TRIX Indicator

A triple-smoothed momentum oscillator that filters out short-term noise.

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Overview

What is TRIX Indicator?

TRIX (Triple Exponential Average) is a momentum oscillator developed by Jack Hutson and published in Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities magazine in 1983. It calculates the percentage rate of change of a triple-smoothed EMA, making it exceptionally effective at filtering out short-term price cycles that cause false signals in single or double-smoothed oscillators.

Calculation: Apply an EMA of period N to price. Apply a second EMA of period N to the first EMA. Apply a third EMA of period N to the second EMA. TRIX = Percentage change in the triple EMA from the previous period.

The triple smoothing removes noise so effectively that TRIX can be used as a slow, reliable trend indicator or as a faster oscillator depending on the period chosen. A 12-period TRIX behaves as a smooth MACD-like oscillator; a 30-period TRIX provides long-term trend confirmation.

Signals: Zero-line crossovers indicate trend changes (above zero = bullish momentum, below zero = bearish). Divergence between TRIX and price is among the most reliable reversal signals — particularly on higher timeframes. A signal line (9-period SMA of TRIX) is often added to generate crossover signals analogous to MACD's signal line.

TRIX is particularly effective for identifying the trend's strength: a TRIX that is rising steeply indicates strong momentum, while a TRIX that is flat or turning indicates momentum exhaustion.

How It Works in auto-Trading

Automate It

auto-Trading computes TRIX and its signal line with configurable period settings. The strategy builder supports TRIX/signal line crossovers (faster signals), TRIX zero-line crossovers (slower, more reliable trend changes), and divergence detection. TRIX is effective as a standalone signal generator and as a confirmation filter alongside price breakout signals.

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External Resources

Learn from Trusted Sources

Investopedia — TRIX↗

Full explanation of the TRIX indicator and its trading applications.

TradingView — TRIX Scripts↗

TRIX indicator strategies and scripts on TradingView.

StockCharts — TRIX↗

StockCharts' detailed TRIX tutorial with signal examples.

Strategy Code

Pick a script below, copy it, and use it on your chart.

Pine Script (TradingView)

This is a TradingView Pine Script example for this indicator. Paste it into the TradingView Pine Editor, add it to your chart, and adjust inputs for your market and timeframe.

//@version=6
indicator("TRIX Indicator", overlay=false)
length = input.int(15, "TRIX Length")
e1     = ta.ema(close, length)
e2     = ta.ema(e1, length)
e3     = ta.ema(e2, length)
trix   = (e3 - e3[1]) / e3[1] * 100
sig    = ta.ema(trix, 9)
longSignal  = ta.crossover(trix, sig)
shortSignal = ta.crossunder(trix, sig)
plotshape(longSignal,  style=shape.triangleup,   location=location.bottom, color=color.green, size=size.small)
plotshape(shortSignal, style=shape.triangledown, location=location.top,    color=color.red,   size=size.small)
hline(0, "Zero", color=color.gray, linestyle=hline.style_dotted)
plot(trix, "TRIX",   color=color.purple)
plot(sig,  "Signal", color=color.orange)

ThinkScript (thinkorswim)

This is a thinkorswim ThinkScript example for this indicator. Open thinkorswim, create a custom study, paste the script, and apply it to your chart.

input length = 15;
def trix = TRIX(length = length);
def buySignal = trix crosses above 0;
def sellSignal = trix crosses below 0;
AddOrder(OrderType.BUY_AUTO, buySignal, close, 1, Color.GREEN, Color.GREEN, "TRIX Buy");
AddOrder(OrderType.SELL_AUTO, sellSignal, close, 1, Color.RED, Color.RED, "TRIX Exit");
plot TRIXLine = trix;
TRIXLine.SetDefaultColor(Color.CYAN);

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