What it is
Klinger wanted an indicator that tracked long-term money flow but still turned quickly enough for short-term trades. Using two long EMAs of volume force gives a slow backbone, while the signal line catches turns.
It is a volume indicator, so on gold, US30 and forex CFDs it runs on tick volume and is best read alongside price structure.
How it is calculated
1. Trend: +1 if this candle's high + low + close is above the previous candle's, otherwise -1. 2. Volume force: volume x trend, scaled in Klinger's original by how the candle's range compares with the running range of the current trend (many platforms use the simpler volume x trend). 3. KVO = 34 period EMA of volume force minus the 55 period EMA. 4. Signal line = 13 period EMA of KVO.
Settings
| Setting | Default | Range | What it changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast | 34 | 2 to 200 | The fast EMA of volume force. Lower reacts sooner to a shift in flow. |
| Slow | 55 | 2 to 300 | The slow EMA of volume force. Higher gives a steadier long-term read. |
How to read it
How to trade it
- 1
Use KVO above 0 on a 4 hour gold chart as the long-only filter.
- 2
On the 1 hour chart, wait for a pullback where KVO dips below its signal line.
- 3
Enter long when KVO crosses back above its signal line on a closed candle.
- 4
Stop below the pullback low, for example 8 to 12 points on 1 hour gold.
- 5
Exit on the opposite cross or at 2 times the stop.
The long is cancelled if KVO crosses back below its signal line and price closes below the pullback low.
WickSpeak writes a plain-English reading of the Klinger Oscillator on the live candle: what it is, whether money is flowing in or out right now, how to trade it and what would prove it wrong. In Playbook, a condition can check when KVO crosses above or below its signal line, crosses above or below zero, stays above or below zero, or is rising or falling.
Best markets and timeframes
Best on 1 hour to daily charts. On intraday CFD charts it rests on tick volume, so it adds most value as confirmation of a price setup.
Common mistakes
- Trading every signal cross. With a 13 period signal it crosses often in ranges.
- Expecting every platform's numbers to match. Some use the full Klinger formula and some the simpler volume x trend version.
- Ignoring the zero line, which tells you which side the longer-term flow favours.
Works well with
Questions traders ask
What are the Klinger Oscillator settings?
The standard settings are 34 and 55 for the EMAs of volume force and 13 for the signal line. WickSpeak uses 34 and 55 as defaults.
What is the Klinger Oscillator used for?
It is used to judge long-term money flow while catching short-term turns. Signal line crosses give entries and divergence with price gives warnings.
Why does my Klinger Oscillator look different on other platforms?
There are two common versions: Klinger's full formula, which scales volume by range, and a simplified one using volume x trend direction. They give similar shapes but different values.
Does the Klinger Oscillator work on forex?
It works with the tick volume brokers provide. Use it on 1 hour and higher charts and confirm with price action.