Parabolic SAR on a higher timeframe works like a slow trailing stop you can watch from a faster chart. The parabolic SAR MTF indicator reads Wilder’s SAR from the H4 chart, draws its dots on your chart, and marks the start of a new H4 bar when the dots have switched to the other side of price.
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 | 3: SAR MTF, Buy, Sell |
| Alerts | popup, push notification, email, sound |
| Inputs | 9 |
Output you can see
Dots and two marks on price.
`SAR MTF` dots dodger blue with code 159.
`Buy` prints lime at width 2 with arrow 233.
`Sell` prints red at width 2 with arrow 234.
A status block shows the H4 SAR and trend.
`InpArrowGap` `12` sets the mark gap.
- SAR MTF: arrow, dodger blue, width 1, arrow code 159
- Buy: arrow, lime, width 2, arrow code 233
- Sell: arrow, red, width 2, arrow code 234
Following the source
The source
`InpHTF` `PERIOD_H4` supplies the SAR. Each bar on your chart shows the value for the H4 bar covering it.
The SAR
`InpSARStep` `0.02` sets how fast the dots speed up, and `InpSARMax` `0.20` caps it. These are Wilder’s own values.
The flip
A buy prints on the first bar of a new H4 period when the SAR moved from above price to below it. Sells mirror this.
How to judge the output
Dots below price mean the H4 trend is up.
Dots above price mean it is down.
Dots step once per H4 bar.
Marks appear only at H4 boundaries.
One flip gives one mark.
The status block names the current trend.
Alert channels in this build: popup, push notification, email and sound, one message per closed bar.
An H4 SAR flip sends a message at the start of the new H4 bar. `EnableAlerts` is the master switch; the popup and the sound ship on, with email and mobile off.
Every Parabolic Sar Mtf Indicator input
Core settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
InpHTF |
Higher timeframe. Timeframe the SAR comes from, `PERIOD_H4`. | PERIOD_H4 |
InpSARStep |
Parabolic SAR step. Acceleration step, `0.02`. | 0.02 |
InpSARMax |
Parabolic SAR max. Acceleration cap, `0.20`. | 0.20 |
Display settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
InpArrowGap |
Arrow gap (points). Mark gap in points, `12`. | 12 |
Alert settings
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
EnableAlerts |
Master alert switch. Master alert switch, `true`. | on |
EnablePopup |
Popup alert. Popup, `true`. | on |
EnableSound |
Sound alert. Sound, ships on, `true`. | on |
EnableEmail |
Email alert. Email route, `false`. | off |
EnablePush |
Push notification. Mobile route, `false`. | off |
Markets and timeframes
An H4 SAR suits M15 and H1 charts. EURUSD H1 is the reference chart, where a flip comes every few days. On M5 each H4 dot spans forty-eight bars. Switch `InpHTF` to D1 for H4 charts.
Its weaknesses
The current H4 dot can still change.
SAR flips often in sideways markets.
Marks wait for the next H4 bar.
The sound route ships on.
Copy the compiled Parabolic Sar Mtf 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 Parabolic Sar Mtf Indicator for MT4 and MT5
The zip holds the compiled Parabolic Sar Mtf 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
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FAQ
Why do SAR MTF dots move in steps?
Every bar on your chart shows the SAR of the H4 bar covering its time. Four hourly bars share one H4 value, so the dots form flat steps.
When does a Buy print after a flip?
On the first bar of a new H4 period where the SAR has moved from above price to below it. Flips inside an H4 bar wait for that boundary.
Why keep InpSARStep 0.02 and InpSARMax 0.20?
They are Wilder’s original values and the MT4 defaults. Raising the step makes the dots chase price faster and flip more often, which suits only very fast trends.
Can InpHTF be set to the daily chart?
Yes. The dots then follow the daily SAR, which suits H4 charts. Keep the source at least one step above the chart you trade, or the dots simply copy it.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Trading involves risk. Results are not guaranteed; past performance is not indicative of future results. Use the Parabolic Sar Mtf Indicator as one input. Always backtest before trading live.
Category: this is part of our Signal and Forecast collection. Browse more Signal and Forecast for MetaTrader, or explore every MT4 indicator and MT5 indicator on the site.
External references
- Learn more about the underlying method in Peter Bossaerts on Wikipedia.
- For wider market background, see Leverage at Investopedia.
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.