Volume Pressure in a whole new light for ThinkOrSwim

dap711 · Oct 13, 2025

I like my indicators to be easy on the eyes and intuitive just by a quick look. So, here is a volume pressure indicator that not only measures the chart asset, but it calculates the Magnificent 7, QQQ, and SPY. When the colors are all the same enter the trade! Can be used on any time frame.

SQL:

declare lower;

# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#  Inputs
# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
input PaintBars         = yes;

# Volume Pressure Inputs
input Volume_AvgType    = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL;
input Volume_Length     = 14;
input Volume_AvgLength  = 200;

# Moving Average Inputs
input MovAvg_AvgType    = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL;
input MovAvg_Price      = close;
input MovAvg_Length     = 20;

# ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#  Raw Data
# ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
def vol        = volume;
def selling    = vol * (high - close) / (high - low);
def buying     = vol * (close - low) / (high - low);

def buyV_ma   = MovingAverage(Volume_AvgType, buying, Volume_Length);
def sellV_ma  = MovingAverage(Volume_AvgType, selling, Volume_Length);

def MA        = MovingAverage(MovAvg_AvgType, MovAvg_Price, MovAvg_Length);

addlabel(yes, GetSymbol() +": " + round(buyV_ma - sellV_ma,0), if buyV_ma > sellV_ma then color.cyan else color.red);

plot Dot_Cyan = if buyV_ma > sellV_ma and close > MA then 1 else Double.NaN;
Dot_Cyan.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Dot_Cyan.SetLineWeight(3);
Dot_Cyan.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);

plot Dot_Red  = if buyV_ma < sellV_ma and close < MA then 1 else Double.NaN;
Dot_Red.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Dot_Red.SetLineWeight(3);
Dot_Red.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

plot pos2Line = 2;
plot pos1Line = 1;
plot ZeroLine = 0;
plot neg1Line = -1;
plot neg2Line = -2;



AssignPriceColor(
    if PaintBars and !IsNaN(Dot_Cyan) then Color.CYAN
    else if PaintBars and !IsNaN(Dot_Red) then Color.RED
    else Color.GRAY
);

# ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#  4) Magnificent Seven aggregate dots at 0/100
# ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
script VolumePressure {
    input sym = "AAPL";
    def o = open(sym);
    def h = high(sym);
    def l = low(sym);
    def c = close(sym);
    def v = volume(sym);

    def uw  = if c>o then h-c else h-o;
    def lw  = if c>o then o-l else c-l;
    def sp  = h - l;
    def bd  = sp - (uw + lw);
    def pctB= bd / sp;
    def pctW= (uw + lw) / sp;

    def buyR  = if c>o then (pctB + pctW/2) * v else (pctW/2) * v;
    def sellR = if c<o then (pctB + pctW/2) * v else (pctW/2) * v;

    plot Buy  = MovingAverage(AverageType.EXPONENTIAL, buyR, 14);
    plot Sell = MovingAverage(AverageType.EXPONENTIAL, sellR, 14);
}

def avgBuy  = ( VolumePressure("AAPL").Buy +
                VolumePressure("MSFT").Buy +
                VolumePressure("GOOGL").Buy +
                VolumePressure("AMZN").Buy +
                VolumePressure("META").Buy +
                VolumePressure("TSLA").Buy +
                VolumePressure("NVDA").Buy ) / 7;

def avgSell = ( VolumePressure("AAPL").Sell +
                VolumePressure("MSFT").Sell +
                VolumePressure("GOOGL").Sell +
                VolumePressure("AMZN").Sell +
                VolumePressure("META").Sell +
                VolumePressure("TSLA").Sell +
                VolumePressure("NVDA").Sell ) / 7;

addlabel(yes, "Mag 7: " + round(avgBuy - avgSell,0), if avgBuy > avgSell then color.cyan else color.red);
plot Cyan_M7 = if avgBuy > avgSell then -1 else Double.NaN;
Cyan_M7.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Cyan_M7.SetLineWeight(3);
Cyan_M7.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);
plot Red_M7  = if avgBuy < avgSell then -1 else Double.NaN;
Red_M7.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Red_M7.SetLineWeight(3);
Red_M7.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

def qqqBuy  =  VolumePressure("QQQ").Buy;
def qqqSell  =  VolumePressure("QQQ").Sell;
addlabel(yes, "QQQ: " + round(qqqBuy - qqqSell,0), if qqqBuy > qqqSell then color.cyan else color.red);
plot Cyan_QQQ = if qqqBuy > qqqSell then -2 else Double.NaN;
Cyan_QQQ.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Cyan_QQQ.SetLineWeight(3);
Cyan_QQQ.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);
plot Red_QQQ  = if qqqBuy < qqqSell then -2 else Double.NaN;
Red_QQQ.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Red_QQQ.SetLineWeight(3);
Red_QQQ.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

def spyBuy  =  VolumePressure("SPY").Buy;
def spySell  =  VolumePressure("SPY").Sell;
addlabel(yes, "SPY: " + round(spyBuy - spySell,0), if spyBuy > spySell then color.cyan else color.red);
plot Cyan_SPY = if spyBuy > spySell then -3 else Double.NaN;
Cyan_SPY.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Cyan_SPY.SetLineWeight(3);
Cyan_SPY.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);
plot Red_SPY  = if spyBuy < spySell then -3 else Double.NaN;
Red_SPY.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Red_SPY.SetLineWeight(3);
Red_SPY.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

Nomak · Oct 29, 2025

I noticed something on the NQ 1-minute chart (October 14th, 2025). At 12:11 PM, the price bar was painted cyan even though the histogram stack showed cyan/red/red/red. It looks like the bar color defaults to whichever histogram color is active for the first (top) histogram layer from 0 to 1.

I’ve also seen cases where the bar turns gray when that top histogram is neutral (gray), even if lower layers show clear directional bias. Thought I’d mention it in case the paint logic is intended to reflect the full stack (consensus-based) rather than just the first histogram.

dap711 · Oct 29, 2025

A picture is worth a thousand words.

The asset is measured with a moving average:

Code:

# Moving Average Inputs
input MovAvg_AvgType = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL;
input MovAvg_Price = close;
input MovAvg_Length = 20;

So if volume pressure is a buy but the closing price is below the MA .. you get a gray bar. Vice-versa for sell.

All of the stacks are calculated individually, so the only relation I look for is confluence.

(rare glimpse of my chart setup)

dap711 · Oct 29, 2025

Nomak said:
I noticed something on the NQ 1-minute chart (October 14th, 2025). At 12:11 PM, the price bar was painted cyan even though the histogram stack showed cyan/red/red/red.

Not all assets move with the market. Sometimes, a stock will be a buy when the market is selling off. This is a good time to leave that stock alone and find another to trade. Unless you like to gamble?

BTW .. thanks for taking the indicator out for a spin! I think if you use it for a while, you will see why this is one of my favorites and on all of my charts.

Jess · Oct 30, 2025

dap711 said:
A picture is worth a thousand words.

The asset is measured with a moving average:

Code:

# Moving Average Inputs input MovAvg_AvgType = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL; input MovAvg_Price = close; input MovAvg_Length = 20;

So if volume pressure is a buy but the closing price is below the MA .. you get a gray bar. Vice-versa for sell.

All of the stacks are calculated individually, so the only relation I look for is confluence.

(rare glimpse of my chart setup)
View attachment 26139

Thanks for sharing. Your MY_Fusion indicator looks interesting. Would you mind sharing the the script or what it entails? Thanks in advance

DoubleD · Oct 30, 2025

dap711 said:
A picture is worth a thousand words.

The asset is measured with a moving average:

Code:

# Moving Average Inputs input MovAvg_AvgType = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL; input MovAvg_Price = close; input MovAvg_Length = 20;

So if volume pressure is a buy but the closing price is below the MA .. you get a gray bar. Vice-versa for sell.

All of the stacks are calculated individually, so the only relation I look for is confluence.

(rare glimpse of my chart setup)
View attachment 26139

Hi @dap771, thanks for the volume pressure indicator. I have it on my chart and it seems to be helpful in making a decision to get in or stay out of trades. What are the three other lower indicators (specifically the one name My Fusion)? It'll be great if you can share it.

dap711 · Nov 16, 2025

DoubleD said:
Hi @dap771, thanks for the volume pressure indicator. I have it on my chart and it seems to be helpful in making a decision to get in or stay out of trades. What are the three other lower indicators (specifically the one name My Fusion)? It'll be great if you can share it.

I did share it, and it was moved to the VIP indicators by the moderators.

I guess they really liked it as well.

useThinkScript · Nov 16, 2025

Jess said:
Thanks for sharing. Your MY_Fusion indicator looks interesting. Would you mind sharing the the script or what it entails? Thanks in advance

DoubleD said:
Hi @dap771, thanks for the volume pressure indicator. I have it on my chart and it seems to be helpful in making a decision to get in or stay out of trades. What are the three other lower indicators (specifically the one name My Fusion)? It'll be great if you can share it.

Yes, the Fusion - Unified Signal For ThinkOrSwim is an excellent indicator.
Because it used the VIP smoothing code in its creation; it is only available on the VIP Forums.
VIP members can find out more and join in on the discussion on the VIP forum:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/fusion-unified-signal-for-thinkorswim.21711/

jmaxfl · Nov 19, 2025

Looks like a good idea, what time frame are you using?

dap711 · Nov 20, 2025

jmaxfl said:
Looks like a good idea, what time frame are you using?

All.

yeshsub · Nov 20, 2025

dap711 said:

View attachment 25972
I like my indicators to be easy on the eyes and intuitive just by a quick look. So, here is a volume pressure indicator that not only measures the chart asset, but it calculates the Magnificent 7, QQQ, and SPY. When the colors are all the same enter the trade! Can be used on any time frame.

SQL:

declare lower;

# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#  Inputs
# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
input PaintBars         = yes;

# Volume Pressure Inputs
input Volume_AvgType    = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL;
input Volume_Length     = 14;
input Volume_AvgLength  = 200;

# Moving Average Inputs
input MovAvg_AvgType    = AverageType.EXPONENTIAL;
input MovAvg_Price      = close;
input MovAvg_Length     = 20;

# ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#  Raw Data
# ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
def vol        = volume;
def selling    = vol * (high - close) / (high - low);
def buying     = vol * (close - low) / (high - low);

def buyV_ma   = MovingAverage(Volume_AvgType, buying, Volume_Length);
def sellV_ma  = MovingAverage(Volume_AvgType, selling, Volume_Length);

def MA        = MovingAverage(MovAvg_AvgType, MovAvg_Price, MovAvg_Length);

addlabel(yes, GetSymbol() +": " + round(buyV_ma - sellV_ma,0), if buyV_ma > sellV_ma then color.cyan else color.red);

plot Dot_Cyan = if buyV_ma > sellV_ma and close > MA then 1 else Double.NaN;
Dot_Cyan.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Dot_Cyan.SetLineWeight(3);
Dot_Cyan.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);

plot Dot_Red  = if buyV_ma < sellV_ma and close < MA then 1 else Double.NaN;
Dot_Red.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Dot_Red.SetLineWeight(3);
Dot_Red.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

plot pos2Line = 2;
plot pos1Line = 1;
plot ZeroLine = 0;
plot neg1Line = -1;
plot neg2Line = -2;



AssignPriceColor(
    if PaintBars and !IsNaN(Dot_Cyan) then Color.CYAN
    else if PaintBars and !IsNaN(Dot_Red) then Color.RED
    else Color.GRAY
);

# ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
#  4) Magnificent Seven aggregate dots at 0/100
# ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
script VolumePressure {
    input sym = "AAPL";
    def o = open(sym);
    def h = high(sym);
    def l = low(sym);
    def c = close(sym);
    def v = volume(sym);

    def uw  = if c>o then h-c else h-o;
    def lw  = if c>o then o-l else c-l;
    def sp  = h - l;
    def bd  = sp - (uw + lw);
    def pctB= bd / sp;
    def pctW= (uw + lw) / sp;

    def buyR  = if c>o then (pctB + pctW/2) * v else (pctW/2) * v;
    def sellR = if c<o then (pctB + pctW/2) * v else (pctW/2) * v;

    plot Buy  = MovingAverage(AverageType.EXPONENTIAL, buyR, 14);
    plot Sell = MovingAverage(AverageType.EXPONENTIAL, sellR, 14);
}

def avgBuy  = ( VolumePressure("AAPL").Buy +
                VolumePressure("MSFT").Buy +
                VolumePressure("GOOGL").Buy +
                VolumePressure("AMZN").Buy +
                VolumePressure("META").Buy +
                VolumePressure("TSLA").Buy +
                VolumePressure("NVDA").Buy ) / 7;

def avgSell = ( VolumePressure("AAPL").Sell +
                VolumePressure("MSFT").Sell +
                VolumePressure("GOOGL").Sell +
                VolumePressure("AMZN").Sell +
                VolumePressure("META").Sell +
                VolumePressure("TSLA").Sell +
                VolumePressure("NVDA").Sell ) / 7;

addlabel(yes, "Mag 7: " + round(avgBuy - avgSell,0), if avgBuy > avgSell then color.cyan else color.red);
plot Cyan_M7 = if avgBuy > avgSell then -1 else Double.NaN;
Cyan_M7.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Cyan_M7.SetLineWeight(3);
Cyan_M7.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);
plot Red_M7  = if avgBuy < avgSell then -1 else Double.NaN;
Red_M7.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Red_M7.SetLineWeight(3);
Red_M7.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

def qqqBuy  =  VolumePressure("QQQ").Buy;
def qqqSell  =  VolumePressure("QQQ").Sell;
addlabel(yes, "QQQ: " + round(qqqBuy - qqqSell,0), if qqqBuy > qqqSell then color.cyan else color.red);
plot Cyan_QQQ = if qqqBuy > qqqSell then -2 else Double.NaN;
Cyan_QQQ.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Cyan_QQQ.SetLineWeight(3);
Cyan_QQQ.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);
plot Red_QQQ  = if qqqBuy < qqqSell then -2 else Double.NaN;
Red_QQQ.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Red_QQQ.SetLineWeight(3);
Red_QQQ.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

def spyBuy  =  VolumePressure("SPY").Buy;
def spySell  =  VolumePressure("SPY").Sell;
addlabel(yes, "SPY: " + round(spyBuy - spySell,0), if spyBuy > spySell then color.cyan else color.red);
plot Cyan_SPY = if spyBuy > spySell then -3 else Double.NaN;
Cyan_SPY.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Cyan_SPY.SetLineWeight(3);
Cyan_SPY.AssignValueColor(Color.CYAN);
plot Red_SPY  = if spyBuy < spySell then -3 else Double.NaN;
Red_SPY.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.Histogram);
Red_SPY.SetLineWeight(3);
Red_SPY.AssignValueColor(Color.RED);

View attachment 25972

@dap711 Looks very useful. Would you kindly point me to a more detailed explanation as I am trying to understand this indicator but came up short. A simple illustrated example will help greatly. Perhaps just one buy scenario.
1. There are the 3 colors on the chart. Are we to map this to the lower study for consistency which indicates volume support?
2. How do you use the 4 labels UUUU etc?
3. What else is one supposed to look for?

dap711 · Nov 20, 2025

yeshsub said:
@dap711 Looks very useful. Would you kindly point me to a more detailed explanation as I am trying to understand this indicator but came up short. A simple illustrated example will help greatly. Perhaps just one buy scenario.
1. There are the 3 colors on the chart. Are we to map this to the lower study for consistency which indicates volume support?
2. How do you use the 4 labels UUUU etc?
3. What else is one supposed to look for?

Volume Pressure Indicator — User Guide
1. Overview
The Volume Pressure Indicator measures the directional force of buying and selling volume inside each candle and combines it with a trend filter and market regime overlays (Mag 7, QQQ, SPY).
It helps you determine:

Who is in control (buyers vs sellers)
Whether the trend has real volume behind it
Whether your stock is aligned with broader market strength or weakness
When to take or avoid trades based on multi-layer confirmation

This indicator works on any timeframe and is especially effective for intraday equity trading (24/5).

2. What the Indicator Shows
A. Symbol Pressure (Your Charted Symbol)
This appears at the +1 level in the lower panel.

Cyan Histogram (bullish pressure)
- Buying volume EMA > Selling volume EMA
- Price above 20-EMA
  → Confidence: buyers in control AND trend supports it.
Red Histogram (bearish pressure)
- Selling volume EMA > Buying volume EMA
- Price below 20-EMA
  → Confidence: sellers in control AND trend supports it.

B. Price Bar Coloring
Your price candles are auto-painted:

Cyan = confirmed buying pressure
Red = confirmed selling pressure
Gray = neutral or mixed pressure

C. Market Regime Rows
These appear below your main symbol:

Row	Asset	Meaning
-1	Mag 7 (AAPL, MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN, META, TSLA, NVDA)	Mega-cap leadership pressure
-2	QQQ	Nasdaq 100 volume pressure
-3	SPY	Broad market volume pressure

Cyan = net buying.
Red = net selling.
Each also displays a numerical pressure label.

3. How Pressure Is Calculated
For every candle:

Buying Pressure = volume × (close – low) / (high – low)
Selling Pressure = volume × (high – close) / (high – low)

These are smoothed using 14-period EMAs to reduce noise.
For Mag7/QQQ/SPY additional logic splits volume across body/wicks to more accurately measure true buy/sell participation.

4. How to Use the Indicator
A. Trade Only in the Direction of Confirmed Pressure
Long (Buy) Conditions
Look for:

Your symbol shows cyan pressure (Dot_Cyan)
Price is above the 20-EMA
At least Mag7 or QQQ is also cyan
Ideally SPY is also cyan (broad market confirmation)

Best Setup:
Symbol cyan + Mag7 cyan + QQQ cyan → Strongest probability.

Short (Sell/Put) Conditions
Look for:

Your symbol shows red pressure (Dot_Red)
Price is below the 20-EMA
Mag7 or QQQ also red
Better if SPY red too

Best Setup:
Symbol red + Mag7 red + QQQ red → Strong bearish alignment.

B. Entry Strategy
Trend-Follow Entry (most consistent)
For longs:

Market regime (Mag7/QQQ) showing cyan.
Your symbol had prior cyan bars.
Price pulls back toward 20-EMA (bars may turn gray or light red).
Enter when your symbol returns to cyan with a confirming candle.

Mirror this for shorts in red.

C. Avoid Trades During “Mixed Pressure”
If your symbol is cyan but:

Mag7 is red
QQQ is red
SPY is red

→ Don’t take the trade.
The broader market is not supporting your direction.
Same for red on your symbol but green markets.

D. Spotting Regime Shifts
Regime shifts occur when:

Mag7 flips red → cyan or
QQQ flips red → cyan

These often mark the start of a new trend or momentum surge.
The first pullback after a regime shift is usually the highest-quality entry.

5. Recommended Timeframes

1-minute / 5-minute: Fast scalping
5-minute / 15-minute: Intraday
30-minute / 1-hour: Swing trading
Daily: Position trading or macro confirmation

Indicator adapts cleanly to all.

6. Practical Tips
✔ If everything is cyan → Market wants to move up
✔ If everything is red → Market wants to move down
✔ If your stock is opposite the regime → High odds of fakeout
✔ Use pressure flips to find early reversals
✔ Use pressure alignment to find trend continuation entries

7. Signals Cheat Sheet
Strongest Long

Symbol: Cyan
Mag7: Cyan
QQQ: Cyan
SPY: Cyan
Price > 20EMA

Weak Long / Avoid

Symbol: Cyan
Mag7: Red OR QQQ: Red
Trend conflict = likely whipsaw

Strongest Short

Symbol: Red
Mag7: Red
QQQ: Red
SPY: Red
Price < 20EMA

Weak Short / Avoid

Symbol: Red
Mag7 cyan (especially QQQ cyan)

8. What This Indicator Does Better Than Others

Confirms directional volume, not just raw volume
Filters trades using trend + volume agreement
Adds institutional flow context via Mag7/QQQ/SPY
Shows market health at a glance
Eliminates many bad trades caused by trading against the regime

9. One-Sentence Summary
This indicator tells you when your stock AND the market have aligned buying or selling pressure so you only trade when real money is moving in your direction.

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Volume Pressure in a whole new light for ThinkOrSwim

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Jess

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