What is the ascending triangle pattern?
The ascending triangle is a bullish continuation pattern. A flat ceiling with higher lows pressing into it. Each pullback is shallower than the last.
How to spot an ascending triangle
- 1Draw a flat line across highs that keep stopping at the same level.
- 2Draw a rising line under the lows: each pullback ends higher.
- 3Watch for a close above the flat ceiling.
How does the ascending triangle form?
A flat ceiling with higher lows pressing into it. Each pullback stops shorter than the last while the highs stay level.
How do you confirm a ascending triangle?
Buyers paying up sooner every time is what eventually cracks the ceiling. Count the touches: two lows and two highs are the minimum for the lines to mean anything.
When does the ascending triangle fail?
The apex is a deadline. Price that reaches the point without breaking usually drifts out of the shape sideways, and the lines stop describing anything.
No chart pattern works every time. The examples on this page were chosen because they show the pattern clearly, and in real markets patterns fail often.
Practice on real charts
3 real examples of the ascending triangle, cut off where the pattern completed. Make your call, then see what happened.
The shaded area is a ascending triangle. Where did price go next?
Ascending Triangle: common questions
Is the ascending triangle bullish or bearish?
The ascending triangle is bullish. Buyers paying up sooner every time is what eventually cracks the ceiling.
How do you spot an ascending triangle?
Draw a flat line across highs that keep stopping at the same level. Draw a rising line under the lows: each pullback ends higher. Watch for a close above the flat ceiling.
What is the difference between the ascending triangle and the descending triangle?
The ascending triangle: A flat ceiling with higher lows pressing into it. Each pullback is shallower than the last. The descending triangle: A flat floor with lower highs pressing down onto it. Rallies die earlier each time.
How reliable is the ascending triangle?
No chart pattern works every time. The apex is a deadline. Price that reaches the point without breaking usually drifts out of the shape sideways, and the lines stop describing anything. That is why it helps to wait for confirmation and to practice on many real examples before relying on it.
How can I practice spotting the ascending triangle?
Use the real charts on this page: each one stops where the ascending triangle completed, so you can make a call and then see what happened. The free Chartle app mixes the ascending triangle in with 48 other patterns in short daily sessions.
Keep learning
- Chart pattern gameGuess where price goes next on real charts, all 49 patterns mixed.
- All 49 chart patternsEvery bullish and bearish pattern, with a printable cheat sheet.
- How to read candlestick chartsBodies, wicks and colors explained from the start.
- Cheat sheet PDFAll patterns on two printable pages.
