Stochastic Oscillator (Stochastic)
The Stochastic Oscillator compares the closing price to the price range over a given period. It oscillates between 0 and 100, with %K and %D lines providing crossover signals.
- Family
- Momentum & oscillators
- Series
- %k · %d
- Best timeframes
- M15 · H1 · H4
- Last updated
- 2026-03-21
TL;DR
- Stochastic is a oscillator indicator used in technical analysis
- Above 80 is overbought; below 20 is oversold. %K crossing %D from below is bullish; from above is bearish.
- Best timeframes: M15, H1, H4
- Skip to API docs
What is Stochastic Oscillator?
The Stochastic Oscillator compares the closing price to the price range over a given period. It oscillates between 0 and 100, with %K and %D lines providing crossover signals.
How Stochastic is calculated
%K = (Close - Lowest Low) / (Highest High - Lowest Low) × 100
%D = SMA(%K, 3)
Default period: 14How to interpret Stochastic
Above 80 is overbought; below 20 is oversold. %K crossing %D from below is bullish; from above is bearish.
Trading strategies using Stochastic
Strategy 1: Stochastic Crossover
Trade when %K crosses %D in overbought/oversold zones.
Entry rules
Buy when %K crosses above %D below 20. Sell when %K crosses below %D above 80.
Exit rules
Exit when opposite zone is reached or on reverse crossover.
Combining Stochastic with other indicators
Stochastic works best when combined with complementary indicators:
- Stochastic + RSI: Combine for stronger confluence signals
- Stochastic + Williams %R: Combine for stronger confluence signals
- Stochastic + CCI: Combine for stronger confluence signals
Stochastic across different timeframes
Stochastic works across all 7 timeframes but performs best on M15, H1, H4 for most trading styles.
Accessing Stochastic via the TickAtlas API
GET https://tickatlas.com/v1/indicator
Python example
import requests
url = "https://tickatlas.com/v1/indicator"
headers = {"X-API-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY"}
params = {
"symbol": "EURUSD",
"indicator": "Stochastic_K",
"timeframe": "H1"
}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)
data = response.json()
print(data)Sample response
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"symbol": "EURUSD",
"indicator": "Stochastic_K",
"timeframe": "H1",
"value": 58.43,
"updated_at": 1711548000,
"server_time": "2024-03-27T14:00:00+00:00",
"bid": 1.0856,
"ask": 1.0857
}
}Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking every crossover signal without zone confirmation
- Using Stochastic in strongly trending markets where it stays overbought/oversold
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between RSI and Stochastic?
RSI measures price velocity while Stochastic measures closing price position relative to the range. Stochastic is more sensitive and generates more signals. RSI is smoother and better for divergence.
Continue learning
More momentum & oscillators indicators
- Indicator
Relative Strength Index (RSI)
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and magnitude of price movements on a scale from 0 to 100.
Read more - Indicator
Williams %R (Williams %R)
Williams %R is a momentum oscillator identical to the inverse of the Stochastic Oscillator.
Read more - Indicator
Commodity Channel Index (CCI)
CCI measures the deviation of price from its statistical mean.
Read more
Put Stochastic to work in your application.
Sign up with $2.50 of starting credit and query pre-calculated Stochastic data across 7 timeframes, from M1 to D1.