Wilder’s full directional system has four lines, but most platforms show three. The advanced ADX indicator adds the fourth, ADXR, which averages ADX with its value ten bars back. It then flags a DI cross only when ADX is above 25 and rising faster than ADXR.
This build ships as a compiled .ex4 for MT4 and .ex5 for MT5; the screenshots below come from EURUSD H1.
| Platforms | MT4 (.ex4) + MT5 (.ex5) |
|---|---|
| Chart window | Separate window (levels 25) |
| Plots | 4: ADX, ADXR, +DI, -DI |
| Alerts | popup, push notification, email, sound |
| Inputs | 9 |
The display
Four lines in a pane.
`ADX` traces aqua at width 3.
`ADXR` traces violet at width 2.
`+DI` traces lime at width 1.
`-DI` traces red at width 1.
A guide sits at 25.
- ADX: line, aqua, width 3
- ADXR: line, violet, width 2
- +DI: line, lime, width 1
- -DI: line, red, width 1
From price to plot
DI and ADX
`AdxPeriod` `14` gives the standard Wilder lines. +DI and -DI measure upward and downward movement; ADX measures their spread.
ADXR
`AdxrShift` `10` averages today’s ADX with its value ten bars back. ADX above ADXR means trend strength is building.
Signals
A +DI cross above -DI sends a buy message only when ADX is over `TrendLevel` `25` and above ADXR. Sells mirror this.
What you are looking at
ADX above 25 means a trend is present.
ADX above ADXR means it is strengthening.
+DI above -DI means buyers lead.
No marks are drawn; messages carry the signal.
Crosses with ADX under 25 stay silent.
Warm-up needs about forty bars.
Alert channels in this build: popup, push notification, email and sound, one message per closed bar.
Filtered DI crosses report as BUY or SELL with the reason. `EnableAlerts` is the master toggle, and the MT4 popup is the route that starts switched on.
Every Advanced ADX Indicator input
Core settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
AdxPeriod |
Wilder period for all lines, `14`. | 14 |
AdxrShift |
Bars back for ADXR, `10`. | 10 |
TrendLevel |
ADX floor for signals, `25`. | 25 |
Alert settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
EnableAlerts |
master toggle. Master toggle, `true`. | on |
EnablePopup |
MT4 popup dialog. MT4 popup dialog, `true`. | on |
EnablePushNotify |
mobile MT4 push notification. Mobile route, `false`. | off |
EnableEmail |
SMTP email (Tools > Options > Email). Email route, `false`. | off |
EnableSound |
play sound file from MT4/Sounds/. Speaker, `false`. | off |
SoundFile |
Speaker clip, `”alert.wav”`. | alert.wav |
Where it earns its keep
ADX suits any chart with trends worth riding. EURUSD H1 is the reference chart, where ADX clears 25 a few times a week. On M15 it filters session noise. On D1 filtered DI crosses are rare and strong.
What this one cannot tell you
ADX lags, so strong trends are half done.
Quiet-market DI crosses never report.
The pane shows no marks, only lines.
Only the popup is on by default.
Copy the compiled Advanced ADX Indicator file into your MQL4/Indicators folder, and the MT5 build into MQL5/Indicators, then restart the terminal and drag it onto a chart. The step-by-step guide with screenshots is at how to install MT4 and MT5 indicators.
Background reading on the method behind the Advanced ADX Indicator: Directional Movement Index at Investopedia, Average Directional Index at StockCharts ChartSchool.
Download the Advanced ADX Indicator for MT4 and MT5
The zip holds the compiled Advanced ADX Indicator build for MT4 and MT5, plus a short README. Compiled files only, no source. Enter your email below and the download link arrives in your inbox.
Download this indicator free
Enter your email and the file is yours. You also get the full MT4 and MT5 library.
FAQ
What does ADXR add to a plain ADX?
It averages ADX with its value ten bars back, set by `AdxrShift`. When ADX runs above ADXR, trend strength is rising rather than fading, which is the second filter on every signal.
Why must ADX clear TrendLevel 25?
Below 25 the market usually lacks a trend, and DI lines cross back and forth on noise. The filter keeps messages to crosses inside real trends.
Does the +DI cross draw a mark in the pane?
No. The four lines carry the reading, and the buy or sell arrives as a message when +DI and -DI cross under the ADX conditions. Read the crosses from the lines themselves.
Is a shorter AdxPeriod better on fast charts?
It reacts sooner and crosses more often, which some M15 traders like. Wilder’s 14 remains the common choice on hourly and daily charts, where it filters most noise.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Trading involves risk. Results are not guaranteed; past performance is not indicative of future results. Use the Advanced ADX Indicator as one input. Always backtest before trading live.
Category: this is part of our Signal and Forecast collection. Thus, 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 Advanced Computerized Execution System on Wikipedia.
- For broader market context, see iadx (ADX) at the MQL5 Documentation.
About the author
Written by Dominic Walsh, a Forex trader and MT4/MT5 indicator, Expert Advisor and script developer. Every tool on forexmt4systems.com is tested on live charts before release and ships with ready-to-use compiled MT4 (.ex4) and MT5 (.ex5) files. Learn more about the trader and developer behind this site.
How we build, test and correct every tool: Editorial & Testing Policy. Trading carries risk; see the disclaimer.