Support is the price point where buying interest steps in and slows a decline. It acts as a floor where demand increases and prevents the market from falling further.
Resistance is the level where selling pressure usually halts a rally. It acts as a ceiling where supply overcomes demand and prevents the price from rising higher.
Traders should view both support and resistance as invisible barriers that reflect the psychology of market participants. They are fundamental trading terms that every forex trader should be familiar with.
Why Support and Resistance Are Important in Forex Trading
Support and resistance are important because they help traders anticipate where price might pause, reverse, or push forward. This understanding builds a natural bridge into the details below
Market Signals
These levels act as signposts in the market, helping traders interpret the balance between supply and demand. They highlight zones where price could stall, bounce back, or push through with strength.
Practical Benefits
When applied thoughtfully, support and resistance allow traders to manage risk more effectively, choose better entry and exit points, and align their strategy with the larger market trend. They provide both structure and foresight in decision-making.
Types of Support and Resistance Levels
Support and resistance do not have a fixed number of categories, but traders generally group them into a few main categories. In practice, you’ll often see three to five types, depending on the level of detail and the analytical approach being used.
In the following sections, we’ll explore five common types of support and resistance that every trader should know.
Horizontal Support and Resistance
Horizontal levels form when price repeatedly reacts to the same zone, creating a clear barrier. A chart showing price bouncing from the same highs or lows highlights this type of level. Patterns like candlestick signals often confirm these areas.
Trendline Support and Resistance
Trendlines connect successive highs or lows, reflecting the prevailing direction of the market. They serve as dynamic support in an uptrend or resistance in a downtrend, helping traders visualize the strength of momentum.
Moving Average as Dynamic Support Resistance
A moving average is more than a smoothing tool. It often acts as a flexible barrier. When price trades above it, the line behaves as support, and when price is below, it can act as resistance. Popular choices include the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
Fibonacci Retracement Levels
Fibonacci retracement ratios highlight levels where markets frequently pause or reverse. By applying them to price swings, traders can spot potential support and resistance zones with mathematical precision.
Psychological Levels (Round Numbers)
Round numbers like 70.00 or 1.5000 in a currency pair often hold special weight. Traders naturally gravitate toward these levels, placing buy and sell orders around them, which gives these zones added significance.
Read more: What Are Support and Resistance in Forex Trading?
