Trendlines and trend channels
A trendline joins swing lows in an uptrend, or swing highs in a downtrend. When a parallel line holds the other side, the two make a channel.
Free plan · Sign in with MT4 or MT5 · Windows 10 and 11
On a real chart
How Arka Terminal marks it
- 01Lines through at least three swing points, with their touch count.
- 02The dashed run: where each line will be next.
- 03The channel between parallel support and resistance.
XAU/USD 30m candles, Sep 22, 2026 to Sep 24, 2026. Every drawing is Arka Terminal's AI Structure Analysis of these candles. Nothing is placed by hand.
The shape
Three touches make a line
Rising lows on one line, rising highs on a parallel line, both projected forward.
How to read it
01
Three touches
Two points make any line. A third touch shows the market is respecting it.
02
Lows in uptrends, highs in downtrends
Draw rising lines under swing lows and falling lines over swing highs.
03
Recent touches matter most
A line that price has not touched for a long time has stopped being relevant.
04
Broken lines get retested
After a break, price often comes back to the line from the other side.
Common mistakes
Forcing the line
Cutting through candle bodies to make a line fit means the line is not there.
Lines that are too steep
A very steep line breaks quickly and says little about the trend.
Keeping old broken lines
A line broken long ago clutters the chart. Keep only recent breaks.
In Arka Terminal
One switch in the structure panel
- At least three swings
- A line is drawn only when three or more swing points sit along it. At most one support and one resistance line are kept.
- Lines the market still respects
- Lines not touched recently are dropped. A broken line turns grey and is kept only for a short while.
- Channels found for you
- When support and resistance run parallel in the same direction, the space between them is shaded as a channel.
- Free on every plan
- The analysis runs on your PC. It uses no AI credits.
- Ask about it
- Arka Copilot reads the switches you have on and answers with the same prices the chart shows.
Trendlines, marked on your own chart
- Free on every plan
- Sign in with your MT4 or MT5 account
- Nine structure switches, no AI credits
Questions
How do you draw a trendline correctly?
Join at least three swing lows in an uptrend, or three swing highs in a downtrend, without cutting through candle bodies.
What is a trend channel?
Two parallel trendlines, one under the lows and one over the highs, with price moving between them.
What happens when a trendline breaks?
The trend may be slowing or turning. Price often retests the line from the other side.
Can trendlines be drawn automatically?
Yes. Arka Terminal draws trendlines and channels automatically on its charts for MT4 and MT5 accounts, free on every plan.
The terminal built for a new generation of traders
Available for Windows 10 and Windows 11
