TMA Trend Detector Indicator for MT4 and MT5

Written by Dominic Walsh · Published 13 Jul 2026 · Last updated 9 Sep 2026

A triangular moving average is centred, which means it reads bars on both sides of the one it draws. That makes it smooth and it makes it repaint. The tma trend detector indicator puts that behaviour on a switch, so you choose between the smoother line and one that never moves.

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	6: TMA Up, TMA Down, Upper Band, Lower Band, Buy, Sell
Alerts	popup, push notification, email, sound
Inputs	12

What the Tma trend detector Indicator draws on the chart

Six plots, all on the price chart.

`TMA Up` colours the line lime green.

`TMA Down` colours the same line orange red.

`Upper Band` and `Lower Band` run silver.

`Buy` uses arrow 233 and `Sell` uses arrow 234.

The bands are a range envelope, not deviation.

• TMA Up: line, lime green, width 2
• TMA Down: line, orange red, width 2
• Upper Band: line, silver, width 1
• Lower Band: line, silver, width 1
• Buy: arrow, lime, width 2, arrow code 233
• Sell: arrow, red, width 2, arrow code 234

How the Tma trend detector Indicator calculates its values

Two averaging passes

That is what makes it triangular. `TmaPeriod` `20` runs a simple average, then averages the result again. Weight ends up highest in the middle of the window.

The repaint switch

Centred weighting reads forward. With `NonRepaint` `true` the calculation only looks backward, so a drawn value never changes. Set it false and the line smooths but shifts.

Bands and marks

iATR at `AtrPeriod` `14` sizes the envelope. `BandMult` `2.0` sets its width. A change in line direction prints the mark, offset by `ArrowAtrFrac` `0.6` of the range.

How to read the signals

Line colour is the current direction of the average.

A mark appears where that direction flipped.

Bands widen when the market gets busier.

Price outside a band is unusual rather than a signal.

Leave `NonRepaint` on if a mark must stay put.

Two averaging passes make the line very smooth.

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

`EnableAlerts` is the master switch over the flip alerts and ships true with `EnablePopup`. `EnablePushNotify` pushes to the mobile terminal, `EnableEmail` sends mail and `EnableSound` plays `SoundFile`. Those three start off.

Every Tma trend detector Indicator input

Core settings

Setting	What it does	Default
TmaPeriod	TMA period (each SMA pass). Bars in each averaging pass, `20`.	20
AtrPeriod	ATR period for the envelope. Bars behind the range figure, `14`.	14
BandMult	Envelope width (x ATR). Envelope width in ranges, `2.0`.	2.0
NonRepaint	true = backward-only (non-repaint). Backward-only build, `true`.	on

Display settings

Setting	What it does	Default
ShowBands	draw the ATR envelope. Draw the envelope, `true`.	on
ArrowAtrFrac	arrow offset (x ATR). Mark offset in ranges, `0.6`.	0.6

Alert settings

Setting	What it does	Default
EnableAlerts	master alert switch. Master switch, `true`.	on
EnablePopup	popup alert. Box in the terminal, `true`.	on
EnablePushNotify	push to mobile MetaTrader.	off
EnableEmail	email alert. Mail on a flip, `false`.	off
EnableSound	sound alert.	off
SoundFile	Which clip plays, `”alert.wav”`.	alert.wav

Settings that fit your chart

Twenty bars run twice is a slow line by design. EURUSD H1 is the reference chart. Direction flips come a couple of times a week there. On M5 the line barely turns within a session. On H4 each flip marks a real trend change.

When the Tma trend detector Indicator fails

Two averaging passes lag more than one.

With the switch off, a drawn value can move.

In a range the direction flips without follow-through.

The bands measure range, so they say nothing about direction.

Copy the compiled Tma trend detector 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 Tma trend detector Indicator for MT4 and MT5

The zip holds the compiled Tma trend detector 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

Does the TMA Up line move once it is drawn?

Not with `NonRepaint` `true`. The average then reads only backward, so a printed value stays put. Set it false and the centred weighting reads forward bars, which smooths the line but shifts its recent values as new bars arrive.

Why does TmaPeriod run two passes?

Because that is what makes an average triangular. Averaging an average puts the most weight in the middle of the window, which gives a far smoother line than a single pass at the same length.

How does BandMult 2.0 size the envelope?

It multiplies the current range reading, so each band sits two average ranges from the line. That makes the envelope widen in a busy market and tighten in a quiet one automatically.

Should ShowBands stay on?

It depends what you want from the chart. The bands add context about how far price has stretched from the average, but with six plots already drawn some traders prefer the line and marks alone.

Are results guaranteed?

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