Best TradingView Indicators for 2025: Custom Settings Included

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Written By Mind Math Money

Table of Contents

Prefer to see these TradingView indicators in action? Watch this detailed YouTube video where I demonstrate exactly how to set up and use each custom indicator in real-time on actual charts. The video includes additional tips and visual examples that complement this guide.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom MACD settings (8-24-9) react faster to momentum changes, helping you spot reversals earlier through divergence patterns

  • Pro-level MACD settings (3-10-16) used by famous traders like Linda Raschke are excellent for day trading and identifying strong momentum moves

  • The 20-20-20 Pivot Point setting identifies only the most significant support and resistance levels, creating more reliable trading zones

  • Volume Footprint Delta visualization reveals the net buying/selling pressure behind price movements, validating breakouts and trend strength

  • TradingView Premium access unlocks powerful features like Volume Footprint, which is essential for detailed order flow analysis

Introduction

Are you looking to elevate your trading in 2025? The right TradingView indicators - with optimal settings - can transform your market analysis from guesswork to precision. While most traders use standard indicator configurations, professional traders know that customized settings are often the key to gaining an edge.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll reveal my three best TradingView indicators for 2025 along with exact parameter adjustments that can significantly improve their effectiveness. These aren't just random tweaks—they're carefully calibrated settings used by professional traders to spot reversals faster, identify high-probability support/resistance zones, and validate breakouts with volume analysis.

Whether you're day trading cryptocurrencies, swing trading stocks, or analyzing forex markets, these indicator configurations will help you make more informed trading decisions across any timeframe.

Custom MACD Settings (Spot Reversals Fast)

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is one of the most versatile indicators in any trader's toolkit, but few realize how much more effective it becomes with slight modifications to its parameters.

How to Set Up the Custom MACD

To access this indicator in TradingView:

  1. Click on the "Indicators" tab at the top of your chart

  2. Search for "MACD" and select the standard "Moving Average Convergence Divergence"

  3. Open the settings by clicking the gear icon

  4. Go to the "Inputs" tab

  5. Change the Fast Length from 12 to 8

  6. Change the Slow Length from 26 to 24

  7. Keep the Signal Smoothing at 9

  8. Optional: Change the histogram color to white for better visibility

  9. Optional: Uncheck the signal line for a cleaner view

The standard MACD uses 12 and 26 periods, but our custom 8-24-9 setting makes the indicator more responsive to momentum shifts in the market. This adjustment allows the MACD to react faster to potential trend changes without significantly increasing false signals.

Custom MACD Settings at a Glance

Fast Length
8
Standard: 12
Slow Length
24
Standard: 26
Signal Smoothing
9
Keep default

Why These Settings Work Better

  • ✓ More responsive to momentum shifts
  • ✓ Earlier detection of potential reversals
  • ✓ Clearer divergence patterns
  • ✓ Faster signals without significantly increasing false positives
💡 Tip: For cleaner analysis, try hiding the signal line and focusing on the MACD line and histogram only.
⚠️ Remember: Always confirm MACD signals with price action or other indicators for best results.

How to Use the Custom MACD Effectively

This MACD configuration excels at identifying divergences—one of the most powerful reversal signals in technical analysis. Here's how to spot them:

Bullish Divergence:

  • Price creates a lower low

  • MACD creates a higher low

  • Signals a potential upward reversal

Bearish Divergence:

  • Price creates a higher high

  • MACD creates a lower high

  • Signals a potential downward reversal

This divergence often appears before the actual price reversal, giving you time to prepare for a potential trade. By using the faster 8-24-9 setting, you'll spot these divergences earlier than traders using standard parameters.

As I observed in a recent Bitcoin chart analysis, a clear bullish divergence formed at a support level—price made a lower low while the MACD formed a higher low. This divergence preceded a significant upward move that would have been profitable to anticipate.

Pro-Level MACD Raschke Settings (For Day Traders & Swing Traders)

For those who want to take their MACD analysis to the next level, let me introduce you to an advanced configuration popularized by legendary trader Linda Raschke and also used by professional trader Adam Grimes.

How to Set Up the Raschke MACD

  1. Open a new MACD indicator on your chart (you can have multiple MACDs)

  2. In the settings, change the following parameters:

    • Fast Length: 3

    • Slow Length: 10

    • Signal Smoothing: 16

    • Oscillator MA Type: SMA (Simple Moving Average)

    • Signal Line MA Type: SMA

This creates an extremely responsive MACD that excels at identifying short-term momentum shifts—perfect for day traders who need to make quick decisions.

Linda Raschke MACD Settings

Fast Length
3
Ultra-responsive
Slow Length
10
Short timeframe
Signal Smoothing
16
Reduces noise
MA Type
SMA
For both lines

Best Use Cases

  • ⚡ Day trading & short-term scalping
  • ⚡ Identifying high-momentum moves
  • ⚡ Finding entry points after pullbacks
  • ⚡ Ultra-early detection of momentum shifts
👑 Pro Tip: This exact configuration is used by professional traders like Linda Raschke and Adam Grimes for short-term trading strategies.
⚠️ Caution: Due to high sensitivity, these settings may generate more signals. Best combined with other confirmation tools.

Why These Settings Work So Well

The Raschke MACD (3-10-16) is specifically designed to identify strong momentum moves with minimal lag. The very short 3-period fast length makes this indicator highly sensitive to recent price changes, while the 16-period signal smoothing helps filter out some of the noise.

This configuration is particularly valuable for:

  • Day trading and short-term swing trading

  • Identifying the beginning of strong momentum moves

  • Finding optimal entry points after pullbacks in trending markets

One of the key insights I've gained from using this indicator is that after strong momentum moves (identified by steep MACD movements), markets often experience significant pullbacks. These pullbacks frequently provide excellent entry opportunities in the direction of the larger trend.

The Raschke MACD settings have become increasingly popular among professional traders because they provide earlier signals than standard configurations—giving you a potential edge over others using default parameters.

Advanced Pivot Point Strategy (For PERFECT Support/Resistance)

Finding reliable support and resistance levels is fundamental to successful trading, and the Pivot Points High Low indicator is extraordinarily effective when configured correctly.

The 20-20-20 Setting: Why It's Superior

Most traders use Pivot Points with standard 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 settings, but after extensive testing, I've found that the 20-20-20 configuration produces far more significant and reliable levels. Here's how to set it up:

  1. Click on the "Indicators" tab in TradingView

  2. Search for "Pivot Points High Low" and select it

  3. In the settings, change all three length values to 20

  4. Optional: Change the text color to black for better visibility

The longer calculation period of 20 bars means that only the most significant pivot points will be displayed on your chart. This effectively filters out minor fluctuations and focuses your attention on the key price levels that truly matter.

Advanced Pivot Points Settings

Left Length
20
Standard: 10
Right Length
20
Standard: 10
Middle Length
20
Standard: 10
20-20-20 vs Standard Settings
Standard (10-10-10)
More points, less significant
Advanced (20-20-20)
Fewer points, more significant

Key Advantages

  • 🎯 Identifies only the most significant support/resistance levels
  • 🎯 Reduces chart noise by filtering out minor pivot points
  • 🎯 Creates clearer trading zones with higher probability of price reaction
  • 🎯 Perfect for drawing key horizontal levels that persist across timeframes
💡 Strategy Tip: Look for clusters of multiple pivot points at similar price levels. These "pivot clusters" indicate the strongest support and resistance zones.

How to Identify High-Probability Support and Resistance Zones

The real power of this indicator comes from identifying clusters of pivot points at similar price levels. Here's my strategy:

  1. Look for areas where multiple pivot points appear at approximately the same price

  2. The more pivot points clustered together, the stronger the support/resistance zone

  3. Draw horizontal lines connecting these clusters to create your key levels

  4. Pay special attention to price reaction when it approaches these zones

In the Bitcoin daily chart example I analyzed, there was a clear resistance level with four pivot points clustered at nearly the same price. This level repeatedly rejected price until it finally broke through—resulting in a massive rally. This type of pivot point analysis allows you to identify the most important structural levels in the market with remarkable precision.

Trading with these significant levels gives you a framework for placing strategic entries, exits, and stop losses with a higher probability of success than using arbitrary support/resistance methods.

Volume Footprint Delta Setup (For Professional Price Analysis)

For traders ready to take their analysis to an institutional level, the Volume Footprint chart provides unparalleled insight into the buying and selling pressure behind price movements.

Accessing Volume Footprint (TradingView Premium Required)

Unlike the previous indicators, Volume Footprint is a premium TradingView feature. However, you can try it free for 30 days with this special link that also provides a $15 bonus if you decide to upgrade.

To set up the Volume Footprint chart:

  1. Go to the "Chart" tab in TradingView (not the Indicators tab)

  2. Select "Volume Footprint" from the chart types

  3. Right-click on the chart and go to Settings

  4. Change the Type from "Buy & Sell" to "Delta"

  5. Keep the ATR length at 14

Understanding the Delta Volume Footprint

The Delta setting shows the net difference between buying and selling volume at each price level, revealing which side (buyers or sellers) is more aggressive. This provides critical context that price alone cannot show:

  • Green boxes: Net buying pressure (more aggressive buyers than sellers)

  • Red boxes: Net selling pressure (more aggressive sellers than buyers)

  • Box size: The larger the box, the greater the volume imbalance

This visualization allows you to see not just what the price is doing, but how much genuine buying or selling pressure is behind each move—information that's typically only available to institutional traders.

Using Volume Footprint for Breakout Validation

One of the most powerful applications of Volume Footprint is validating breakouts. A true breakout should be accompanied by increasing volume and buying pressure:

  1. Identify a key resistance level (perhaps using the Pivot Points method above)

  2. When price breaks above this level, check the Volume Footprint

  3. A legitimate breakout will show large green delta boxes (strong buying)

  4. Weak breakouts with small or red delta boxes are more likely to fail

In the Bitcoin example, when price broke through the pivot point resistance level, we saw a significant increase in green delta volumes—confirming strong buying pressure behind the move. This volume confirmation increased the probability that the breakout would continue rather than fail.

The Volume Footprint Delta is particularly valuable in crypto markets, where liquidity can be thin and false breakouts common.

PREMIUM FEATURE

Unlock Volume Footprint Delta Analysis

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  • ✓ Visualize net buying vs. selling pressure at each price level
  • ✓ Validate breakouts with volume confirmation
  • ✓ Identify true market strength vs. false moves
  • ✓ Trade with institutional-level order flow analysis
Get TradingView Premium →
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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Which TradingView indicator is best for beginners?

For beginners, the custom MACD with 8-24-9 settings is the most accessible. It's easy to set up, visually clear to interpret, and effective for spotting market reversals through divergences. The MACD is widely used and documented, making it easier to learn from various educational resources. Focus on mastering one indicator thoroughly before adding others to your analysis.

Do I need TradingView Premium for these indicators?

Two of the three indicators (Custom MACD and Pivot Points) are available on the free TradingView plan. However, the Volume Footprint indicator requires a TradingView Premium subscription. You can try TradingView Premium for free for 30 days and get a $15 bonus if you decide to upgrade afterward.

How do I know which indicator settings are best for my trading timeframe?

As a general rule, use the custom MACD (8-24-9) for daily charts and swing trading, the Raschke MACD (3-10-16) for intraday and day trading, and the 20-20-20 Pivot Points for identifying significant levels across all timeframes. The best approach is to backtest these settings on your preferred timeframes and markets to see which produces the most reliable signals for your specific trading style.

Can these indicators be combined into a single trading strategy?

Yes, these indicators complement each other extremely well. Use Pivot Points to identify key support and resistance zones, the MACD to spot potential reversals through divergence, and Volume Footprint to confirm whether there's sufficient buying or selling pressure behind the move. This multi-indicator approach provides a more comprehensive view of market conditions and can significantly improve your trade timing and confidence.

How often should I adjust indicator settings for optimal performance?

While the settings shared in this article are robust across most market conditions, it's good practice to review their performance quarterly. If you notice decreasing effectiveness, consider minor adjustments (±2-3 points) to the parameters. Market dynamics evolve over time, particularly in terms of volatility and trading volume. The most important factor is consistency—once you find settings that work for your trading style, stick with them long enough to properly evaluate their effectiveness.

Test Your TradingView Indicator Knowledge

Test Your TradingView Indicator Knowledge

What is the recommended fast length setting for the custom MACD indicator featured in this article?

What is the purpose of the "delta" setting in the Volume Footprint indicator?

Which setting creates more significant pivot points for support and resistance?

Which famous trader popularized the 3-10-16 MACD settings?

What is a bullish divergence in the MACD indicator?

Conclusion

The three TradingView indicators we've explored—Custom MACD, Advanced Pivot Points, and Volume Footprint Delta—represent a powerful toolkit for traders in 2025. While most traders use default settings, the custom configurations shared in this guide can provide a significant edge by:

  1. Detecting potential reversals earlier with the 8-24-9 MACD settings

  2. Spotting high-momentum opportunities with the Raschke 3-10-16 MACD configuration

  3. Identifying truly significant support and resistance levels with 20-20-20 Pivot Points

  4. Validating price movements with Volume Footprint Delta analysis

Remember that no indicator is perfect on its own. The most robust trading approach combines these tools into a cohesive system. For example, use Pivot Points to identify key levels, MACD to spot potential reversals at those levels, and Volume Footprint to confirm sufficient buying or selling pressure.

I encourage you to implement these custom indicator settings in your own trading and observe how they improve your market analysis. For a deeper dive into any of these indicators, check out my full-length courses on each topic in the links below.

Which of these indicators will you try first? If you've already tested them, which custom setting has been most valuable for your trading style? Share your experience in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before trading.

Read More on Mind Math Money

Linda Raschke Trading Strategy: MACD Indicator Settings

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Volume Footprint Charts: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

Learn how to read buying and selling volume with advanced volume footprint analysis techniques.

The Pivot Point Trading Strategy: TradingView Pivot Point Indicator

Discover how to use pivot points to identify key support and resistance levels for high-probability trades.

The Ultimate TradingView Tutorial for 2025 and Beyond

Master the complete TradingView platform with this comprehensive guide to all features and functions.

Unlock the Power of TradingView Premium

Take your trading to the next level with the exact tools and features needed to implement the custom indicator strategies in this article

About the Author: Mind Math Money

I bought my first stock at 16, and since then, financial markets have fascinated me. Understanding how human behavior shapes market structure and price action is both intellectually and financially rewarding.

I’ve always loved teaching—helping people have their “aha moments” is an amazing feeling. That’s why I created Mind Math Money to share insights on trading, technical analysis, and finance.

Over the years, I’ve built a community of over 200,000 YouTube followers, all striving to become better traders. Check out my YouTube channel for more insights and tutorials.

Mind Math Money
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