kcw

Parameters

Keltner Channels Width - kcw(source, length, mult, matype="ema", atr_length=None, atr_matype="wilder", bandstyle="atr")

Measures the width of Keltner Channels as a percentage of the middle line.

• source (field): Price field for middle line calculation (typically close)
• Valid inputs: close, open, high, low, or any indicator output
• length (int): Period for middle line MA calculation
• Common values: 20, 10, 50
• mult (float): Multiplier for band width
• Common values: 2.0, 1.5, 2.5
• matype (str, optional): MA type for middle line
• Valid options: ["ema", "sma", "wma", "wilder"]
• Default: "ema"
• atr_length (int, optional): Period for volatility calculation
• Default: None (uses same as length)
• atr_matype (str, optional): MA type for ATR smoothing
• Valid options: ["wilder", "sma", "ema"]
• Default: "wilder"
• bandstyle (str, optional): Volatility measurement method
• "atr": Use ATR (average true range)
• "truerange": Use raw true range
• "range": Use Wilder MA of (high - low)

Formula

middle = MA(source, length, matype)
upper = kc_upper(source, length, mult, ...)
lower = kc_lower(source, length, mult, ...)
width = ((upper - lower) / middle) * 100

Examples

kcw_value = kcw(close, 20, 2.0);
kcw_value < 10;  # Narrow channels (low volatility, potential breakout)
kcw_value > 30;  # Wide channels (high volatility)

# Squeeze detection (compare with Bollinger Bands Width)
kc_width = kcw(close, 20, 2.0);
bb_width = bb_width(close, 20, 2.0);
kc_width < bb_width;  # Squeeze condition

Returns

Float value representing channel width as percentage of middle line

• Higher values indicate higher volatility (wider channels)
• Lower values indicate lower volatility (narrower channels)
• Useful for identifying volatility contraction/expansion