About the Hard Levels Forex Indicator
The Hard Levels indicator for MetaTrader 4 is a versatile tool that highlights significant price levels on the chart.
These levels can be used for trade entries, exits, or as a confirmation filter alongside other strategies.
The indicator plots all important support and resistance levels as blue lines directly in the main MT4 chart window.
Traders can quickly see areas where price is likely to react and gauge the strength of the current trend.
The trend is considered strongly bullish when the candlestick trades above all Hard Levels lines.
Conversely, the trend is strongly bearish when the candlestick trades below these lines.
This makes it easier to align trades with the dominant market direction.
Free Download
Download the “HardLevels.mq4” indicator for MT4
Key Features
- Displays major support and resistance levels on the chart
- Helps confirm trend direction for any currency pair
- Supports trade entries, exits, and trend filtering
- Works on all MT4 time frames
- Easy to interpret with simple blue line visuals
Indicator Chart
The Hard Levels indicator chart shows all significant price levels as horizontal blue lines.
Price action relative to these lines indicates trend strength and potential reaction points.
Traders use these levels to determine if the market is strongly bullish, strongly bearish, or consolidating between levels.
Guide to Trade with Hard Levels Indicator
Buy Rules
- Ensure the candlestick closes above all Hard Levels lines
- Enter a buy trade after bullish confirmation
- Prefer entries aligned with higher time frame trends
- Check for nearby support to strengthen the trade setup
Sell Rules
- Ensure the candlestick closes below all Hard Levels lines
- Enter a sell trade after bearish confirmation
- Align with the trend on higher time frames
- Check for nearby resistance to increase reliability
Stop Loss
- For buy trades, place the stop just below the nearest Hard Level line
- For sell trades, place the stop just above the nearest Hard Level line
- Allow room for normal price fluctuations
- Use Hard Levels as natural support or resistance references for safer stops
Take Profit
- Set the first target at the next Hard Level line in the trend direction
- Consider partial exits at intermediate levels
- Trail stops along subsequent Hard Levels to capture extended moves
- Exit if the price strongly reverses past a Hard Level against your trade
Practical Trading Tips
- Only trade when price is clearly above or below all Hard Levels lines.
- Avoid trading when price is bouncing between multiple levels.
- Use higher time frames for stronger confirmation of trend strength.
- Combine Hard Levels with trend or momentum indicators for more reliable entries.
- Scale in cautiously during volatile sessions.
- Test setups on one pair before applying to others.
Forex Hard Levels + Awesome Oscillator MT4 Day Trading Strategy
This day trading strategy combines the precision of the Hard Levels Forex Indicator (MT4) with the momentum reading of the Awesome MetaTrader 4 Forex Indicator.
The Hard Levels indicator plots strong support and resistance zones.
When price trades above all hard levels, the trend is bullish. When price trades below all hard levels, the trend is bearish.
The Awesome indicator is a histogram that shows momentum. Readings above zero favor buys. Readings below zero favor sells.
This setup is built for intraday traders who want clear entry and exit rules.
It works best on 15-minute and 30-minute charts.
You can also use it on 5-minute charts if you have quick execution and strict risk control.
The strategy is simple to follow and suits traders who like trend-following entries with momentum confirmation.
General rules
Trade only during active market hours for the pair you use.
For EUR/USD and GBP/USD, prefer the London and early New York sessions.
Avoid trading during major news spikes. Use a fixed risk per trade and do not add to losing positions.
Buy Entry Rules
- Price must be trading above all visible hard levels from the Hard Levels indicator.
- The Awesome histogram must be above zero and preferably rising for at least two bars.
- Enter on a bullish candle close above the most recent minor resistance level or pivot created by the hard levels.
- Stop loss: place below the nearest lower hard level or below the last swing low, whichever is wider. Keep risk consistent (for example, 0.5–1% of account per trade).
- Take profit: initial target at 1.5x risk (risk:reward 1:1.5).
- Move stop to breakeven after half the target is reached. Consider trailing to the next hard level for extended moves.
Sell Entry Rules
- Price must be trading below all visible hard levels from the Hard Levels indicator.
- The Awesome histogram must be below zero and preferably falling for at least two bars.
- Enter on a bearish candle close below the most recent minor support level or pivot created by the hard levels.
- Stop loss: place above the nearest upper hard level or above the last swing high, whichever is wider. Keep risk consistent.
- Take profit: initial target at 1.5x risk. Move stop to breakeven after half the target is reached.
- Trail stop to the next hard level for larger trends.
Advantages
- Clear trend bias from Hard Levels makes it easy to avoid countertrend trades.
- Momentum confirmation from Awesome reduces false breakouts.
- Works well on short time frames for quick intraday setups.
- Simple rules help with discipline and trade journaling.
Drawbacks
- Sideways markets can produce whipsaws around hard levels.
- News events can trigger false signals and wide spreads.
- Requires close monitoring on lower time frames, which may not suit all traders.
- Risk management must be strict because multiple small losses can erode gains.
Example Case Study 1 — EUR/USD 30-minute (Bullish)
Price had been trading above the hard levels for several candles, establishing a clear bullish bias.
The Awesome histogram climbed above zero and produced two rising bars.
A bullish candle closed above a recent minor resistance level marked by the Hard Levels indicator.
Entry was taken at the close of that candle.
Stop loss was set just below the nearest hard level. The first target at 1.5x risk was reached within three hours.
The trade was left to run after moving stop to breakeven and trailing to the next hard level.
The final result was a 2.6x risk winner after the trend extended.
Example Case Study 2 — GBP/USD 15-minute (Bearish)
Price dropped below all hard levels, confirming a bearish trend.
The Awesome histogram turned negative and made two consecutive falling bars.
A strong bearish candle closed below a small support pivot shown by the Hard Levels indicator.
Entry was taken at candle close.
Stop loss was placed above the nearest hard level. The market moved quickly and hit the 1.5x risk target within two hours.
The trailing stop captured additional downside to bring the trade to a 3x risk outcome.
No news events interfered, and the setup worked cleanly.
Strategy Tips
- Use a demo account to practice entries and stops until you feel comfortable.
- Prefer pairs with tight spreads during your trading session.
- Keep trade size small enough to survive a string of losses.
- Review trades each day and log the reason for entry and the outcome.
- If the Awesome is weak but the price is above hard levels, skip the trade. Wait for clearer momentum.
Download Now
Download the “HardLevels.mq4” indicator for Metatrader 4
FAQ
How do I know if the trend is strong using Hard Levels?
If price closes above all Hard Levels lines, the trend is strongly bullish.
If price closes below all lines, the trend is strongly bearish. Intermediate positions indicate consolidation.
Can Hard Levels help with trade exits?
Yes. The levels act as natural targets for taking profits or adjusting stops. They highlight areas where price may pause or reverse.
Is it suitable for short-term trading?
Yes. The indicator works on all time frames. Short-term traders can use lower time frames, while swing traders benefit from H1, H4, and daily charts for stronger levels.
Summary
The Hard Levels Forex Indicator for MT4 highlights key price levels that guide both entries and exits.
Showing strong support and resistance zones helps traders make better decisions and follow the prevailing trend.
This indicator is flexible enough to be used on any time frame and with any currency pair.
It also pairs well with trend, momentum, or entry indicators from the strategy section to increase accuracy and confidence in trades.
Hard Levels simplifies market analysis and reduces guesswork, making it a valuable addition to any trading setup.
