The Footprint Chart Strategy is a powerful order flow technique that allows traders to see inside the candles and understand exactly how market participants are interacting at each price level. Unlike standard candlestick charts, footprint charts display the actual volume traded at the bid and ask within each bar, revealing market aggression, absorption, and imbalance with precision.

Used correctly, footprint charts help identify real-time buying or selling pressure, expose false breakouts, and pinpoint high-probability trade entries—especially for scalpers, day traders, and short-term swing traders.

What Is a Footprint Chart?

A Footprint Chart (also known as an Order Flow chart) is a type of chart that shows:

• Volume traded at each price level inside a candle
• Bid x Ask volume or Delta (difference between buys and sells)
• Imbalances and absorptions in real-time
• Often colour-coded to highlight aggressive buyers or sellers

Each candle on a footprint chart is composed of price “footprints” showing who controlled each level—buyers or sellers—and whether the volume was executed passively or aggressively.

Types of footprint charts include:

• Bid x Ask (shows volume at bid and ask)
• Delta (net difference between buy and sell market orders)
• Volume (total volume traded at each price)

Why This Strategy Works

• Reveals who is in control of the market at each price
• Confirms breakout strength or exposes fakeouts
• Shows absorption by large players at key levels
• Enables tight entries and high R:R setups based on order flow behaviour

Unlike traditional charts, it tells you how the move is happening—not just what happened.

How to Trade the Footprint Chart Strategy

1. Select the Right Market and Platform

Best used on liquid markets such as:

• Futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC)
• Forex (EUR/USD, GBP/USD)
• Cryptocurrencies (BTC/USD, ETH/USD)

Platforms: Sierra Chart, NinjaTrader, ATAS, Bookmap, Quantower, Jigsaw, or TradingView (with plugins)

Use volume-based, tick-based, or range bar charts for best accuracy.

2. Understand Key Footprint Signals

A. Delta Divergence

• Price makes a new high, but delta shows negative values = weak buyers
• Price makes a new low, but delta is positive = weak sellers
• Signal: Reversal likely due to lack of conviction

B. Imbalance Zones

• Large buying at the ask with little response = bullish imbalance
• Large selling at the bid without follow-through = bearish imbalance
• Highlighted with colour blocks on modern charts

C. Absorption

• Massive passive limit orders absorb market orders at a level
• Price cannot move past that zone = hidden buyer/seller present

D. Stacked Imbalances

• 3 or more price levels showing consistent imbalance in one direction
• Signal: Momentum move likely—use for breakout trades

E. Zero Prints and Exhaustion

• Price prints with zero or very low volume = end of move
• Useful for spotting tops and bottoms

3. Entry Strategies Using Footprint Charts

Reversal Strategy (Delta + Absorption)

• Price reaches a key support/resistance level
• Delta shows divergence (e.g. price makes new high with decreasing delta)
• Absorption blocks appear at the top or bottom
• Enter in the opposite direction of the failing momentum
• Stop above/below the absorbed level
• Target prior value area or volume gap

Breakout Confirmation Strategy (Stacked Imbalances)

• Price breaks a range or level with multiple imbalances in the breakout direction
• Delta confirms aggressive buyers/sellers
• Enter on pullback or continuation candle
• Tight stop behind breakout candle
• Target measured move or opposite end of range

Volume Cluster Rejection Strategy

• Watch for large volume nodes forming in footprint bars
• If price rejects after interacting with the cluster, it’s likely to reverse
• Enter after rejection bar confirms
• Use high-volume node as stop-loss reference

4. Combine with Structure for Confluence

Footprint charts work best when combined with:

• Support and resistance zones
• Volume profile levels (high-volume nodes, low-volume voids)
• VWAP and session POCs
• Order blocks and imbalance zones on higher timeframes

This alignment gives you confidence and context.

5. Trade Management Tips

• Use tight stops since footprint entries are high-precision
• Be patient and let volume confirm intent
• Avoid trading low-liquidity periods
• Always wait for confirmation—don’t chase delta without structure

Strategy Summary Table

Component	Details
Chart Type	Footprint (Bid x Ask, Delta, Volume)
Key Signals	Delta divergence, imbalances, absorption, clusters
Entry Methods	Reversals, breakouts, volume rejection
Stop-Loss	Just beyond imbalance or absorption level
Take-Profit	Opposite edge of structure or volume gaps
Best Use	Scalping, day trading, short-term swing setups

Conclusion: Trading with Footprint Charts for Precision

The Footprint Chart Strategy empowers traders with an insider’s view of the market—exposing real-time buying and selling pressure that ordinary candlestick charts simply cannot reveal. By combining volume patterns, delta divergence, and liquidity behaviour, traders gain the tools needed to anticipate moves with surgical accuracy.

To master footprint charts, order flow, and other institutional trading techniques, enrol in our expert-led Trading Courses at Traders MBA and gain the skills to trade with a professional edge.