A Comprehensive Guide to Elliott Wave Rules & GuidelinesHello Traders. In this post I will be discussing every single Elliott Wave rule and guideline according to the Elliott Wave Theory. There are many confusions upon traders when applying Elliott Wave rules, as there are also guidelines to be considered when trading.
***RULES AND GUIDELINES ARE TWO DIFFERENT SET OF TOOLS!***
Elliott Wave Theory "Rules" MUST be obeyed, I repeat, they MUST be obeyed, and obeyed precisely for an Elliott Wave pattern to qualify as an Elliott "Wave" - However, the "Guidelines" do not have to be obeyed. The more Guidelines obeyed by an Elliott pattern, the higher its "rating" or "probability" of being correct. This guide is purely a supplement guide and a quick reference for ANYONE who is trying to remember the rules and guidelines. I hope this guide helps you to further advance into the Elliott Wave Theory. Please write in the comment section below if I have missed anything, I will be glad to add them in the update section.
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We can categorize the Rules and Guidelines into TWO distinctive pattern groups:
1. Impulsive Wave Patterns (5 wave moves), and,
2. Corrective Patterns (3 wave moves)
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**IMPULSIVE WAVES**
Impulsive Wave Rules:
•Wave 2 may NEVER move beyond the origin of wave 1 (it cannot retrace more than 100% of wave 1).
•Wave 4 may NEVER enter the price territory of wave 1.
•Wave 3 may NEVER be the shortest wave.
•Impulse waves ALWAYS subdivide into 5 waves.
•Waves 1, 3, and 5 are ALWAYS 5 waves.
Impulsive Wave Guidelines:
•Wave 3 most often exceeds the pivot of wave 1
•On rare occasion, wave 5 will not move beyond the pivot of wave 3. This is known as TRUNCATION (refer to my EW guide).
•Usually, wave 3 will extend and have 5 waves within the third wave. Occasionally, two waves will extend (3rd and 5th waves). Never will all three extend.
•When wave 3 extends, wave 5 tends to EQUAL in length with wave 1.
•When wave 5 extends, it frequently reaches to the length of waves 1 plus 3.
•Wave 1 is the least likely to extend, but can be valid.
•Sometimes, the extended wave corresponds with the current parent wave. (for example, In a higher degree wave 5, it is common for the lower degree wave 5 to extend as well)
•Sometimes, the extended wave will match the number of the current parent wave
•The center of Wave 3, normally has the steepest slope of the entire 5 wave structure.
•Wave 2 will develop into a ZIGZAG correction, FLAT, or a COMBINATION wave (WXY, WXYXZ). Wave 2 cannot be a triangle in its entirety.
•Wave 4 will develop into a ZIGZAG, FLAT, COMBINATION (WXY, WXYXZ), or TRIANGLE.
Diagonal Rules:
a. Leading Diagonal
b. Ending Diagonal
A Diagonal is a common 5 Wave Impulsive pattern labeled as a 1-2-3-4-5 that moves with the larger trend (up or down). Diagonals move within two channel lines drawn from Waves 1 to 3, and from Waves 2 to 4. A Diagonal MUST be contracting. There exist two types of Diagonals; Leading and Ending. They have a different internal structure and are seen in different positions within the larger degree pattern. Ending Diagonals are usually more common than Leading Diagonals in terms of probabilities.
•Wave 1 of a Leading Diagonal must be an Impulse or a Leading Diagonal.
•Wave 1 of an Ending Diagonal must be a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave 2 may be any corrective pattern except a Triangle.
•Wave 2 must be less than Wave 1 by price.
•Wave 3 of a Leading Diagonal must be an Impulse.
•Wave 3 of an Ending Diagonal must be a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave 3 must be greater than Wave 2 by price.
•Wave 4 may be any corrective pattern.
•Waves 2 and 4 must either overlap or be within 10% of length Wave 3 of doing so. All internal data points are considered.
•The time taken by Wave 4 must be between 10% and 10 times the time taken by Wave 2.
•Wave 5 of an Ending Diagonal must be a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave 5 of a Leading Diagonal must be an Impulse or Ending Diagonal.
•If Wave 1 is a Leading Diagonal then Wave 5 cannot be an Ending Diagonal.
•Wave 3 must not be shorter than both Waves 1 and 5.
•Wave 5 must be at least 80% of Wave 4 by price.
•Wave 5 is never the longest when compared with Wave 1 and Wave 3.
•Wave 5 is always less than Wave 3 by price.
•The intersection of the channel lines must be beyond the end of the pattern.
•Diagonals must move within the two channel lines or be within 10% of gross movement.
•Channel lines must converge, slope in the same direction and neither be horizontal.
•The maximum number of pattern lengths into the future that the channel lines intersect is 4.
•The minimum time for Wave 5 is 10% of Wave 4. The maximum time for Wave 5 is 5 times Wave 3.
Diagonal Guidelines:
•Wave 1 of a Leading Diagonal is usually an Impulse, but in rare cases may be a Leading Diagonal.
•Wave 2 is usually ZigZag family pattern.
•Generally Wave 2 is greater than 35% of Wave 1's total price movement.
•Wave 4 is commonly a Zigzag.
•It is rare that at least either Waves 2 or 4 of an Ending Diagonal is not a Zigzag family pattern.
•Generally Wave 4 is greater than 35% of Wave 3's gross price movement.
•The end points of Waves 1 and 4 generally overlap.
•Expect the time taken by Wave 4 to be between 20% and 5 times Wave 2.
•Wave 5 is usually greater than Wave 4 by price.
•It is typical for Wave 5 of a Leading Diagonal to end before reaching the channel line.
•It is typical for Wave 5 of an Ending Diagonal to exceed the channel line.
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**CORRECTIVE WAVES**
ZigZag Rules:
A ZigZag is a three wave structure labeled A-B-C, generally moving counter to the larger trend. It is the most common three wave Elliott pattern. Zigzags are corrective in nature.
•Wave A must be an Impulse or a Leading Diagonal.
•Wave B can only be a corrective pattern.
•Wave B must be shorter than Wave A by price. All internal points are considered.
•Wave B must be at least 20% of A by price.
•Although there is no minimum time constraint for Wave B, it must not exceed 10 times the time taken by Wave A.
Wave C must be an Impulse or an Ending Diagonal.
•If Wave A is a Leading Diagonal, then Wave C must not be an Ending Diagonal.
•Wave C must be longer than 90% of Wave B by price.
•Wave C must be less than 5 times Wave B by price.
•It is not allowable to have both Wave 5 of A a failure (Wave 5 is shorter then Wave 4) and Wave 5 of C a failure.
•Wave C must be no more than 10 times either Wave A or B in price or time.
ZigZag Guidelines:
•It is unusual for a Wave within Wave A to have a greater gross price movement than Wave A.
•Wave B should end nowhere near beginning of Wave A
•Wave B should retrace at least 30% of Wave A.
•Wave B is most likely to retrace Wave A by about 38.2%.
•Wave B is next most likely to retrace Wave A by about 50%.
•Wave B is next most likely to retrace Wave A by about 61.8%.
•The largest Wave in B is usually less than the gross price movement of Wave A.
•The time taken by Wave B is usually between 61.8% and 161.8% of the time taken by Wave A.
•Wave C is most likely to have a similar price length to Wave A.
•The next most likely price lengths for Wave C are 61.8% and 161% of Wave A
•The next most likely price length for Wave C is 61.8% of Wave A beyond the end of Wave A.
•If Wave C is much longer than 161.8% of A, then the pattern is more probably the beginning of an Impulse than a Zigzag.
•If Wave C is complete, and has a greater slope than Wave A, expect the Zigzag to extend to an Impulse.
•Although Wave C should always be greater in price to Wave B, in rare cases Wave C can be up to 10% shorter than Wave B.
•The largest Wave within C by price is usually less than the gross price movement of Wave A.
•The time taken by Wave C is usually between 61.8% of Wave A and 161.8% of the shortest Wave of A and B.
Flat Rules:
A Flat is a three wave pattern labeled A-B-C that moves generally sideways. It is corrective and counter-trend and is a very common Elliott pattern.
•Wave A can be any corrective pattern except a Triangle.
•Wave B can be any corrective pattern except a Triangle.
•Wave B must retrace more than 70% of Wave A.
•Wave B is less than twice the price movement of Wave A, including internal points of Wave B.
•Although there is no minimum time constraint for Wave B, it must be less than 10 times Wave A.
•Wave C must be an Impulse or Ending Diagonal.
•Wave C must share some common price territory with Wave A.
•Wave C must be less than twice the longest of Waves A and B, including internal points of Wave C.
•Wave C must be less the three times the price distance of Wave A.
•Disallow back to back failures.
•Wave C must be no more than 10 times either Waves A or B in price and time.
•There is no minimum time constrains for Wave A.
Flat Guidelines:
•Wave A is usually a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave A is rarely an Expanding Triangle.
•The largest Wave within Wave A is usually less than Wave A by price.
•Wave B is usually a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave B is rarely a Flat.
•Wave B is usually greater than 95% of Wave A by price.
•Wave B is usually less than 140% of Wave A by price.
•The largest Wave within B is usually less than Wave A by price.
•The time taken by Wave B is generally between 61.8% and 161.8% of Wave A.
•Wave C is rarely an Ending Diagonal.
•Wave C is often about the same length as both Wave A and B.
•Wave C often ends at point which is a percent of Wave A beyond end of Wave A equal to the same percentage away from the start of Wave A.
•Wave C usually retraces a minimum of 100% of Wave B.
•Wave C normally reaches to the end of Wave A
•Wave C is not often more than 140% of the longer of Wave A or B.
•If Wave C is longer than Wave B, then Wave C is often about 61.8% of A beyond end of A.
•If Wave C is longer than Wave B, then Wave C is often about 161.8% of Wave A from end of Wave B by price.
•The time taken by Wave C is generally between 61.8% of Wave 1 to 161.8% of the shortest of Waves A and B.
Triangle Rules:
CT = Contracting Triangle, ET = Expanding Triangle
A Triangle is a common 5 Wave pattern labeled A-B-C-D-E that moves counter-trend and is corrective in nature. Triangles move within two channel lines drawn from Waves A to C, and from Waves B to D. A Triangle is either Contracting or Expanding depending on whether the channel lines are converging or expanding. Expanding Triangles are rare.
•Wave A of a CT is always either a Zigzag based pattern or a Flat. Wave A of an ET can only be a Zigzag based pattern.
•Within Wave A of a CT, Wave B must be less than 105% of Wave A's price length. The same rule applies for Waves C and D of the CT.
•Wave B must be a Zigzag based pattern.
•Wave C of a CT can be any corrective pattern except a Triangle. Wave C of an ET must be a Zigzag based pattern.
•Wave B of a CT must retrace Wave A by 50%.
•For a CT, Wave C must be less than Wave B by price and Wave C must be greater than or equal to 50% of Wave B by price.
•For an ET, Wave B must be less than Wave C by price and Wave B must be greater or equal to 50% of Wave C by price.
•Wave D of a CT can be any corrective pattern except a Triangle. Wave D of an ET must be a Zigzag based pattern.
•Wave B, C and D must not move more than 10% beyond the A-C & B-D channel lines (based on the length of Wave C).
•In an ET, Wave C must be less than Wave D by price and Wave C must be more than 50% of Wave D by price.
•In an ET, Wave A must move within the A-C channel or pass through it by no more than 10% of the length of Wave B by price.
•In an CT, Wave D must be less than Wave C by price and Wave D must be greater than or equal to 50% of Wave C by price.
•The intersection of the channel lines must occur beyond the end of a CT, and before the beginning of an ET.
•The channel lines must either converge or diverge. They cannot be parallel.
•Wave D of a CT must not end such that when retraced 25% by E, E will not reach the price territory of A.
•Only one channel line in a CT may be horizontal. Neither channel line of an ET can be horizontal.
•The maximum time for Wave D is 4 times Wave C.
•Wave E of a CT can either be a CT or a Zigzag family pattern. For an ET, Wave E must be a Zigzag based pattern.
•In an ET, Wave E must be greater than Wave D by price and Wave D must be greater or equal to 50% of Wave E by price.
•In an ET, either Wave A or B will be the shortest Wave in the pattern.
•In a CT, Wave E will be less than Wave D by price and Wave E will be greater than or equal to 25% of Wave D by price.
•In a CT, either Wave A or B will be the longest Wave in the pattern.
•In a CT, the maximum time for Wave E is 4 times Wave C.
•Wave E must end in the price territory of A.
•Wave E must not pass through the B-D line, or if it does, by no more than 10% of the length of Wave D.
•The maximum number of pattern lengths into the future that the channel lines intersect is 6.
Triangle Guidelines:
•Wave A is usually a zigzag family pattern.
•Wave B is usually a zigzag family pattern.
•Wave C is often a zigzag family pattern.
•Wave C usually takes more time than any other Wave in the pattern.
•Wave D is usually a zigzag family pattern.
•Waves B, C and D rarely move outside the B-D line.
•Waves A, B, C and E rarely move outside the A-C line.
•Wave E is usually a zigzag family pattern or the same type of Triangle as the larger pattern.
•Usually at least two Waves travelling in the same direction will relate by about 61.8%.
•It is common for two or more adjacent Waves will be related by 61.8%.
•In a CT, Wave E normally retraces Wave D by about 70%.
•Double and Triple ZigZag Rules:
•Double (DZ) and Triple (TZ) Zigzags are similar to Zigzags, and are typically two or three Zigzag patterns strung together with a joining Wave called an x Wave, and are corrective in nature. Doubles are not common, and Triples are rare. Zigzags, Double Zigzags and Triple Zigzags are also known as Zigzag family patterns, or 'Sharp' patterns. Double Zigzags are labeled w-x-y, while Triple Zigzags are labeled w-x-y-xx-z. Both these patterns are included in the list of rules and guidelines below. Only a Double Zigzag is illustrated below.
Double and Triple ZigZag Rules:
•Wave W must be a Zigzag.
•Wave C of W cannot be a failure.
•Wave X can be any corrective pattern except an ET.
•Wave X must be smaller than Wave W by price.
•Wave X must retrace at least 20% of W by price.
•The gross price movement of Wave X must be less then 3 times the price movement of Wave W.
•Wave X must be no more than 5 times Wave W by time.
•Wave Y must be a Zigzag
•Wave Y must be greater than or equal to Wave X by price.
•Back to back and double failures are not allowed.
•Wave Y must be greater than 90% of Wave W by price, and Wave Y must be less than 5 times Wave W by price.
•Wave Y must be no more than a factor of 5 times either Wave X or W in price or time.
•Wave C of Y cannot be a failure.
•Wave XX can be any corrective pattern except an ET.
•Wave XX must be smaller than Wave Y by price.
•Wave XX must retrace at least 20% of Y.
•The gross price movement of Wave XX must be less than 3 times the gross movement of Wave W.
•Wave Z must be a Zigzag
•Wave Z must be greater than or equal to Wave XX by price.
•Wave Z must be less than 5 times Wave Y by price, and must also be less than 5 times Wave W by price.
•Wave Z must be no more than a 5 times either Waves XX, Y, X or W in both price and time.
•Double and Triple ZigZag Guidelines:
•The largest Wave in Wave W is usually less than Wave W by price.
•Wave X is usually a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave X is usually less than 70% of Wave W by price.
•Wave X will usually retrace at least 30% of Wave W.
•Wave X is most likely to be a 38.2% retracement of Wave W.
•Wave X is next most likely to be a 50% retracement of Wave W.
•Wave X is next most likely to be a 61.8% retracement of Wave W.
•The largest Wave in Wave X is usually less than 140% of Wave W by price.
•The time taken by Wave X is usually between 61.8% and 161.8% of Wave 1.
•Wave Y is next most likely to be equal to 61.8% or 161.8% of W by price.
•Expect the time taken by Wave Y to be between 61.8% of Wave W and 161.8% of shortest of Wave W and X.
•Wave XX is usually a Zigzag family pattern.
•Wave XX is usually less than 70% of Wave Y by price.
•Wave XX will usually retrace at least 30% of Wave Y.
•Wave XX is most likely to be a 38.2% retracement of Wave Y.
•Wave XX is next most likely to be a 50% retracement of Wave Y.
•Wave XX is next most likely to be a 61.8% retracement of Wave Y.
•The largest Wave within Wave XX is usually less than 140% of Wave Y by price.
•Wave Z is most likely to be about equal to Wave Y by price.
•Wave Z is next most likely to be about equal to 61.8% or 161.8% of Wave Y.
•The largest Wave in Wave Z is usually less than Wave Y by price.
Double and Triple Sideways Rules:
Double (D3) and Triple (T3) Sideways patterns are similar to Flats, and are typically two or three corrective patterns strung together with a joining Wave, called an x Wave, and are all corrective in nature. Doubles are not common, and Triples are rare. Doubles are labeled w-x-y, while Triples are labeled w-x-y-xx-z. Both these patterns are included in the list of rules and guidelines below. Only a Double 3 is illustrated below.
•Wave W may be any corrective pattern except a Triangle, double or triple.
•Wave C of W cannot be a failure.
•Wave X may be any corrective pattern except a Triangle, double or triple.
•The minimum X Wave retracement is 70% of Wave W.
•The maximum price distance of Wave X is 150% of both the previous Wave and ensuing Wave. All internal data points are considered.
•Although there is no minimum time for Wave X, the maximum time is 10 times the time taken by Wave W.
•Wave Y may be any corrective pattern except double, triple or a Triangle in a Triple Zigzag. However, Wave Y cannot be a Zigzag if Wave W is a Zigzag.
•Wave Y must be greater than or equal to Wave X by price, except if Wave Y is a Triangle.
•Wave C of Y cannot be a failure.
•Wave Y must be no more than 5 times either Wave X or W in price and time.
•Wave Y has no minimum time constraint.
•Wave XX may be any corrective pattern except a Triangle, double or triple.
•The minimum Wave XX retracement is 70% of Wave Y.
•The maximum Wave XX retracement is 150% of previous Wave and ensuing Wave. All internal data points are considered.
•Wave Z may be any corrective pattern except double or triple. However Wave Z cannot be a Zigzag if Y is a Zigzag.
•Wave Z is greater than or equal to XX by price.
•Wave Z must be no more than 5 times either Waves XX, Y, X or W in price and time.
•Back to back and double failures are not allowed.
•If Wave Y is greater than Wave W by price, then the maximum Wave Z price movement is twice the price movement of Wave W.
Double and Triple Sideways Guidelines:
•The largest Wave in Wave W is usually less than 140% of Wave W by price.
•Wave X is usually a Zigzag family pattern.
•The largest Wave in Wave X is usually less than Wave W by price.
•Wave X is usually less than 140% of W by price.
•Wave X is usually greater than 95% of Wave W by price.
•The most likely retracement for Wave X is 110% of Wave W.
•Time for X is generally between 62% of W1 and 1.618 of the time of W1.
•If Wave Y is a Triangle, the most likely length of Wave Y is about 61.8% of Wave W. If Wave Y is not a Triangle, the most likely lengths for Wave Y are 100% of Wave W, 161.8% of Wave W and 10% of the length of Wave W beyond the end of Wave W.
•The largest Wave in Wave Y is usually less than 140% of Wave W by price.
•Wave Y is usually less than twice the longest of Wave W and Wave X in price.
•Wave Y is generally between 61.8% of Wave W and 161.8% of Wave W in time.
•Wave XX is usually a Zigzag family pattern.
•The largest Wave in Wave XX is usually less than Wave Y in price.
•Wave XX is usually less than 140% of Wave Y by price.
•Wave XX is usually greater than 95% of Y by price.
•The most likely retracement for Wave XX is 110% of Wave Y.
•If Wave Y is a Triangle, most likely length by price is 61.8% of Wave W. If Wave Y is not a Triangle, then the most likely lengths are 100% of Wave W, 161.8% of Wave W and 10% of length of Wave W beyond the end of Wave W, all by price.
•The largest wave in Wave Z is usually less than 140% of Wave Y by price.
•Wave Z is usually less than twice the longest of Wave Y and Wave XX.
