Bollinger Bands is similar to price envelopes like ATR Bands. It is one of the most widely used indicators in technical analysis. Though it includes various rules, the application procedure is quite simple. Before stepping forward let’s have some words about the creator of Bollinger Bands. The famous financial analyst and a contributor to the field of technical analysis John Bollinger developed Bollinger Bands in 1980. The statistical chart helps to indicate the price and volatility of the stock by using the formulaic methods of John Bollinger.
Bollinger Bands FAQ
In the Bollinger Bands indicator, by default, the middle band is a 20-period simple moving average. Then lines are plotted at specific standard deviation levels from the middle band. The default standard deviation levels are 2. There is also a mid-band beside the upper and lower band. If the standard deviation is 2, then the upper band is at +2 SD and the lower band is at -2 SD, and the middle band is at zero.
As we know Bollinger Bands consists of three lines, a center line and two outer, overall looks like a band. There is a tendency for the price level to come toward the centerline. The outer lines generally work as a support and resistance level. When the market is less volatile, the outer lines come towards the centerline. The reverse happens in the case of a more volatile market. There is another important technique for bands. The price level is low at the lower band and high at the higher band. The middle line mainly works as a base of the other two lines. The rule of thumb is that 90% of the price action will happen inside the bands.
The indicator works very well and is widely used in creating bullish or bearish positions. In general, when the Bollinger Bands indicator touches the lower band it denotes that the price reaches the oversold zone and can bounce back, and similarly, when the price touches the upper band it denotes that the price has reached the overbought zone and can correct from here. 
It is one of the most useful indicators. This tool is useful to measure volatility. As well as it identifies the overbought and oversold conditions in the market. These bands are very popular among analysts, traders, and investors due to their effectiveness.
When the bands become narrow it indicates that the volatility in the market is very low. A prolonged period of narrow Bollinger Bands condition can trigger a breakout or breakdown in the market and the market will move in the way the price action breaks.
Bollinger Bands Indicator Formula
To compute the particular technique you need to know Standard Deviation Calculation (to measure volatility) first.
- Upper Band= 20-period SMA + (20-day Standard Deviation of price x 2)
- Middle Band = 20-period SMA (Simple Moving Average)
- Lower Band = 20-period SMA – (20-day Standard Deviation of price x 2)
The above script is GLENMARK’s 1-hour price chart, taken from Zerodha Kite. However, it shows the price is at a higher level in the upper band and low in the lower bands. The large gap between the upper and lower bands indicates more volatility in the market.
Few Thumb Rules of Trading with Bollinger Bands Indicator
- Sharp price changes tend to occur after the bands tighten greatly due to a decrease in volatility.
- If prices move outside the bands, we can expect that the price will continue in that direction.
- If bottoms and tops are made outside the bands, followed by bottoms and tops inside the bands, price reversal is imminent.
- After a reversal, the trend originates at one band and tends to finish at another band. We can use these observations to project price targets.
How to set up Bollinger Bands Indicator on charts?
- From the MarketWatch select the stock you are going to trade.
- Open its chart
- From the Studies section go to BollingerBbands and click on it.
- The default parameters window of the indicator will open.
- By default, this indicator uses a 20-day simple moving average and 2 standard deviations which we can change as per our own requirements.
- You can also choose what type of moving average you want to use as the middle band. By default, it is a simple moving average.
- You can also choose the color of the 3 bands as well as the channel fill color.
John Bollinger’s 22 Rules For Using Bollinger Bands
The developer John Bollinger has set 22 rules to trade the Bollinger Bands Indicator. We are listing these rules below:
Rule 01-11
- Bollinger bands define the price level. Low price at the lower band and high price at the upper.
- The bands are considered as a comparison tool between price and indicator action to point out the buy-sell decision.
- Momentum, volume, sentiment, open interest, inter-market data, etc are the important factors in this indicator.
- In the case of more than one indicator, the indicators should not be directly related to one another.
- In order to recognize price patterns such as “M” tops, “W” bottoms, momentum shifts, etc, BB can be used.
- Tags in the bands are not considered signals, like a tag in the upper band is not a sell signal while a tag in the lower band is not a buy signal.
- In a trending market, volatility comes often. Hence, the price walks up to the upper band while down the lower band.
- If the price closes outside the BB, it doesn’t mean the trend reversal is going to appear soon. It means the current trend will continue.
- For MA (Moving Average) and SD (Standard Deviation) calculation, set the default parameters at 20 periods.
- The centerline of BB should not be the best one for crossover.
- With the increase in average, the number of SD needs to be increased. From 2 to 20 periods to 2.1 to 50 periods. On the other hand, when we shorten the average, we also need to reduce the number of SD. From 2 at 20 to 1.9 at 10 periods.
Rule 12-22
- Classical BB is dependent upon an SMA (Simple Moving Average). The reason is SMA is used to calculate SD (Standard Deviation).
- EBB (Exponential Bollinger Bands) avoids sudden changes in the width of the bands. A large price change causes this. The EA generally use in both the center band and in the calculation of SD.
- Based on the use of the standard deviation calculation, it makes no statistical assumptions.
- By using an adaption of the formula for Stochastics, the position within the bands is calculated.
- In order to identify divergence, patterns, and trends, BB is an important tool.
- By eliminating fixed thresholds in the process, indicators can be normalized.
- To find out the width of BB, you need to follow BandWidth. By using the center band, the raw width is normalized.
- In order to identify the changing trend, bandwidth plays a significant role.
- In equity, indices, foreign exchange, future, options, commodities, and bonds, BB can be used.
- We can use BB in any time frame of bars, 5 min, one hour, daily, weekly, etc.
- It helps to identify the odd one and doesn’t provide continuous advice.
Bollinger Bands Trading Strategy
There are many strategies to trade the Bollinger Bands. In fact, I personally use Bollinger Bands or BB for 2-3 different uses. Sometimes we use price moving out of the bands to be the overbought or oversold situation. Sometimes we use the formation and closure of two or consecutive bars out of the bands to indicate a strong trend. Let me discuss two of my favorite Bollinger Bands trading strategies here.
Bollinger Bands Trading Strategy #1
Using Multiple Bands
In this strategy, all you will have to take into consideration for that is that:
- Sixty-eight percent of a typical price action lies between plus or minus of the same standard deviations.
- Ninety-five percent of a typical price action lies between plus or minus 2 standard deviations.
- Ninety-nine percent of a regular price action lies between plus or minus 3 standard deviations.
The setup for multiple Bollinger Bands trading strategy
So depending on this fact, we can use multiple Bollinger Bands to create a complete trading strategy. I have described below the complete setup you will have to put to your DAILY or intraday chart:
There are 6 Bollinger Bands, and they look like the following, you can attach them in your Zerodha Kite charts. This is a simple strategy and you can also use other charting platforms like Metastock or AmiBroker or any other broker’s platform.
- 1st BB (20,1.5) Lime
- 2nd BB (20,2) Yellow
- 3rd BB (20,2.5) Orange
- 4th BB (20,3) Purple
- 5th BB (20,3.5) Red
- And 6th BB (20,4) Blue
Additionally, add an Average True Range or ATR indicator with a parameter of 20. We can use the ATR to calculate our stop loss for the trades taken.
This is a counter-trend trade. So if you are not familiar with counter-trend trading, you first need to learn it. But believe me, counter-trend trades are one of the lowest risk high reward tradings. Because if you can identify the end of a trend you can ride the next and opposite trend with a small risk and high reward. Now watch the image below once again.
I hope you like rainbows! Essentially, you have 13 lines. Each one is resistance or support in this Bollinger Bands trading strategy. I think the best way to show you this method is to show you a lot of examples, so eat your heart out. So, in the example above, let me show you when I would have entered and why.
Bollinger Bands PDF
Download the rest of the article in a Bollinger Bands PDF file by clicking the download link here.
Bollinger Bands Trading Strategy #2
Using Bollinger Bands Squeeze
Yes, that’s my other favorite Bollinger Bands trading strategy and I use it in my charting software Amibroker. Before we go more into the strategy let’s take a look at what is Bollinger Bands Squeeze.
The difference between the top and bottom Bollinger bands (BB) is called the BB range. Sometimes the price is trending and both the bands are expanding and sometimes the Bollinger bands are contracted and the price is in a narrow range. At times of contracted BB, there is a very low BB range. This is also called a Bollinger Band Squeeze. Once the squeeze occurs price tries to break out above or below the tight range and this is a trading opportunity to catch the breakout.
The Bollinger Bands Squeeze Trading Strategy:
- Look for a BB squeeze.
- Note the price range during the squeeze.
- Watch for a breakout OR breakdown above or below the bands.
- Trade the breakout.
- Keep a stop loss using the Parabolic SAR.
- Keep at least a 1:1 OR 1:1.5 target.
For you, I am presenting you with a Bollinger Bands Squeeze AFL for AmiBroker users.
A Practical Example of Bollinger Band Squeeze
Watch yesterday’s intraday chart of GRASIM. Price was moving inside a squeeze (yellow color) for some time and then it has broken down. Trend players can trade short with a stop above the Parabolic SAR value of 747. Check the image below.
Another Counter Trend Bollinger Bands Trading Strategy
We also call it a Head Fake. Watch the example below to see the end-of-day chart of BOSCHLTD below.
- Watch for a BB squeeze.
- Wait for a breakout above OR below.
- Just after the breakout watch for a reversal bar.
- Enter counter-trend trade.
- Keep a stop loss above the last high.
Suggested Reading
I will suggest the book from the original inventor of the indicator: Bollinger on Bollinger Bands. This book explains every little thing you need to know about this mighty indicator.
Conclusion
Bollinger Bands is a real high-profit indicator that we can trade in multiple ways. It shows us the amount of volatility in the market. Similarly, it identifies when a market is overbought or oversold. As 90% of price action generally happens inside the bands, the Bollinger Bands indicator works very well in the rangebound markets. On the other hand, it also helps to identify the market trend as well. 2 consecutive closes outside the bands can denote that the market can trend in that direction for some time now and that can denote the start of a strong trend.
Lastly, I suggest you play with this indicator and try to test new strategies. However, if you find a better strategy do not forget to post it in the comments section below. I will backtest them and add my comments here.
Thank you very much for the rainbow bollinger bans strategy! This completely new to me!
Welcome. Glad that you liked it.