A fractal cannot exist until the bars after it have closed. The non repaint fractal indicator respects that: it waits for the two confirming bars before marking a turn, and then carries the most recent high and low forward as live support and resistance lines.
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 | Main price chart |
| Plots | 2: Up Fractal, Down Fractal |
| Alerts | popup, push notification, email, sound |
| Inputs | 12 |
What renders
Two marks plus extended level lines.
`Up Fractal` marks aqua with arrow 217.
`Down Fractal` marks magenta with arrow 218.
`ResistanceColor` `clrTomato` draws the upper line.
`SupportColor` `clrLimeGreen` draws the lower line.
`SRLineWidth` `1` keeps those lines thin.
- Up Fractal: arrow, aqua, width 2, arrow code 217
- Down Fractal: arrow, magenta, width 2, arrow code 218
What feeds each plot
The Williams rule
`FractalBars` `2` bars either side must stay below a high for it to count. Two is Bill Williams’ own figure.
Why it waits
Those two right-hand bars have to close first. The mark then lands on the turn itself, two bars back, and stays there.
Extending the level
`ShowSRLines` carries the latest confirmed high and low forward. A newer fractal of the same kind then takes over the line.
How to follow along
Aqua chevrons mark confirmed highs.
Magenta chevrons mark confirmed lows.
Tomato marks the latest high, carried forward.
Green marks the latest low in the same way.
`ArrowOffsetPoints` `8` keeps marks tight to the bar.
Scanning covers the last 400 bars.
Alert channels in this build: popup, push notification, email and sound, one message per closed bar.
A newly confirmed fractal is what reports, once per closed bar. `EnableAlerts` is the switch; the on-screen notice and the speaker playing `SoundFile` ship on, while phone and email stay off.
Every Non Repaint Fractal Indicator input
Core settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
FractalBars |
bars each side of centre (BW default = 2). Bars either side of a turn, `2`. | 2 |
Display settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
ShowSRLines |
extend last fractal as S/R line. Extend the latest turns as levels, `true`. | on |
ResistanceColor |
Upper line colour, `clrTomato`. | tomato |
SupportColor |
Lower line colour, `clrLimeGreen`. | lime green |
SRLineWidth |
Thickness of both lines, `1`. | 1 |
ArrowOffsetPoints |
visual offset from H/L. Gap between chevron and bar, `8`. | 8 |
Alert settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
EnableAlerts |
Switch for new-fractal notices, `true`. | on |
EnablePopup |
On-screen notice, `true`. | on |
EnablePushNotify |
Phone notice, `false`. | off |
EnableEmail |
(see inputs panel) | off |
EnableSound |
Speaker notice, ships on, `true`. | on |
SoundFile |
(see inputs panel) | alert.wav |
Matching chart to settings
Two-bar fractals appear constantly, so the chart decides how meaningful they are. EURUSD H1 is the reference chart. On M5 the chevrons crowd. On D1 each one marks a turn people actually trade around.
Its weaknesses
Two bars either side is a small structure.
Every mark arrives two bars after the turn.
Only the newest levels get extended.
The speaker route ships on.
Copy the compiled Non Repaint Fractal 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.
Download the Non Repaint Fractal Indicator for MT4 and MT5
The zip holds the compiled Non Repaint Fractal 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
How many closed bars does FractalBars 2 wait for?
Two, one for each lower high on the right of the turn. Once both close, the rule holds and the chevron goes on the turn itself, two bars back from the newest bar.
What does ShowSRLines draw?
The most recent confirmed high and low, extended forward as resistance and support. When a newer fractal forms, its line takes over as the current level.
Can FractalBars be raised above 2?
Yes. Three or five bars either side finds fewer, larger turns and delays each mark by the same number of bars, which suits slower charts.
Why can a Down Fractal never move?
Because it only appears once both confirming bars have closed. After that point nothing that happens on later bars can change the low it marks, so the chevron stays where it landed.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Trading involves risk. Results are not guaranteed; past performance is not indicative of future results. Use the Non Repaint Fractal Indicator as one input. Always backtest before trading live.
Category: this is part of our Support and Resistance collection. Browse more Support and Resistance for MetaTrader, or explore every MT4 indicator and MT5 indicator on the site.
External references
- The core method is documented in Securities market participants (United States) on Wikipedia.
- Additional market context is at itrix (TRIX) 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.