The ADX Trend indicator turns Wilder’s Directional Movement system into clean on-chart arrows: a green BUY when +DI crosses above -DI and a red SELL when -DI crosses above +DI, but only while ADX confirms a trending market. Also, the strength filter keeps you out of flat ranges. MT4 and MT5 with a full alert package.
For more like this, browse the more trend indicators for forex or jump to the full MetaTrader indicator hub.
What the ADX Trend Indicator does on the chart
Also, the ADX Trend indicator reads Wilder’s Directional Movement system and prints clean BUY/SELL arrows on the price chart. Also, still, it uses +DI and -DI for direction and the ADX line for trend strength, only acting when ADX confirms a genuine trend.
A green BUY arrow prints when +DI crosses above -DI while ADX is above the trend level; a red SELL arrow prints on the mirror. Thus, the strength filter keeps you out of flat, ranging conditions.
Key features and settings
- On-chart BUY/SELL arrows from the DI cross
- ADX trend-strength filter (default 22)
- No oscillator window needed
- Adjustable period and level
- Non-repainting on bar close
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
AdxPeriod |
ADX / DI period | 14 |
TrendLevel |
ADX must exceed this for an arrow | 22 |
ArrowOffsetPoints |
Arrow offset from the 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 ADX Trend Indicator
No arrow fires unless ADX confirms the trend.
In practice, Entry idea (long). Green BUY arrow (+DI over -DI, ADX trending).
Entry idea (short). Red SELL arrow (-DI over +DI, ADX trending).
Exit idea. Consider exiting as ADX peaks and turns down.
Tuning the ADX trend Indicator inputs
Start with the defaults, then tune for your market. AdxPeriod (default 14) sets the averaging length — raise it for smoother, slower signals or lower it for faster, more sensitive ones; TrendLevel (default 22) is the threshold a reading must clear before it counts as a signal. As a result, 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
This indicator reads best on the higher timeframes, where direction is cleaner and false turns are fewer.
- H1 and H4 for intraday trend trading.
- Daily for the dominant bias and swing setups.
On M5 to M15 expect more whipsaw, so raise the period to compensate. Also, still, hence, it suits trending majors such as EURUSD and USDJPY and indices like US30 and NAS100.
How to install on MT4 and MT5
Installation is the same for every indicator on this site. Next, 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
- Trade in the direction of the higher-timeframe trend and avoid counter-trend signals.
- Use the strength filter to skip weak, ranging conditions.
- 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.
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Related on forexmt4systems.com: MACD Trend Following Strategy for AUDUSD on H4.
Built by forexmt4systems.com
This It is one of 1,383 free MT4, MT5 and TradingView indicators we publish and maintain. Thus, yet, 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 ADX trend measure?
It plots a clear signal layer that the ADX trend 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, hence, truly, 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. Next, plainly, m15 to H1 is a common starting point for intraday traders, and H4 to D1 works for swing traders. In addition, 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, fast-moving instruments may need a smaller period setting.
Can I add alerts?
Yes. Then, Pop-up, sound, push, and email alerts live in the inputs panel. Still, on MT4 and MT5 the alert plays on the bar close that triggers the signal. Thus, 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 background reading on moving averages. 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 Trend collection. Also, still, yet, hence, browse more Trend for MetaTrader, or explore every MT4 indicator and MT5 indicator on the site.
External references
- For background on this concept, see Average Directional Movement Index on Wikipedia.
- For broader market context, see the BIS Triennial Survey of FX market activity.