---
title: "Stochastic Oscillator - Oscillators - Technical Indicators - Price Charts, Technical and Fundamental Analysis - MetaTrader 5 Help"
description: "The Stochastic Oscillator Technical Indicator compares where a security’s price closed relative to its price range over a... - Stochastic Oscillator - Oscillators - Technical Indicators"
image: "https://www.metatrader5.com/i/logo_metatrader5.png"
url: "https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/so"
---

[MetaTrader 5 Help](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help) → [Price Charts, Technical and Fundamental Analysis](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/charts_analysis) → [Technical Indicators](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/charts_analysis/indicators) → [Oscillators](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators) → Stochastic Oscillator

# Stochastic Oscillator

The Stochastic Oscillator Technical Indicator compares where a security’s price closed relative to its price range over a given time period. The Stochastic Oscillator is displayed as two lines. The main line is called %K. The second line, called %D, is a [Moving Average](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/trend_indicators/ma) of %K. The %K line is usually displayed as a solid line and the %D line is usually displayed as a dotted line. There are several ways to interpret a Stochastic Oscillator. Three popular methods include:

- Buy when the Oscillator (either %K or %D) falls below a specific level (for example, 20) and then rises above that level. Sell when the Oscillator rises above a specific level (for example, 80) and then falls below that level.
- Buy when the %K line rises above the %D line and sell when the %K line falls below the %D line.
- Look for divergences. For instance: where prices are making a series of new highs and the Stochastic Oscillator is failing to surpass its previous highs.

> You can test the [trade signals](https://www.mql5.com/en/docs/standardlibrary/ExpertClasses/CSignal/signal_stochastic) of this indicator by creating an Expert Advisor in [MQL5 Wizard](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/automated-trading/mql5wizard).

![Stochastic Oscillator ](https://www.metatrader5.com/i/help/terminal/en/stochastic.png)

## Calculation

Four variables are used for the calculation of the Stochastic Oscillator:

- %K periods. This is the number of time periods used in the stochastic calculation.
- %K Slowing Periods. This value controls the internal smoothing of %K. A value of 1 is considered a fast stochastic; a value of 3 is considered a slow stochastic.
- %D periods. This is the number of time periods used when calculating a moving average of %K.
- %D method. The method (i.e., Exponential, Simple, Smoothed, or Weighted) that is used to calculate %D.

The formula for %K is:

```
%K = (CLOSE - MIN (LOW (%K))) / (MAX (HIGH (%K)) - MIN (LOW (%K))) * 100
```

Where:

CLOSE — today’s closing price;
MIN (LOW (%K)) — the lowest minimum in %K periods;
MAX (HIGH (%K)) — the highest maximum in %K periods.

The %D moving average is calculated according to the formula:

```
%D = SMA (%K, N)
```

Where:

N — smoothing period;
SMA — [Simple Moving Average](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/trend_indicators/ma#sma).

## In this section

- [Average True Range](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/atr)
- [Bears Power](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/bears)
- [Bulls Power](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/bulls)
- [Chaikin Oscillator](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/chaikin)
- [Commodity Channel Index](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/cci)
- [DeMarker](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/demarker)
- [Force Index](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/fi)
- [MACD](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/macd)
- [Momentum](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/momentum)
- [Moving Average of Oscillator](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/mao)
- [Relative Strength Index](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/rsi)
- [Relative Vigor Index](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/rvi)
- Stochastic Oscillator
- [Triple Exponential Average](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/tea)
- [Williams' Percent Range](https://www.metatrader5.com/en/terminal/help/indicators/oscillators/wpr)

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