Chart Types
There are a variety of chart types available through NinjaTrader. More information regarding each of these can be found below.
- Box: A Box chart draws a rectangle shape for each bar, only showing the highs and lows.
- Candlestick: The Candlestick bar shows four data points per bar, open, close, high and low. A Candlestick bar contains two main sections, the candle body and wick. The candle body marks the open and close price, while the wicks mark the highs and lows.
- Equivolume: A Equivolume is the same as a Candlestick bar with one added feature. The thickness of each bar is based on the volume received in that bar in comparison to others around it.
- Hollow Candlestick: Hollow Candlestick bars are identical to the Standard Candlestick bars, but have a hollow body.
- Kagi Line: The Kagi Line chart implements the Kagi Bar type. More information regarding this chart style can be found on the Bar Types page.
- Line on Close: The Line on Close chart is a line chart that only plots on the closing price.
- Mountain: The Mountain chart is identical to the Line on Close chart, but includes shading under the line chart.
- OHLC: The OHLC chart is similar to the standard candlestick bar with several differences. Small left and right facing flags mark the price levels for each bar. If a right-facing flag is higher than the left-facing flag, this represents an up bar and vice versa. The space between flags represents the Open-to Close price action. The line extending above and below the flag mark the high and low for each bar.
- Open/Close: The Open/Close chart creates bars with only the open and closing price. In an up bar, the bottom of the bar represents the open price, while the top of the bar represents the closing price. This goes vice versa for a down bar.
How to Change the Chart Style in NinjaTrader: Right click your chart and select Data Series. Under Properties, find Chart style and choose the style you want, then click OK. The chart style only changes how each bar is drawn. The bar type, such as minute, tick or range, decides how each bar is built and is set in the same window under Type.
Which Chart Type Should I Use? Candlestick charts are the most widely used for day trading because the body makes it easy to see who controlled each bar. OHLC bars show the same four prices in a more compact way, which some traders prefer on a busy chart. Line on Close and Mountain charts remove the noise inside each bar and are useful for seeing the overall trend or comparing instruments. Equivolume adds volume to the picture by making busier bars wider.
Mistakes to Avoid: Changing the chart style does not change the data, so switching styles will not create a new signal on its own. Pick the style you can read quickly and stay with it, so you learn how price normally looks on your chart. If you use Hollow Candlestick, make sure you understand how its fill and color are decided before relying on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chart type and a bar type? The chart type (chart style) is how a bar is drawn. The bar type is what starts a new bar: time, ticks, volume or price movement. You can combine most chart styles with most bar types. See our bar types guide for the bar types available in NinjaTrader.
Can I use more than one chart type at once? Yes. You can open several charts, or add several data series to one chart, each with its own chart style.
Does the chart type affect my indicators? No. Indicators calculate from the bar data, usually the close, so switching between candlestick, OHLC or a line chart does not change their values. Changing the bar type does, because it changes which bars exist.
Can I save my chart setup? Yes. Once a chart looks the way you want, right click it and save it as a chart template, then load that template on new charts so every chart starts with the same style and indicators.