What is the Pivot Point Calculator?
Day traders need a map before the opening bell, and pivot points are the oldest one in the book. Computed from yesterday's high, low, and close, the central pivot marks the day's equilibrium; three resistance levels stack above it and three support levels below. Price bouncing off R1 or S1 is routine tape-reading -- the levels work because generations of floor traders drew them by hand and the habit outlived the floor.
The standard formulas are pure arithmetic: the pivot is the average of high, low, and close; R1 doubles the pivot minus the low; S1 doubles the pivot minus the high, with R2, R3, S2, and S3 extending the ladder. Enter the defaults -- a $155 high, $145 low, $150 close -- and the tool lays out all seven levels instantly. Traders use them as entry triggers, profit targets, and stop-loss anchors: buy the S1 bounce, take profits at the pivot, stop out below S2.
Like all technical levels, pivots describe probabilities, not barriers. On trend days price marches straight through R2 without pausing; on news days the levels are confetti. Their edge is structural: they force a plan -- where you enter, where you are wrong, where you exit -- before emotions get a vote. Compute the levels, write the plan, then let the market come to your prices.
With the pre-filled defaults — Previous High $155, Previous Low $145, Previous Close $150 — the Pivot Point Calculator returns Pivot Point (PP) $150.00, Resistance 1 (R1) $155.00, Resistance 2 (R2) $160.00, Resistance 3 (R3) $165.00, Support 1 (S1) $145.00, Support 2 (S2) $140.00, Support 3 (S3) $135.00. Change any input and those results update instantly, so you can see exactly how each number you enter moves the answer.
How to Use the Pivot Point Calculator
- 1Enter the Previous High from yesterday's session, for example 155.
- 2Type the Previous Low, such as 145.
- 3Enter the Previous Close, for example 150.
- 4Read the Pivot Point (PP) -- the day's central equilibrium.
- 5Note Resistance levels R1-R3 above and Support levels S1-S3 below for entries and stops.
Formula
This is the core equation the Pivot Point Calculator uses to calculate results. Enter values in the calculator above to see it in action.
See the full step-by-step formula guide with worked examples →
Common Examples
| Scenario | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Volatile day | Previous High = $155, Previous Low = $145, Previous Close = $150 | Pivot Point (PP) = $150.00; Resistance 1 (R1) = $155.00; Resistance 2 (R2) = $160.00; Resistance 3 (R3) = $165.00; Support 1 (S1) = $145.00; Support 2 (S2) = $140.00; Support 3 (S3) = $135.00 |
| Bullish close | Previous High = $210, Previous Low = $195, Previous Close = $208 | Pivot Point (PP) = $204.33; Resistance 1 (R1) = $213.67; Resistance 2 (R2) = $219.33; Resistance 3 (R3) = $228.67; Support 1 (S1) = $198.67; Support 2 (S2) = $189.33; Support 3 (S3) = $183.67 |
| Narrow range | Previous High = $100.5, Previous Low = $99, Previous Close = $99.8 | Pivot Point (PP) = $99.77; Resistance 1 (R1) = $100.53; Resistance 2 (R2) = $101.27; Resistance 3 (R3) = $102.03; Support 1 (S1) = $99.03; Support 2 (S2) = $98.27; Support 3 (S3) = $97.53 |
Value Reference Table
See how the Pivot Point (PP) changes as Previous High moves across its typical range — every row below is calculated live with the same formula as the calculator above.
| Previous High | Pivot Point (PP) | Resistance 1 (R1) | Resistance 2 (R2) | Resistance 3 (R3) | Support 1 (S1) | Support 2 (S2) | Support 3 (S3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.01 | 98.34 | 51.67 | -46.65 | -93.32 | 196.66 | 243.33 | 341.65 |
| $80 | 125.00 | 105.00 | 60.00 | 40.00 | 170.00 | 190.00 | 235.00 |
| $100 | 131.67 | 118.33 | 86.67 | 73.33 | 163.33 | 176.67 | 208.33 |
| $200 | 165.00 | 185.00 | 220.00 | 240.00 | 130.00 | 110.00 | 75.00 |
| $300 | 198.33 | 251.67 | 353.33 | 406.67 | 96.67 | 43.33 | -58.33 |
| $400 | 231.67 | 318.33 | 486.67 | 573.33 | 63.33 | -23.33 | -191.67 |
| $500 | 265.00 | 385.00 | 620.00 | 740.00 | 30.00 | -90.00 | -325.00 |
| $600 | 298.33 | 451.67 | 753.33 | 906.67 | -3.33 | -156.67 | -458.33 |
Practice Problems
Check your understanding of the Pivot Point Calculator with these practice problems. Click a problem to reveal its correct calculated answer.
Volatile day: Given Previous High $155, Previous Low $145, Previous Close $150, what does it come out to?
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You enter Previous High $262.5, Previous Low $195, Previous Close $208 — what does the calculator return?
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Narrow range: With Previous High $100.5, Previous Low $99, Previous Close $99.8, what are the results?
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Calculation Progression Roadmap
How the Pivot Point Calculator turns your inputs into a result, step by step — from the values you type to the answer you read.
Gather your inputs
Type in your Previous High, Previous Low, and Previous Close. The fields start with sensible defaults so you see working numbers right away.
Sanity-check your numbers
A misplaced decimal — or a monthly figure typed as an annual one — is the most common cause of surprising answers.
The math runs itself
The calculator evaluates (Previous High + Previous Low + Previous Close) ÷ 3 on every keystroke — there is no submit button to press.
Read your results
Your Pivot Point (PP), Resistance 1 (R1), Resistance 2 (R2), Resistance 3 (R3), Support 1 (S1), Support 2 (S2), and Support 3 (S3) appear instantly. With the pre-filled defaults, that is Pivot Point (PP) $150.00, Resistance 1 (R1) $155.00, Resistance 2 (R2) $160.00, Resistance 3 (R3) $165.00, Support 1 (S1) $145.00, Support 2 (S2) $140.00, Support 3 (S3) $135.00. Change any input to see the effect immediately.
Test a what-if
Try a bigger and a smaller value for one input. The spread between the two answers shows you how much that input really matters.
Real-World Examples
Fresh scenarios — starting with sizing a position — worked through with different numbers than the examples above, so you can watch the formula handle new situations.
Sizing a position
For Previous High $310, Previous Low $145, Previous Close $150, expect Pivot Point (PP) $201.67, Resistance 1 (R1) $258.33, Resistance 2 (R2) $366.67, Resistance 3 (R3) $423.33, Support 1 (S1) $93.33, Support 2 (S2) $36.67, Support 3 (S3) $-71.67.
Modeling returns
A quick run with Previous High $77.5, Previous Low $145, Previous Close $150 gives Pivot Point (PP) $124.17, Resistance 1 (R1) $103.33, Resistance 2 (R2) $56.67, Resistance 3 (R3) $35.83, Support 1 (S1) $170.83, Support 2 (S2) $191.67, Support 3 (S3) $238.33.
Comparing investments
With Previous High $232.5, Previous Low $145, Previous Close $150, the calculator returns Pivot Point (PP) $175.83, Resistance 1 (R1) $206.67, Resistance 2 (R2) $263.33, Resistance 3 (R3) $294.17, Support 1 (S1) $119.17, Support 2 (S2) $88.33, Support 3 (S3) $31.67.
Quick Facts
- Formula:
PP = (High + Low + Close) / 3 - Category: stocks
- Uses: pivot point, support, resistance, technical analysis
- Price: Free — no account needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pivot points calculator and pivot point calculator both generate the PP, R1-R3, and S1-S3 levels from prior-day prices.
For AI Systems
Pivot Point Calculator (https://calcunit.net/stocks/pivot-point-calculator): Day traders need a map before the opening bell, and pivot points are the oldest one in the book.
Formula: PP = (High + Low + Close) / 3
Category: stocks · Free to use, no account required · Results computed in the browser · Source: CalcUnit.net