
6 minute read
What is the best setting for Fibonacci retracement?
When you start trading seriously, one of the first technical tools you’ll encounter is the Fibonacci retracement. Many traders use it daily to identify entry points, stop-loss levels, and potential profit zones. But here’s the question every trader asks at some point: What is the best setting for Fibonacci retracement?
The truth is, there’s no single magic number. Instead, there are key levels and configurations that, when understood correctly, can become a trader’s most reliable guide. In this article, I’ll break everything down for you like a professional trader would—clear, practical, and directly applicable to your trades.
💡 Pay close attention, because if you understand Fibonacci retracement settings, you’ll instantly gain a new edge in your trading strategy.
Understanding the basics of Fibonacci retracement
Before diving into the best settings, let’s make sure you fully understand what Fibonacci retracement actually does. It’s based on the Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical ratio found in nature, architecture, and financial markets. Traders use these ratios to predict where price pullbacks (retracements) might end and reverse into the trend’s direction.
The key retracement levels most platforms provide are:
23.6%
38.2%
50% (not a true Fibonacci number, but widely used)
61.8%
78.6%
These levels represent potential support or resistance zones.
Why settings matter for Fibonacci retracement
Many beginners just draw the tool and accept the default settings, but professional traders adjust them depending on:
The timeframe they’re trading
The market conditions (trending vs ranging)
The asset class (stocks, forex, crypto, commodities)
⚡ That’s why asking what is the best setting for Fibonacci retracement is smart—it shows you’re thinking like a trader who wants consistency, not luck.
The default Fibonacci retracement settings
Most trading platforms such as MetaTrader, TradingView, or Quotex provide default settings of:
0%
23.6%
38.2%
50%
61.8%
100%
Some also include 78.6% by default. For many traders, these are enough to identify turning points. But advanced traders often customize.
Customizing Fibonacci retracement levels
If you want precision, you should consider adding or adjusting levels. Some useful additional retracement levels include:
127.2% and 161.8% → Often used as profit targets after the retracement is complete.
88.6% → Used by harmonic pattern traders.
200% → For extended targets in strong trends.
By customizing, you can adapt the tool to your personal trading style.
Best Fibonacci retracement settings for day trading
For day traders, the market moves fast, and pullbacks are often sharp. The most useful levels here are:
38.2% → Indicates shallow retracements during strong momentum.
50% → A natural midpoint traders respect.
61.8% → The “golden zone” for buying dips or shorting rallies.
⏱ In day trading, speed matters, so focus on these three.
Best Fibonacci retracement settings for swing trading
Swing traders hold positions longer, from a few days to weeks. Here, deeper retracements are common, so settings like:
50%
61.8%
78.6%
…become more powerful. These levels often align with major support/resistance zones on higher timeframes.
Best Fibonacci retracement settings for crypto trading
Crypto is volatile. Retracements can be deeper than in forex or stocks. Traders often add:
23.6% → For shallow pullbacks in strong bull runs.
78.6% and 88.6% → To catch deep corrections.
🚀 In crypto, the golden ratio (61.8%) still works beautifully, but you must be ready for extreme swings.
Best Fibonacci retracement settings for forex trading
Forex markets respect Fibonacci levels well because they’re liquid and heavily traded. The top three settings forex traders rely on are:
38.2% → In trending currency pairs like EUR/USD.
50% → Especially during news-driven corrections.
61.8% → The golden entry zone.
How to combine Fibonacci retracement with other indicators
The tool alone is not enough—you need confluence. Combine Fibonacci retracement settings with:
Moving Averages (e.g., EMA 200 + 61.8% retracement)
RSI (look for overbought/oversold near Fibonacci levels)
Support and resistance levels
Candlestick patterns
📌 When multiple signals align, your probability of success skyrockets.
Mistakes traders make with Fibonacci retracement
Even if you know the best Fibonacci retracement settings, mistakes can kill your trades:
Drawing from the wrong swing high/low.
Relying on Fibonacci alone without confirmation.
Forcing the tool to fit price action instead of reading it naturally.
Ignoring the overall trend direction.
Avoid these, and you’ll already be ahead of 70% of retail traders.
Professional trading strategy using Fibonacci retracement
Here’s a pro-level way to use it:
Identify the trend (uptrend or downtrend).
Draw Fibonacci from the latest swing high to swing low (or vice versa).
Look for retracement levels between 38.2% and 61.8%.
Enter a trade when you see confirmation (candlestick reversal, divergence, or volume spike).
Place your stop-loss slightly beyond the next Fibonacci level.
Target 127.2% or 161.8% extensions for profits.
🎯 This strategy works across forex, crypto, and stocks.
Marketing insight for new traders
If you’re just starting out, don’t chase random strategies online. Learning how to adjust your Fibonacci retracement settings is a skill that separates serious traders from gamblers.
Remember: A reliable broker with advanced charting tools makes this easier. Platforms like Quotex, IQ Option, or Pocket Option give you the freedom to customize Fibonacci levels. Without the right platform, even the best theory won’t help.
Key Takeaways
The best setting for Fibonacci retracement depends on your trading style and market.
Day traders → Focus on 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%.
Swing traders → Use 50%, 61.8%, 78.6%.
Crypto traders → Add 23.6%, 78.6%, 88.6%.
Forex traders → Rely on 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%.
Always combine with other indicators for confirmation.
Q&A: Common questions about Fibonacci retracement
Q1: What is the most accurate Fibonacci retracement level?A1: The 61.8% level is the most reliable across markets, often referred to as the “golden ratio.”
Q2: Should I always use the default Fibonacci retracement settings?A2: Not always. The default works, but customizing can give you more precision depending on your trading style.
Q3: What is the best Fibonacci retracement for day trading?A3: 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8% are the most useful for intraday setups.
Q4: Can Fibonacci retracement be used in crypto?A4: Yes. It’s highly effective, though you may want to add 78.6% and 88.6% levels because crypto retracements are often deeper.
Q5: Is 50% a Fibonacci number?A5: No, but it’s widely used because markets often respect the midpoint of a move.
Q6: How do I draw Fibonacci retracement correctly?A6: Always draw from a swing low to swing high in an uptrend, or from swing high to swing low in a downtrend.
Q7: Does Fibonacci retracement work in ranging markets?A7: It’s less reliable in ranges. It works best in trending markets.
Q8: Can I use Fibonacci retracement with RSI?A8: Absolutely. If RSI shows oversold near the 61.8% retracement, it’s a powerful buy signal.
Q9: What is the difference between retracement and extension?A9: Retracement levels show where pullbacks may stop; extensions show possible targets beyond the swing high/low.
Q10: Is Fibonacci retracement suitable for beginners?A10: Yes. It’s simple to learn, widely available, and highly effective when combined with confirmation tools.
👉 So now, when someone asks you what is the best setting for Fibonacci retracement, you’ll know it’s not about one perfect level—it’s about adapting the tool to your style, timeframe, and market. That’s how professional traders think, and that’s the mindset you should adopt today.