> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://terminal.incrypto.ru/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Long/Short Ratio

> Binance long/short ratio data — shows positioning of different trader categories.

## Overview

Long/Short Ratio displays the ratio of long to short positions from Binance exchange data. It is available for three trader categories:

* **Global** — All traders on the exchange
* **Top Position** — Top traders ranked by total position size
* **Top Account** — Top traders ranked by account value

When the ratio is above 1.0, there are more longs than shorts. Below 1.0, shorts dominate.

## How It Works

Binance publishes aggregate long/short ratio data at regular intervals for futures markets. This indicator fetches and displays that data directly, segmented by trader category.

The three categories reveal different aspects of market positioning:

* **Global ratio** reflects the entire market's positioning. Extreme readings often serve as contrarian signals — when everyone is long, the market may be overleveraged for a long squeeze.
* **Top Position ratio** shows how the largest position holders are positioned. These are often more informed participants.
* **Top Account ratio** shows positioning by account value. High-net-worth traders may have different views than the crowd.

<Tip>
  When all three ratios diverge from price direction, it creates a strong contrarian signal. For example, if all three ratios show extreme long positioning while price stalls, a long squeeze becomes likely.
</Tip>

## Interpretation

| Pattern                      | Meaning                                              |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| All ratios > 1.5             | Heavily long market — squeeze risk                   |
| All ratios \< 0.7            | Heavily short market — short squeeze risk            |
| Global long + Top short      | Retail bullish, smart money bearish — bearish signal |
| Global short + Top long      | Retail bearish, smart money bullish — bullish signal |
| All ratios converging to 1.0 | Balanced positioning — no directional edge           |

### Contrarian Signals

Long/Short Ratio is most useful as a **contrarian indicator**. Extreme crowded positions tend to unwind violently:

* Extreme longs + price near resistance = high probability short setup
* Extreme shorts + price near support = high probability long setup

### Smart Money Divergence

When Global ratio diverges from Top Position and Top Account ratios, it reveals a disconnect between retail and institutional positioning. Follow the "top" categories for directional bias.

## Settings

| Parameter          | Description                                                          | Default   |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- |
| `period`           | Data period: `5m`, `15m`, `30m`, `1h`, `2h`, `4h`, `6h`, `12h`, `1d` | `5m`      |
| `showGlobal`       | Display the global L/S ratio line                                    | `true`    |
| `showTopPosition`  | Display the top-position L/S ratio line                              | `true`    |
| `showTopAccount`   | Display the top-account L/S ratio line                               | `true`    |
| `globalColor`      | Color for the global ratio line                                      | `#3b82f6` |
| `topPositionColor` | Color for the top-position ratio line                                | `#f59e0b` |
| `topAccountColor`  | Color for the top-account ratio line                                 | `#a855f7` |
| `lineWidth`        | Thickness of ratio lines                                             | `1.5`     |
| `displayMode`      | Visualization style: `line` or `columns`                             | `line`    |

## Data Period

The `period` setting controls the granularity of the L/S ratio data from Binance:

| Period      | Use Case                               |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `5m`        | Scalping — rapid positioning changes   |
| `15m`–`30m` | Intraday trading                       |
| `1h`–`4h`   | Swing trading                          |
| `12h`–`1d`  | Positional trading — broader sentiment |

<Note>
  Long/Short Ratio data comes directly from Binance. It is only available for Binance Futures symbols. The data may have a slight delay (typically 1-2 minutes) compared to real-time price data.
</Note>

## Display Modes

* **Line** — Default. Three separate colored lines plotted against a 1.0 baseline. Best for comparing the three categories.
* **Columns** — Histogram view. Less common but useful when focusing on a single category.

## Practical Examples

**Long Squeeze Setup**: All three L/S ratios are above 2.0 (extreme long positioning). Price approaches a major resistance level and stalls. A small sell-off triggers liquidations, and the crowded long side rapidly unwinds — price drops sharply.

**Smart Money Fade**: Global ratio shows 1.8 (retail heavily long). Top Position ratio is at 0.8 (institutional traders are short). This divergence suggests the "smart money" expects a decline. Fade the retail crowd.

**Confirmation Signal**: Price breaks above a key level. Global L/S ratio starts rising from 1.0 toward 1.3 — participants are adding longs after the breakout, confirming the move has participation rather than just stop runs.

## Related Indicators

* [Whale vs Retail](/en/indicators/metrics/whale-vs-retail) — Size-based participant segmentation
* [Volume Ratio](/en/indicators/metrics/volume-ratio) — Real-time buy/sell volume imbalance
* [Anchored OI](/en/indicators/metrics/anchored-oi) — Net position changes from session start