at 4980, RSI at 25. Price bounces to 4995, drops to 4985 (higher low), but RSI only drops to 28 (higher low = bullish divergence). RSI crosses 30, bullish engulfing forms = LONG at 4987. Stop at 4979, target 5010 = 23 points ($1,150 per contract).
What It Is:
Price makes higher highs, but RSI makes lower highs. This signals weakening upward momentum—distribution is occurring.
Entry Rules:
Why It Works:
Watch Out For:
Real Example: NQ futures at 17,500 rallies to 17,550 (RSI at 76). Pulls back, rallies again to 17,580 (new high), but RSI only reaches 72 (lower high = bearish divergence). RSI crosses below 70, large red candle = SHORT at 17,570. Stop at 17,595, target 17,500 = 70 points ($1,400 per contract).
When RSI reaches extreme levels (>80 or <20), prices often revert to the mean. This strategy works best in ranging or choppy markets where there's no strong directional trend.
Setup Rules:
Long Example:
Gold futures ranging between $2020-$2040. Price drops to $2022, RSI hits 18. Price bounces to $2024, RSI crosses back above 20 = LONG. Stop: $2018, Target: $2035 (RSI ~50) = $1,300 profit.
Short Example:
EUR/USD ranging 1.0800-1.0850. Rallies to 1.0848, RSI hits 82. Fails to break 1.0850, RSI crosses below 80 = SHORT. Stop: 1.0855, Target: 1.0820 (RSI ~50) = 28 pips.
⚠️ Critical Warning:
DO NOT use mean reversion in trending markets. If ES is trending strongly upward with RSI at 85, DON'T SHORT. You'll get run over. This strategy ONLY works in sideways, range-bound conditions.
Pattern: Price makes higher lows, but RSI makes lower lows. This indicates strong underlying momentum despite the pullback—trend will likely continue up.
When to Use:
In established uptrends, when price pulls back but RSI shows weakness. This is a LONG entry signal that the pullback is over.
Example: ES in uptrend. Price at 5000 (RSI 60), pulls to 4990 (higher low), RSI drops to 50 (lower low). Price starts climbing = hidden bullish divergence. LONG at 4992, ride the continuation.
Pattern: Price makes lower highs, but RSI makes higher highs. This indicates strong underlying weakness despite the bounce—downtrend will likely continue.
When to Use:
In established downtrends, when price bounces but RSI shows strength. This is a SHORT entry signal that the bounce is a trap.
Example: Bitcoin in downtrend. Price at $42K (RSI 35), bounces to $43K (lower high), RSI climbs to 45 (higher high). Price resumes decline = hidden bearish divergence. SHORT at $42,800.
Most traders only draw trendlines on price. Advanced technique: Draw trendlines directly on the RSI indicator. When these trendlines break, major price moves follow.
How to Execute:
Pro Tip: RSI trendline breaks often precede price trendline breaks by 1-3 candles. This gives you early entry before the crowd sees the price breakout. Win rate: 60-65%.
Use RSI to confirm VWAP mean reversion trades. When price extends beyond 2 standard deviations from VWAP AND RSI is extreme, high-probability reversal setup.
Win Rate: 70-75%
RSI divergence + price at key MA (20 EMA, 50 SMA, 200 SMA) = powerful reversal zone. Wait for both to align before entering.
Win Rate: 65-70%
Bullish divergence at major support level = high conviction long. Bearish divergence at major resistance = high conviction short.
Win Rate: 70-80%
Divergence with increasing volume = stronger signal. Decreasing volume during divergence = weaker signal, possibly false.
Confirmation tool
In powerful trends, RSI can stay overbought for weeks. Shorting just because RSI > 70 will get you destroyed. Solution: Only fade RSI extremes in ranging markets. In trends, wait for divergence signals.
RSI might show divergence on 5-min chart, but 1-hour chart shows strong trend. Solution: Always check higher timeframe RSI before entering. Multi-timeframe alignment = higher win rate.
Not all divergences are created equal. Weak divergences in low-volume conditions fail often. Solution: Only trade divergences at major support/resistance with volume confirmation.
RSI is a tool, not a crystal ball. Even the best RSI setups fail 25-35% of the time. Solution: ALWAYS use stop losses. No indicator is perfect.
Using 14-period RSI for scalping = too slow. Using 5-period for swing trading = too noisy. Solution: Match RSI period to your trading timeframe (see settings table above).
A failure swing occurs when RSI breaks above 70, pulls back but stays above 30, then breaks the previous high. This is a bullish signal. Reverse for bearish.
Example: RSI peaks at 75, drops to 55, rallies to 78 (new high but price doesn't make new high) = potential top forming. High-probability short setup.
In strong uptrends, use RSI drops to 50 as buying opportunities. In strong downtrends, use RSI rallies to 50 as shorting opportunities.
Strategy: ES in uptrend. Wait for RSI to drop to 50, enter long with 5-point stop. Target: Previous high. Win rate: 60-65% in trending markets.
Use two RSI indicators: fast (7-period) and slow (21-period). Enter when both align. Fast RSI for entry timing, slow RSI for trend confirmation.
Setup: Fast RSI crosses above 30 (oversold bounce) while slow RSI is already above 40 (uptrend confirmed) = high-probability long. Win rate: 65-70%.
RSI Divergence Strategy
RSI Mean Reversion
RSI + VWAP Combo
Note: Results based on 1 ES contract per trade. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Backtests assume disciplined execution without emotional interference.
14-period RSI is the standard for day trading. It provides a good balance between responsiveness and noise filtering. Scalpers can use 9-period for faster signals, but expect more false positives.
RSI can be used alone, especially divergence strategies. However, combining RSI with support/resistance, VWAP, or volume analysis significantly increases win rates (65% → 75%+).
RSI divergence has a 65-75% win rate when properly identified with confirmation. Key: Wait for price action confirmation (reversal candle, trendline break) before entering. Don't jump in just because divergence appears.
Strong trends have persistent momentum. RSI above 70 doesn't mean "sell immediately"—it means momentum is strong. In trends, wait for RSI divergence or use RSI 50 pullbacks as entry points instead.
RSI measures momentum of price changes, while Stochastic measures current price relative to range. RSI is smoother and less prone to false signals. For most traders, RSI is more reliable.
RSI can identify weakening momentum (bearish divergence at tops), but it cannot predict sudden news-driven crashes. Always use stop losses—no indicator prevents black swan events.
Yes, but with caveats. 1-minute RSI is extremely noisy. Use 5 or 7-period RSI on 1-min charts for scalping, and demand stronger confirmation (volume, level 2 data). Expect lower accuracy than higher timeframes.
RSI works universally: stocks, forex, futures, crypto. Most effective on liquid instruments (ES, NQ, EUR/USD, BTC) where price action is smooth. Less effective on illiquid penny stocks or low-volume altcoins.
RSI divergence or extreme level confirmed?
Price action confirmation (reversal candle, volume spike)?
Market condition matches strategy (trending vs ranging)?
Higher timeframe RSI supports the trade?
Stop loss and target calculated (1:1.5 minimum R:R)?
Position size respects 1-2% risk rule?
No major news events in next 30 minutes?
Join our Futures Trading Mastery course - Pass prop firm challenges & scale to $100K+
Discover which funded trading program offers better profit splits, evaluation rules, and trader support for futures traders.
Compare FTMO and Topstep evaluation rules, profit splits, and which prop firm is best for your trading style.