Directional Movement Index + ADX & Keylevel Support
Nov 19, 2014

The Directional Movement Index + ADX & Keylevel Support indicator provides a comprehensive trend strength and direction analysis tool by combining standard DMI/ADX calculations with a customizable threshold to identify high-momentum market phases.
Usage
The Usage section describes how the script can be used to identify market conditions and potential entry or exit points. The tool consists of three primary lines—ADX (blue), +DI (green), and -DI (red)—alongside a horizontal Key Level.
- Trend Strength: The ADX line measures the strength of a trend regardless of direction. When the ADX is above the Key Level (typically set between 23 and 25), it indicates a strong trending environment. Conversely, an ADX below this level suggests a ranging or weak market.
- Trend Direction: Direction is determined by the relationship between the +DI and -DI lines. If the +DI is above the -DI, the prevailing momentum is bullish. If the -DI is above the +DI, the momentum is bearish.
- Signal Filtering: A common application involves looking for +DI/-DI crossovers only when the ADX is above the Key Level, ensuring that trades are taken during periods of established trend strength.
Details
The script is based on the standard Average Directional Index (ADX) and Directional Movement Index (DMI) logic developed by J. Welles Wilder. It calculates the positive (+DI) and negative (-DI) directional movement based on the relative movement of highs and lows over a specified period.
The ADX component is derived from the smoothed moving average of the Directional Index (DX). The inclusion of a static Key Level plot allows traders to visually confirm when volatility and momentum have reached a significant threshold. The script also includes built-in alert conditions for DI crossovers and ADX threshold breaches to assist in real-time monitoring.
Settings
- ADX Smoothing: Sets the lookback period for the ADX calculation. Higher values result in a smoother, slower-reacting line.
- DI Length: Determines the period used to calculate the +DI and -DI components.
- Key level for ADX: Sets the horizontal threshold value (defaulted to 23). This level serves as the benchmark for identifying a "strong" trend.
FAQ
What does it mean when the ADX is above the Key Level? When the ADX line crosses above the Key Level, it indicates that the market is entering a strong trending phase. It does not indicate direction, but rather that the current move has significant momentum.
How do I interpret a DI crossover? A Bullish DI Cross occurs when the +DI (green) crosses above the -DI (red). A Bearish DI Cross occurs when the -DI (red) crosses above the +DI (green). These are often used as signals for potential trend reversals.
How can I access this tool? You can get access on the LuxAlgo Library for charting platforms like TradingView, MetaTrader (MT4/MT5), and NinjaTrader for free.
Unlock Unlimited Access to the LuxAlgo Library
Upgrade your plan to get all indicators, strategies, charts, and full access to Quant, our AI agent.
Trading & investing are risky and many will lose money in connection with trading and investing activities. All content on this site is not intended to, and should not be, construed as financial advice. Decisions to buy, sell, hold or trade in securities, commodities and other investments involve risk and are best made based on the advice of qualified financial professionals. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Hypothetical or Simulated performance results have certain limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, since the trades have not been executed, the results may have under-or-over compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, including, but not limited to, lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs in general are designed with the benefit of hindsight, and are based on historical information. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profit or losses similar to those shown.
Testimonials appearing on this website may not be representative of other clients or customers and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.
As a provider of technical analysis tools and strategies, we do not have access to the personal trading accounts or brokerage statements of our customers. As a result, we have no reason to believe our customers perform better or worse than traders as a whole based on any content, tool, or platform feature we provide.
Charts used on this site are by TradingView in which the majority of our technical indicators are built on. TradingView® is a registered trademark of TradingView, Inc. www.TradingView.com TradingView® has no affiliation with the owner, developer, or provider of the Services described herein.
Market data is provided by CBOE, CME Group, BarChart, Massive, CoinAPI. Select U.S. equities data is provided through Massive. CBOE BZX real-time U.S. equities data is licensed from CBOE and provided through BarChart. Real-time futures data is licensed from CME Group and provided through BarChart. Select cryptocurrency data, including major coins, is provided through CoinAPI. All data is provided “as is” and should be verified independently for trading purposes.
This does not represent our full Disclaimer. Please read our full disclaimer.
© 2026 LuxAlgo Global, LLC.

