The common retracement levels
Memorize the five Fibonacci retracement levels and what each one tends to mean.
Lesson path
Technical Analysis + Price Action
Fibonacci Retracement
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Memorize the five Fibonacci retracement levels and what each one tends to mean.
Five levels, each with a job
Picture a stock that rips up from $100 to $120. Then it cools off. How far back does it usually fall before buyers step in? Not random distances. Traders worldwide watch five specific pullback depths: 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, and 78.6%. Each one tells you something different about the move.
23.6% is the shallowest. If price barely retraces this far before continuing, the trend is roaring. Buyers are aggressive. They're not waiting for a deep discount. 38.2% is the next stop and a very common one. A pullback that holds the 38.2% line usually signals the trend is still healthy. Traders call these shallow retracements 'continuation pullbacks' because the move resumes quickly.
50% is the psychological middle. It's not a true Fibonacci ratio, but most charting platforms include it because half a move feels like a fair price. Buyers who missed the move often wait here. 61.8% — the golden ratio — is the deepest level that still counts as a healthy pullback. Price retracing this far is testing the trend. If it holds, the trend usually continues. If it breaks, the trend is in trouble.
78.6% is the deep end. Price has given back almost the entire move. From here, two things usually happen: either an aggressive reversal back in the original direction (smart money loves this level) or a full breakdown of the trend. There's no in between.
Recap: 23.6% and 38.2% are shallow — trend continues. 50% is the middle. 61.8% is the line in the sand. 78.6% is the deep test. Tomorrow we draw them.
Knowledge check
Answer before moving on.
1. Price moves from $100 to $120, then pulls back to $112. What Fibonacci level is that?
2. Which retracement level is technically NOT a Fibonacci ratio?
3. A pullback that holds the 38.2% level usually means what?
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