Williams %R Explained
7/6/2026
indicators
technical
guide
Larry Williams' %R is the stochastic upside-down: 0 to -20 = near recent highs, -80 to -100 = near recent lows.
Level by level
Beginner
Readings near -100 after a dip flag exhaustion; near 0 after a rally flag froth. Same caveats as every oscillator: stretched does not mean reversing.
Intermediate
The classic Williams play: in an uptrend, wait for %R to hit -80 or lower (a dip), then re-cross above -50 as the momentum-return trigger.
Advanced
%R is unsmoothed and fast — pair the trigger with structure (a level) and a candle close, or it's just noise with a famous name.
Common mistakes
- Buying at -100 in a falling knife
- Using %R alone with no trend context
Practise & tools
_Educational content only — not financial advice. Historical behaviour never guarantees future results._
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