Overview
Delta Volume measures the difference between buy volume and sell volume for each individual candle. Unlike CVD, which accumulates over time, Delta Volume resets every bar, giving you a clean read on who dominated that specific period.
- Positive delta = more aggressive buying (volume executed at the ask).
- Negative delta = more aggressive selling (volume executed at the bid).
How It Works
For each bar:
Delta[n] = buyVolume[n] - sellVolume[n]
Chart Type
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Type | Subchart |
| Position | Below main chart |
| Data source | Trade-level buy/sell classification |
Settings
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|
| positiveColor | Color for bars where buyers dominate | #22c55e |
| negativeColor | Color for bars where sellers dominate | #ef4444 |
| displayMode | Rendering style | columns |
| highlightAnomalies | Flag statistical outliers | false |
| anomalyThreshold | Standard deviation multiplier | 2.5 |
| anomalyPeriod | Lookback period for anomaly stats | 30 |
| gradientIntensity | Fill gradient strength (0-1) | 0 |
Display Modes
| Mode | Description |
|---|
columns | Histogram bars (default). Best for quick visual scanning. |
line | Continuous line connecting delta values. |
candles | OHLC-style representation of delta. |
Interpretation
Spike Analysis
Large delta spikes indicate a sudden imbalance between buyers and sellers. These often appear at:
- Support/resistance levels — absorption or breakout
- News events — rapid positioning
- Exhaustion points — final push before reversal
Large delta spikes often mark exhaustion points, especially at support and resistance levels. A massive positive delta bar at resistance that fails to push price higher suggests buyers are being absorbed.
Delta vs. Price Movement
| Delta | Price | Interpretation |
|---|
| Large positive | Price rises | Confirmed buying pressure |
| Large positive | Price flat/drops | Buying absorbed by passive sellers |
| Large negative | Price drops | Confirmed selling pressure |
| Large negative | Price flat/rises | Selling absorbed by passive buyers |
Anomaly Detection
When enabled, anomaly highlighting marks bars where delta exceeds the rolling average by more than anomalyThreshold standard deviations. These bars are rendered with distinct styling to draw attention.
Delta Volume shows the per-bar picture. For the cumulative trend, use CVD. The two are complementary — Delta for timing, CVD for trend.
Practical Examples
- Breakout confirmation: Price breaks resistance with a large positive delta bar — real demand behind the move.
- Absorption: Repeatedly large negative delta bars at support, but price holds — passive buyers absorbing the selling.
- Climactic volume: Extreme delta spike after an extended trend often signals exhaustion and potential reversal.