Footprint Overlay

Footprint Overlay

Visualize order flow at individual price levels with real-time Bid x Ask, Delta, or Total Volume data

Overview

Footprint Overlay is an order flow indicator that displays volume information at each price level within a candle, directly on your chart. Choose between Delta (buying pressure minus selling pressure), Bid x Ask (sell volume vs. buy volume), or Total Volume per level. This granular, level-by-level view reveals where institutional activity is concentrated, helping you identify key support and resistance zones based on actual order flow.

Key Features

• Multiple Display Modes: Choose how you want to see the data:
  Delta: Shows net buying or selling pressure at each level (Buy Volume - Sell Volume).
  Bid x Ask: Displays sell volume vs. buy volume side-by-side (e.g., "150 x 230").
  Total Volume: Shows the combined buy and sell volume at each level.
  
• Native Footprint Support (v6): For supported symbols, enable TradingView's native footprint data for accurate bid/ask volume attribution.
  
• Intrabar Delta Calculation: When native footprint data is unavailable, the indicator uses lower timeframe intrabar data to estimate delta at each price level using proprietary logic that considers candle body, wicks, and price action.
  
• Adaptive Tick Sizing: Automatically calculates an appropriate tick size (row height) based on asset type (crypto, forex, futures, etc.) and chart timeframe. Manual override is also available.
  
• Gradient Mode: Optionally scale box opacity relative to the maximum value in the candle, making it easy to spot the most significant levels at a glance.
  
• Customizable Colors: Set distinct colors for bullish (positive delta) and bearish (negative delta) levels.
  
• Value Filtering: Hide levels where the displayed value is below a specified magnitude to reduce noise.
  
• Label Display: Show delta or volume values directly on each level with K/M formatting for readability.
  

How It Works

1. Level Creation: For each confirmed candle, the indicator divides the price range into multiple levels. The number and size of levels are determined by ATR or adaptive tick calculations.
   
2. Data Collection: If native footprint data is enabled, the indicator uses TradingView's footprint API to get accurate bid/ask volumes per row. Otherwise, it requests lower timeframe intrabar data (OHLCV) to analyze price action within the main candle.
   
3. Delta Calculation: For intrabar mode, delta is calculated using proprietary logic that considers body size, wicks, and price action characteristics. Volume is distributed proportionally across all price levels the intrabar crosses.
   
4. Visualization: Each price level is rendered as a colored box. The color indicates direction (bullish/bearish), and the text shows the value based on your selected display mode.
   

Use Cases

• Support and Resistance Identification: Large delta or volume concentrations at specific price levels often indicate significant support or resistance zones where institutional traders are active.
  
• Order Flow Analysis: Understand where buying and selling pressure is concentrated within each candle, helping identify potential reversal or continuation zones.
  
• Entry and Exit Timing: Use footprint data to identify optimal entry and exit points based on actual order flow, not just price action.
  
• Confirmation Tool: Combine with other technical analysis tools. For example, a strong bullish delta at a support level can confirm a potential bounce.
  

Settings

• Display Mode: Choose between Delta, Bid x Ask, or Total Volume.
  
• Show Delta Labels: Toggle to show/hide value labels on each level.
  
• Gradient Mode: Scale box opacity relative to the max value in the candle.
  
• Max Opacity: Control the maximum opacity for level boxes.
  
• Font Size: Adjust the text size for labels.
  
• Min Value to Show: Filter out levels with values below this magnitude.
  
• Max Bars to Draw: Limit drawing to the last N bars to prevent object limits.
  
• Bullish/Bearish Delta Color: Customize colors for bullish and bearish levels.
  
• Text Color: Customize the text color for labels.
  
• Use Footprint Data (v6): Enable TradingView's native footprint data for supported symbols.
  
• Tick Size Mode: Choose between Auto or Manual tick sizing.
  
• Tick Density Multiplier: Adjust the density of price levels.
  
• Manual Footprint Ticks: Set a fixed tick size when in Manual mode.
  

Technical Notes

• The indicator updates in real-time as new intrabar data comes in, providing a live view of order flow on the current candle.
  
• Drawing is limited to the last N bars (configurable) to avoid exceeding TradingView's object limits.
  
• Adaptive tick sizing considers asset type and timeframe for optimal granularity.
  
• Native footprint mode provides the most accurate bid/ask attribution; intrabar mode is a best-effort estimate.
  
• Level size in intrabar mode is calculated using ATR(14) divided by 10, adapting to current market volatility.