SMA Crossover Indicator: Four Smoothing Methods

Written by Dominic Walsh · Published 9 Jul 2026 · Last updated 9 Sep 2026

The sma crossover indicator builds both averages itself rather than calling the terminal. That choice buys one useful thing. `MaMethod` switches all four smoothing types through the same code path. So you can compare a simple pair against an exponential pair, with nothing else changed.

This build ships as a compiled .ex4 for MT4 and .ex5 for MT5.

Platforms	MT4 (.ex4) + MT5 (.ex5)
Chart window	Main price chart
Plots	4: Fast MA, Slow MA, Buy, Sell
Alerts	popup, push notification, email, sound
Inputs	10

What the Sma Crossover Indicator draws on the chart

Fast MA is the dodger blue line at `FastPeriod` `10` bars.

Slow MA is the orange line at `SlowPeriod` `30` bars.

Buy drops a lime arrow where blue crosses above orange.

Sell puts a red arrow above the bar for the reverse.

• Fast MA: line, dodger blue, width 2
• Slow MA: line, orange, width 2
• Buy: arrow, lime, arrow code 233
• Sell: arrow, red, arrow code 234

How the Sma Crossover Indicator calculates its values

Two ways to average

Recursive methods use a single constant k. For an exponential average k takes 2 over period plus one. For a smoothed average it takes 1 over period. Each bar then blends the new price with the previous value using that constant.

Weighted and simple windows

A linear weighted average walks the window. It weights each bar by period minus its position, so the newest bar counts most. A simple average weights every bar the same. Both divide by the total weight, which keeps the result on the price scale.

Marking the crossing

crossUp needs the fast buffer above the slow one now and at or below it on the previous bar. crossDown mirrors that. gap takes `ArrowGap` `10.0` times Point, which places the mark clear of the candle.

How to read the signals

Switching `MaMethod` changes when crossings happen, sometimes by several bars.

A simple pair reacts slowest and gives the fewest crossings.

Linear weighting sits between simple and exponential in responsiveness.

Compare methods on the same chart before settling on one.

Alert channels in this build: popup, push notification, email and sound, one message per closed bar.

`EnableAlerts` ships on and `EnablePopup` carries the message. `EnablePushNotify`, `EnableEmail` and `EnableSound` stay off by default. `SoundFile` names the clip. The cross test reads completed bars, so one message follows each closed bar.

Every Sma Crossover Indicator input

Core settings

Setting	What it does	Default
FastPeriod	Fast moving-average period. Fast average length, default `10`.	10
SlowPeriod	Slow moving-average period. Slow average length, default `30`.	30
MaMethod	Smoothing method (SMA/EMA/SMMA/LWMA). Smoothing type, default MODE_SMA. The other choices are exponential, smoothed and linear weighted.	MODE_SMA

Display settings

Setting	What it does	Default
ArrowGap	Arrow offset in points. Arrow offset in points, default `10.0`.	10.0

Alert settings

Setting	What it does	Default
EnableAlerts	Switches the cross alerts on as a group, default `true`.	on
EnablePopup	Raises the terminal dialog on a cross, default `true`.	on
EnablePushNotify	Sends the cross to the MetaTrader mobile app, default `false`.	off
EnableEmail	Mails the cross through the terminal, default `false`.	off
EnableSound	Plays a file when a cross prints, default `false`.	off
SoundFile	Name of the wav file the cross alert uses, default `alert.wav`.	alert.wav

Settings that fit your chart

Any crossing pair suits trends and struggles in ranges. This one is no exception. On M15 a 10 and 30 pair crosses several times a session. On H1 and H4 the pair separates for longer stretches. Pick the smoothing to match: simple for patience, exponential for speed.

When the Sma Crossover Indicator fails

Crossings lag by construction, whichever smoothing method you choose.

A range produces crossings in both directions with no move behind either.

Changing `MaMethod` after tuning the periods can move every signal, so tune them together.

Copy the compiled Sma Crossover 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 Sma Crossover Indicator: Shareholder benefit on Wikipedia, trading advisories at the CFTC.

Download the Sma Crossover Indicator for MT4 and MT5

The zip holds the compiled Sma Crossover 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.

FAQ

What does MaMethod change about the lines?

How the window is weighted. MODE_SMA treats every bar equally. The exponential and smoothed settings run a recursion with a single constant. Linear weighting counts recent bars more heavily inside a fixed window. All four use the same `FastPeriod` and `SlowPeriod`.

Why does MaMethod need its own averages?

So all four methods share one code path and one crossing test. It also means the buffers hold the values the crossing test reads, rather than fetching them again. The numbers match the terminal averages either way.

How is ArrowGap measured?

In points, at `10.0` by default. The code multiplies by Point, so on a five-digit feed that is one pip below the low or above the high. Raise it on instruments with large candles where the mark sits too close to the bar.

Does FastPeriod at 10 suit M15?

It gives a busy chart. Ten M15 bars is two and a half hours, so the fast line follows price closely and crosses often. Traders on that timeframe usually stretch both periods or switch `MaMethod` to a slower setting.

Are results guaranteed?

No. Trading involves risk. Results are not guaranteed; past performance is not indicative of future results. Use the Sma Crossover Indicator as one input. Always backtest before trading live.