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EP8 Free trading lesson · Chart basics

What Is FIBO?
Entering at the Wick Tip with Fibonacci

FIBO (Fibonacci) is a tool that measures chart ratios to project support and resistance. Learn to draw FIBO levels at 1.618 · 2.618 · 3.618 · 4.236 and use them as TP targets and wick-tip entries, with real gold chart examples.

By 1TRADER7 min readUpdated 15 Oct 2026
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Warning: Trading carries a high level of risk. This content is for education only and is not investment advice.

Quick summary before you read

  • FIBO (Fibonacci) is a tool that measures chart ratios to project future support and resistance, used as take-profit points or entries
  • High broken: draw FIBO on the uptrend head, from the top wick A down to the bottom wick B = resistance at 1.618 · 2.618 · 3.618 · 4.236
  • Low broken: draw FIBO on the downtrend head, from the bottom wick A up to the top wick B = support at 1.618 · 2.618 · 3.618 · 4.236
  • Entering at a FIBO level is always a counter-trend trade · wait for M5 divergence + an H1 supply/demand/FVG zone first
  • Use it for TP targets on any timeframe · for entries, M5 is recommended to get wick-tip prices

Previous lessons: EP1 Trends · EP2 Sideways markets · EP3 Trend reversals · EP4 Speed line · EP5 Demand & supply zones · EP6 FVG · EP7 Divergence

01Fibonacci

What is FIBO?

Fibonacci retracements (FIBO) are a tool that measures chart ratios to project future support and resistance. There are many ways to draw FIBO, but this lesson uses it to find support and resistance levels to use as take-profit points or entries.

Before learning how to draw FIBO to project support and resistance, it helps to know where FIBO comes from.

Fibonacci retracements (FIBO) measure chart ratios to project future support and resistance, used as take-profit points and entries
FIBO: measures chart ratios to find support and resistance · tap to enlarge
Support or resistance from FIBO can be used in 2 ways · 1) as a take-profit point (TP) · 2) as an entry point
02Origin & Ratios

Where FIBO comes from and the key ratios

“FIBO”, better known by its full name “Fibonacci”, comes from Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci, a famous Italian mathematician of the 13th century.

He described a remarkable number sequence in which each number is the sum of the two numbers before it.

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, …

For example 0 + 1 = 1 · 1 + 1 = 2 · 1 + 2 = 3 · 2 + 3 = 5, and so on. Traders apply this sequence to mark significant price levels, or support and resistance that may form in the future.

FIBO comes from Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci, a 13th-century Italian mathematician known for the Fibonacci sequence 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144
Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci and the Fibonacci sequence · tap to enlarge

Key Fibonacci ratios

0.23623.6%Divide by the number 3 places ahead (8 / 34 ≈ 0.235)
0.38238.2%Divide by the number 2 places ahead (21 / 55 ≈ 0.381)
0.50050%Not from the Fibonacci sequence directly, but popular with traders and often a key level
0.61861.8%Golden ratio · divide by the next number (34 / 55 ≈ 0.618)
0.78678.6%Roughly the square root of 0.618 (0.786² ≈ 0.618)

There are also ratios for price extensions, such as 1.272, 1.618, 2.618 and 4.236.

Retracement levels (0.236–0.786) show how deep price may pull back, while extension levels show how far price may run. This lesson mainly uses the 1.618, 2.618, 3.618 and 4.236 extension levels to find trend targets.

Key Fibonacci ratios 0.236 0.382 0.5 0.618 (golden ratio) and 0.786, plus extension levels 1.272 1.618 2.618 4.236
Fibonacci ratios: 0.236 · 0.382 · 0.5 · 0.618 · 0.786 · tap to enlarge
03How to draw

Drawing FIBO for resistance and support

Drawing FIBO starts with waiting for price to break a high or a low, then drawing on the previous swing (A–B), which is called the “head” of the trend. Review highs and lows in EP1.

Uptrend targets

Draw FIBO for resistance

1
Wait for a high to break – the previous down swing (AB) is the “uptrend head”
2
Draw from top to bottom – drag FIBO from the top wick at point A down to the bottom wick at point B
3
Get 4 resistance levels – use them as BUY take-profit levels or SELL entry levels
1.6182.6183.6184.236
How to draw FIBO for resistance: when price breaks a high, drag FIBO from the top wick at point A down to the bottom wick at point B to get resistance at 1.618 2.618 3.618 4.236
High broken → draw FIBO A→B on the uptrend head · tap to enlarge
Downtrend targets

Draw FIBO for support

1
Wait for a low to break – the previous up swing (AB) is the “downtrend head”
2
Draw from bottom to top – drag FIBO from the bottom wick at point A up to the top wick at point B
3
Get 4 support levels – use them as SELL take-profit levels or BUY entry levels
1.6182.6183.6184.236
How to draw FIBO for support: when price breaks a low, drag FIBO from the bottom wick at point A up to the top wick at point B to get support at 1.618 2.618 3.618 4.236
Low broken → draw FIBO A→B on the downtrend head · tap to enlarge
04Real Chart · XAUUSD M5

Drawing FIBO on a gold chart

FIBO for resistance (uptrend targets)

On this M5 chart price breaks a high, so the previous down swing (AB) is the “uptrend head”. Draw FIBO from the top wick at point A down to the bottom wick at point B to get resistance at 1.618, 2.618, 3.618 and 4.236, levels where price may pause or reverse down.

If the chart is in an uptrend and you hold a BUY, use these resistance levels as BUY take-profit points. You can also use them as SELL entries, but that trades against the current uptrend, so check other factors carefully, because not every level is good for a counter-trend SELL.

FIBO for resistance on an XAUUSD M5 gold chart: after a high breaks, FIBO is drawn from point A down to point B, and price reaches the 2.618 level with a classic divergence signal
XAUUSD M5: high broken → price reaches FIBO 2.618 + classic divergence · tap to enlarge
Result after price hits FIBO 2.618 resistance on an XAUUSD M5 gold chart: price falls from the wick tip, usable as a BUY take-profit or a SELL entry
XAUUSD M5: price reverses down from FIBO resistance · tap to enlarge

Which FIBO resistance levels are worth a counter-trend SELL?

For example, an M5 FIBO resistance level that also shows a divergence signal and lines up with a supply zone or FVG on a higher timeframe such as H1. Then you can consider a counter-trend SELL, with the SL above the next nearest FIBO resistance (FIBO entries don’t need a wide SL, because they often get wick-tip prices).

FIBO for support (downtrend targets)

On this M5 chart price breaks a low, so the previous up swing (AB) is the “downtrend head”. Draw FIBO from the bottom wick at point A up to the top wick at point B to get support at 1.618, 2.618, 3.618 and 4.236, levels where price may pause or reverse up.

If the chart is in a downtrend and you hold a SELL, use these support levels as SELL take-profit points. You can also use them as BUY entries, but that trades against the current downtrend, so check other factors carefully, because not every level is good for a counter-trend BUY.

FIBO for support on an XAUUSD M5 gold chart: after a low breaks, FIBO is drawn from the bottom wick at point A up to the top wick at point B, giving support at 1.618 and 2.618
XAUUSD M5: low broken → draw FIBO for support · tap to enlarge
XAUUSD M5 gold price falls to FIBO 1.618 support with a classic divergence signal, then reverses up strongly, usable as a SELL take-profit or a BUY entry
XAUUSD M5: FIBO 1.618 support + classic divergence → strong rise · tap to enlarge

Which FIBO support levels are worth a counter-trend BUY?

For example, an M5 FIBO support level that also shows an M5 divergence signal and lines up with a demand zone or FVG on a higher timeframe such as H1. Then you can consider a counter-trend BUY, with the SL below the next nearest FIBO support (FIBO entries don’t need a wide SL, because they often get wick-tip prices).

05Caution

Cautions when using FIBO

3 rules to remember
1
TP targets work on any timeframe – FIBO is a very good tool for finding support and resistance as TP targets, on any timeframe
2
Use M5 for entries – to find entries with FIBO, the M5 timeframe is recommended because it gives sharp entries and the best chance of wick-tip prices
3
A FIBO entry = always counter-trend – every entry at FIBO support or resistance is a counter-trend trade, so check other factors carefully, especially the trend (see EP3), and combine it with divergence, demand & supply zones or FVG
06Summary

Summary: how to use FIBO (Fibonacci)

Used forConditionHow to drawLevelsUse
Resistance (uptrend targets)High brokenTop wick A → bottom wick B (uptrend head)1.618 · 2.618 · 3.618 · 4.236BUY TP / counter-trend SELL
Support (downtrend targets)Low brokenBottom wick A → top wick B (downtrend head)1.618 · 2.618 · 3.618 · 4.236SELL TP / counter-trend BUY
Counter-trend entryM5 divergence + H1 zoneSupply/demand zone or FVGSL beyond the next levelNo need for a wide SL
TimeframeTP: any timeframeEntries: M5Wick-tip pricesAlways check the trend

The key to using FIBO: wait for price to break a high or a low, then draw on the trend head from wick to wick. Use the 1.618, 2.618, 3.618 and 4.236 levels as take-profit targets with the trend, and only take counter-trend entries at FIBO levels when they are confirmed by factors such as divergence and a higher-timeframe zone.

07FAQ

FAQ about FIBO

What is FIBO?

FIBO, or Fibonacci retracements, is a tool that measures chart ratios to project future support and resistance. FIBO levels can be used as take-profit points (TP) or as entries.

Where does FIBO come from?

It is named after Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci, a 13th-century Italian mathematician known for the sequence 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, where each number is the sum of the two before it. Ratios from this sequence are used to find key price levels in trading.

What are the key Fibonacci ratios?

Common retracement levels are 0.236, 0.382, 0.5, 0.618 (the golden ratio) and 0.786. Extension levels such as 1.272, 1.618, 2.618 and 4.236 are used to find targets when price runs beyond the previous swing.

How do you draw FIBO for resistance?

When price breaks a high, the previous down swing (AB) is the uptrend head. Drag FIBO from the top wick at point A down to the bottom wick at point B to get resistance at 1.618, 2.618, 3.618 and 4.236, used as BUY take-profit levels or SELL entries.

How do you draw FIBO for support?

When price breaks a low, the previous up swing (AB) is the downtrend head. Drag FIBO from the bottom wick at point A up to the top wick at point B to get support at 1.618, 2.618, 3.618 and 4.236, used as SELL take-profit levels or BUY entries.

What should you check before a counter-trend trade at a FIBO level?

An entry at a FIBO level is always counter-trend, so wait for the M5 FIBO level to show a divergence signal and line up with a supply zone, demand zone or FVG on a higher timeframe such as H1, then place your SL beyond the next nearest FIBO level.

Which timeframe should you use FIBO on?

FIBO works for TP targets on any timeframe, but for entries M5 is recommended because it gives sharp entries and the best chance of wick-tip prices, so you don’t need a wide SL.

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Risk warning: Trading Forex, gold and CFDs carries a high level of risk and you may lose money. 1TRADER provides information and education to support your own decisions only. The real chart examples use historical data and do not guarantee future results. Read the full risk disclosure.