The ACB Breakout Arrows Indicator watches a rolling high-low channel and fires a clean arrow the moment price escapes the recent range – no lines cluttering the chart. Also, a green BUY arrow prints on a close above the prior range high; a red SELL arrow on a close below the prior range low. Because the channel uses closed bars only, every arrow stays where it printed.
For more like this, browse the more signal-forecast indicators for forex or jump to the full all MetaTrader indicators.
What the ACB Breakout Arrows Indicator does on the chart
Also, the ACB Breakout Arrows Indicator watches a rolling high-low channel over the chosen lookback and fires arrows on genuine breakouts. Also, still, it does not clutter the chart with lines – it simply prints an arrow the moment price escapes the recent range.
When the current bar closes ABOVE the highest high of the prior lookback window a green BUY arrow prints. Thus, when it closes BELOW the lowest low a red SELL arrow prints. Because the channel is built from PRIOR bars only, a printed arrow stays where it printed.
Key features and settings
- Rolling high-low breakout detection over a configurable lookback
- Green BUY arrow on a close above the prior range high
- Red SELL arrow on a close below the prior range low
- Clean arrow-only display – no lines
- Non-repainting (channel uses closed bars only)
- Full alert system: popup, push notification to mobile MetaTrader, email, and sound — all four channels toggle independently from the inputs panel. Alerts fire once per closed bar so you never get spammed mid-tick.
- Built for both MT4 and MT5; works on every timeframe and every symbol your broker offers.
- Lightweight code that does not slow down the chart.
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
LookbackBars |
Number of prior bars used to define the breakout channel | 18 |
ArrowOffsetPoints |
Arrow offset from the candle wick | 35 |
EnableAlerts |
Master toggle for the alert system | true |
EnablePopup |
MT4/MT5 popup dialog on signal | true |
EnablePushNotify |
Mobile push notification (configure MetaQuotes ID first) | false |
EnableEmail |
SMTP email (configure Tools -> Options -> Email) | false |
EnableSound |
Play .wav from MT4/Sounds on signal | false |
How to read signals from the ACB Breakout Arrows Indicator
In practice, breakouts work best in trending or expanding markets. In a tight range, expect more whipsaws.
Entry idea (long). Wait for a green BUY arrow. Also, still, hence, stop below the broken range; target a measured move of the range height.
Entry idea (short). Wait for a red SELL arrow. Stop above the broken range.
Exit idea. Trail behind each new swing, or exit on the first opposite arrow.
Tuning the ACB Breakout Arrows Indicator inputs
Start with the defaults, then tune for your market. LookbackBars (default 18) sets the averaging length — raise it for smoother, slower signals or lower it for faster, more sensitive ones. Next, every alert channel — pop-up, sound, email and mobile push — toggles independently in the same inputs panel, and alerts fire once per closed bar.
Recommended timeframes and instruments
As a result, this indicator is most effective around session opens and range expansions.
- M15 to H1 for London and New York breakouts.
- M5 for faster index breakouts.
Avoid the low-liquidity gaps between sessions. Then, it works well on EURUSD, GBPUSD, US30 and NAS100.
How to install on MT4 and MT5
Installation is the same for every indicator on this site. Thus, yet, unzip the download, copy the compiled .ex4 into your MT4 MQL4/Indicators folder (or the .ex5 into MT5 MQL5/Indicators), refresh the Navigator, then drag it onto the chart. For the full step-by-step with alert setup and troubleshooting, see our guide to installing MT4 and MT5 indicators.
Best practices and tips
- Wait for a confirmed close beyond the level, not an intrabar poke.
- Skip breakouts late in a session when follow-through is weak.
- Wait for the bar to close before acting on a signal.
- Backtest your configuration on at least 200 closed bars before trading live.
- Keep position sizing small while you learn how the tool behaves on your instrument.
- Review your results weekly and prune settings that underperform.
Get the ACB Breakout Arrows for MT4 and MT5
One email unlocks the full library. This The tool plus the other 1,382 free MT4, MT5 and TradingView indicators we publish and maintain. Also, hence, truly, no paywall, no upsell, same opt-in for all of them – you give an email once and you can grab every tool we ship.
Enter your email to receive the indicator file. We send it once and add you to free updates.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your address.
Enter your email and the file lands in your inbox right after. The download is free.
Related on forexmt4systems.com: London Session Breakout Strategy.
Built by forexmt4systems.com
This It is one of 1,383 free MT4, MT5 and TradingView indicators we publish and maintain. Next, plainly, every tool ships with ready-to-use compiled MT4 (.ex4) and MT5 (.ex5) files, a 4-channel alert system (popup + mobile push + email + sound), and is loaded on EURUSD H1 before release to confirm it draws cleanly without repainting. The same one-step email opt-in below unlocks the entire library – not just this one indicator.
FAQ
What does the ACB Breakout Arrows measure?
It plots a clear signal layer that the ACB Breakout Arrows computes from recent price and volume on the chart.
Is the indicator non-repaint?
By default the indicator only confirms a signal on the bar close, so the printed signal locks in once that bar closes. Also, some users prefer the early intra-bar mode for faster signals — both options are in the inputs.
Which timeframe should I use?
There is no single best timeframe. Then, m15 to H1 is a common starting point for intraday traders, and H4 to D1 works for swing traders. Backtest the configuration on the timeframe you actually trade.
Does it work on instruments other than forex?
It works on any instrument MT4 and MT5 supports — forex majors, gold (XAUUSD), indices like US30 and NAS100, and major cryptos. Also, still, yet, still, fast-moving instruments may need a smaller period setting.
Can I add alerts?
Yes. Thus, Pop-up, sound, push, and email alerts live in the inputs panel. On MT4 and MT5 the alert plays on the bar close that triggers the signal. In addition, this indicator ships with full alert functionality built in: popup alerts on the chart, push notifications to mobile MetaTrader, email alerts, and a sound alert with a configurable .wav file. you toggle each channel independently from the inputs panel (EnableAlerts, EnablePopup, EnablePushNotify, EnableEmail, EnableSound). Alerts trigger once per closed bar.
For external background reading, see the technical indicator basics. Are results guaranteed?
No. Trading involves risk. Results are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Use the tool as one input. Always backtest before trading live.
Category: this is part of our Signal and Forecast collection. Thus, truly, hence, browse more Signal and Forecast for MetaTrader, or explore every MT4 indicator and MT5 indicator on the site.
External references
- For background on this concept, see Breakout (technical analysis) on Wikipedia.
- For broader market context, see the IMF data portal.