How to Display MACD on TradingView Charts

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is one of the most widely used technical indicators in trading. It helps traders identify potential trend reversals, momentum shifts, and entry or exit points by analyzing the relationship between two moving averages of an asset’s price. If you're using TradingView, one of the most powerful charting platforms available, adding and customizing the MACD indicator is simple — whether you're on desktop or mobile.

This guide walks you through how to display MACD on TradingView, adjust its settings for better analysis, and optimize its visual presentation for improved readability and performance.

How to Add MACD on TradingView (Desktop)

To use MACD on a desktop browser, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Open your chart on TradingView.
2. Click the "Indicators" button at the top of the screen.
3. In the search bar, type macd.
4. Select "Moving Average Convergence Divergence" from the results list.
5. Click the "×" icon to close the indicator window.

The MACD will now appear below your main price chart as a separate oscillator panel. This version uses default settings: Fast Length 12, Slow Length 26, and Signal 9, which are standard across most trading platforms.

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How to Add MACD on TradingView (Mobile)

Using TradingView on mobile? No problem — the process is just as intuitive:

1. Tap the "+" icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select "Indicators" from the menu.
3. Type macd into the search box.
4. Tap on "Moving Average Convergence Divergence".
5. Tap the "×" in the upper right corner to close.

Your MACD indicator will be added instantly beneath the price chart. You can interact with it using touch gestures, including pinch-to-zoom and swipe scrolling.

Customizing MACD Settings

Once added, you can fine-tune the MACD to suit your trading style. To access the settings:

• On PC: Double-click anywhere on the MACD line.
• On Mobile: Tap once on "MACD" and then tap the gear/settings icon (⚙️) that appears.

You’ll see several configuration tabs: Inputs, Style, and Visibility.

Inputs: Adjusting MACD Parameters

This section controls the core calculation logic behind the MACD.

Timeframe

Allows you to apply MACD based on a different timeframe than your current chart (e.g., applying a daily MACD on a 1-hour chart). This is useful for multi-timeframe analysis but should be used cautiously if you're new to trading concepts.

Key Parameters

The classic MACD setup uses these values:

• Fast Length (Short-term EMA): 12
• Slow Length (Long-term EMA): 26
• Signal Smoothing (Signal Line): 9

These numbers represent periods and are typically based on trading days.

Source

Determines which price data point is used for calculations — options include close, open, high, low, or volume. By default, it uses close price, which is recommended unless you have a specific reason to change it.

Oscillator & Signal MA Types

• Oscillator MA Type: Refers to the type of moving average used for the fast and slow lines. Most traders use EMA (Exponential Moving Average) because it gives more weight to recent prices.
• Signal MA Type: The moving average applied to the signal line — again, EMA is standard.

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Style: Visual Customization

Tailor how the MACD looks on your chart for clarity and personal preference.

• Color Settings: Change colors for the histogram, MACD line, and signal line. For example:

  • Histogram: Green (bullish), Red (bearish)
  • MACD Line: Blue
  • Signal Line: Orange
• Use the bar chart icon next to “Color 0” to switch between solid bars, outline bars, or no fill.
• Adjust line thickness and style (solid, dashed) under "MACD" and "Signal".
• Set Precision to control decimal places shown in values — helpful when monitoring small fluctuations.
• Toggle Labels on Price Scale to show or hide numerical labels next to the oscillator scale.
• Enable or disable Values in Status Line to display current MACD readings in the top-left corner of your screen.

Customizing visuals not only enhances readability but also reduces cognitive load during fast-moving market conditions.

Visibility: Timeframe Display Options

Under this tab, you can choose on which timeframes the MACD appears. For instance, you might want MACD visible on all timeframes from 1-minute up to daily charts but hidden on weekly views. This feature helps declutter longer-term charts while maintaining functionality across intraday analysis.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What does MACD stand for?

A: MACD stands for Moving Average Convergence Divergence. It's a momentum oscillator that tracks the relationship between two exponential moving averages to gauge trend strength and potential reversals.

Q: Is the default MACD setting suitable for all markets?

A: The default (12, 26, 9) works well for many assets like stocks and forex. However, for volatile cryptocurrencies or scalping strategies, some traders adjust parameters to shorter periods like (6, 13, 1).

Q: Can I use multiple MACDs on one chart?

A: Yes! You can overlay multiple instances of MACD with different settings or timeframes to compare signals — useful for spotting divergences or confirming trends.

Q: Why isn’t my MACD showing up after adding it?

A: Ensure that visibility isn't turned off for your current timeframe. Also, check if labels are disabled under "Chart Settings > Scale" — this may prevent display even if the indicator is active.

Q: How do I interpret MACD crossovers?

A: When the MACD line crosses above the signal line, it's considered a bullish signal; when it crosses below, it's bearish. Additionally, movement above/below zero indicates positive/negative momentum.

Q: Can I export my custom MACD settings?

A: While TradingView doesn’t allow direct export of individual indicator presets, you can save your entire layout as a template so your preferred settings persist across sessions.

By mastering how to properly display and configure MACD on TradingView, you gain access to a powerful analytical tool that supports informed decision-making in any market environment.

Whether you're analyzing short-term crypto swings or long-term stock trends, combining accurate setup with strategic interpretation can significantly improve your trading edge.

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