The TRIX indicator was developed by Jack Hutson in the 1980s as a way to filter out short-term price noise from momentum analysis. Its trick: triple smoothing. The indicator takes the closing price, smooths it with a 14-period EMA, smooths that result with another EMA, smooths again with a third, then calculates the percentage rate of change of the final smoothed value. The output is a single line oscillating around zero with very few false crossovers.
TRIX is one of the cleanest momentum reads available, especially for swing traders working H4 and Daily charts where signal cleanliness outweighs speed. It lags more than RSI or MACD, but the signals it does produce are reliable.
What is the TRIX Indicator?
TRIX (TRIple eXponential) applies three sequential EMAs to closing price, then takes the percentage rate of change of the final smoothed series. The result is a centred oscillator that moves slowly but reliably with major trend changes.
The triple smoothing eliminates noise that single-pass calculations carry. RSI uses no smoothing of price itself; MACD uses two EMAs; TSI uses two EMA smoothings; TRIX uses three. Each additional smoothing layer reduces noise and increases lag — TRIX is the slowest but cleanest in this lineage.
A signal line (typically 9-period EMA of TRIX itself) adds a crossover trigger similar to MACD’s signal line.
How TRIX Works on MT4
TRIX isn’t built into MT4. Install our custom version – see install custom indicators on MT4.
Three signals matter:
The zero-line cross is the dominant signal. TRIX crossing above zero = trend has flipped bullish. Below zero = bearish. Slow but reliable trend filter.
The signal-line cross. TRIX crossing its own signal line is a faster trigger than the zero cross — fires earlier in trend changes.
Divergence works on TRIX same as RSI/MACD but happens less often. When TRIX divergence does fire on H4 or Daily, it’s a high-quality reversal warning.
Key Features
- Triple-smoothed math — cleanest momentum reading available
- Centred on zero with optional signal line
- Very few false crossovers (cost: noticeable lag)
- Non-repainting once candles close
- Configurable EMA period and signal-line period
- Best on H4 and Daily timeframes
Best Settings for TRIX Indicator
| Parameter | Standard | Faster Variant | Slower Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMA Period | 14 | 9 | 21 |
| Signal Line | 9 | 5 | 14 |
| Reference Level | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recommended starting point: 14-period EMA with 9-period signal line on H4 and Daily.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cleanest momentum read – very few false crossovers | Significant lag – misses early entries |
| Excellent for swing trading on H4 and Daily | Too slow for short-timeframe trading (M30 and below) |
| Effective for trend-flip identification via zero-cross | Not built into MT4 – requires manual install |
| Non-repainting, suitable for backtesting | Less popular than RSI/MACD – fewer literature references |
How to Install TRIX on MT4
Step 1: Download TRIX.ex4 (link below).
Step 2: Drop into MQL4/Indicators via File > Open Data Folder.
Step 3: Refresh Navigator (Ctrl+N), drag TRIX onto chart.
Step 4: Set EMA Period 14, Signal Line 9. Add zero level. Click OK.
Trading Strategy: TRIX Zero-Cross with Signal Line
Setup: TRIX(14, 9) with zero level. 50 EMA on price for trend confirmation.
Buy Signal:
1. Price is above the 50 EMA (uptrend bias)
2. TRIX is above zero (bullish momentum)
3. TRIX crosses above its signal line
4. Enter long on the close of the cross candle
Sell Signal:
1. Price is below the 50 EMA
2. TRIX is below zero
3. TRIX crosses below signal line
4. Enter short on the close
Stop Loss: Beyond recent swing extreme (50-100 pips on H4).
Take Profit: 1:2 R:R or trail by the 50 EMA.
The zero-line plus signal-line combination is what makes TRIX usable. Without both confirmations, TRIX alone fires too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TRIX indicator free?
Yes. Custom version available below.
Does TRIX repaint?
No.
What’s the difference between TRIX and TSI?
TSI uses two smoothing passes. TRIX uses three. TRIX is slower and cleaner; TSI is faster but slightly noisier.
Best timeframe for TRIX?
H4 and Daily. TRIX on H1 is borderline; below H1 it’s too slow.
Can I use TRIX on MT5?
Yes. Custom TRIX works identically on both platforms.
Download TRIX Indicator for MT4 – Free
- Multi-timeframe display
- Zero-line and signal-line cross alerts
- Divergence detection
Platform: MT4 (Build 1000+)
File type: .ex4
File size: 14 KB
Version: 2.0
Last updated: April 2026
Download the TRIX Indicator – Free Instant Access
No payment. No catch. Enter your email below and the TRIX Indicator file lands in your inbox within 60 seconds:
- The non-repainting TRIX Indicator file (.ex4) – install in 30 seconds
- Step-by-step installation guide with chart screenshots
- Best-performing settings for swing trading on H4 and Daily
- The exact zero-cross + signal-line rules I use in live trading
- Weekly trading insights from a developer with 16+ years of market experience
Download the TRIX Indicator for Indicator – Free Instant Access
No payment. No catch. Enter your email below and the TRIX Indicator for Indicator file lands in your inbox within 60 seconds. Here’s everything you get:
- The non-repainting TRIX Indicator for Indicator file (.ex4) – install in 30 seconds
- Step-by-step installation guide with chart screenshots
- Best-performing settings for scalping, day trading, and swing trading
- The exact entry and exit rules Dom uses in live trading
- Weekly trading insights from a developer with 16+ years of market experience
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Overall Rating: 4.2/5
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.0/5 |
| Features | 4.1/5 |
| Value | 4.3/5 |
Related Indicators
- TSI Indicator MT4 – Double-smoothed momentum (TRIX’s faster cousin)
- MACD Indicator MT4 – Trend-momentum hybrid with histogram
- RSI Indicator MT4 – Single-pass momentum, faster than TRIX
- Best Oscillator Indicators for MT4
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