ICT Volume Imbalance Calculator (VIB): Free FVG Tool
For traders using Inner Circle Trader (ICT) or Smart Money Concepts (SMC), identifying a Volume Imbalance (VIB), often referred to as a Fair Value Gap (FVG), is key to spotting market inefficiencies. These subtle gaps between candle bodies signal aggressive buying or selling, creating high-probability areas where price may later return. Manually scanning for these precise three-candle patterns can be laborious.
Our free Volume Imbalance Calculator automates this process. Simply input the OHLC data for three consecutive candles, and the tool will instantly determine if a Bullish VIB (BISI) or Bearish VIB (SIBI) exists, providing the exact price levels of the gap. Add precision to your ICT analysis with this essential VIB and FVG tool.
created by Lyra Valerius
checked byKaelen Monroe
ICT Volume Imbalance (VIB) Calculator
How to Use the Volume Imbalance Calculator
A Volume Imbalance (VIB) highlights a price inefficiency. This calculator helps you spot these precise three-candle patterns with mechanical precision:
- Identify Three Consecutive Candles: Find a sequence of three candles on your chart, often occurring during a strong, impulsive price move.
- Enter OHLC Data for Each Candle: Carefully input the Open, High, Low, and Close prices for Candle 1 (oldest), Candle 2 (middle), and Candle 3 (latest).
- Analyze the VIB Results: The calculator will determine if a "Bullish VIB" or a "Bearish VIB" exists. It provides the exact top and bottom of this gap. If no imbalance is present, it will indicate "None."
Understanding Volume Imbalances in ICT Trading
Volume Imbalances are critical areas that smart money concepts often focus on. They represent a footprint of aggressive, one-sided market participation.
What is a Volume Imbalance?
A VIB is formed when there's a gap between the body of the first candle and the body of the third candle. Specifically, it's the space between the Close of Candle 1 and the Open of Candle 3. For a valid VIB, the body of the middle candle (Candle 2) must not overlap this gap at all. It signifies an area where price moved so quickly and aggressively that it left an "imbalance" or "inefficiency" that the market may seek to reprice later.
Using VIBs in Your Trading:
- As a Draw on Liquidity: These gaps often act as magnets for price. If you're in a trade, a nearby VIB can be a logical target.
- As Entry Points: When price retraces into a VIB, this zone can act as support (for bullish VIBs) or resistance (for bearish VIBs), offering potential high-probability entry points when combined with other confluences.
A Real-World Example: Spotting a Bullish VIB
Let's imagine a trader, Maria, is analyzing a chart and suspects a Bullish Volume Imbalance has formed. She pulls the OHLC data from her chart for three consecutive candles:
- Candle 1 (Bullish): Open 1.0810, High 1.0825, Low 1.0805, Close 1.0820
- Candle 2 (Small Bullish): Open 1.0815, High 1.0835, Low 1.0812, Close 1.0819
- Candle 3 (Strong Bullish): Open 1.0840, High 1.0855, Low 1.0838, Close 1.0850
She enters these twelve values into the calculator and hits "Calculate".
The Result: The calculator confirms a Bullish VIB. It identifies that Candle 3's Open (1.0840) is higher than Candle 1's Close (1.0820), creating a gap. Crucially, it also verifies that the body of Candle 2 (from 1.0815 to 1.0819) is entirely below the 1.0820 level and does not overlap the gap. The tool then outputs:
- VIB Status: Bullish
- VIB Top: 1.0840
- VIB Bottom: 1.0820
- VIB Gap Size: 0.0020
Maria now has the precise price levels of this market inefficiency, which she can use as part of her broader trading analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a Volume Imbalance and a Fair Value Gap (FVG)?
A Volume Imbalance is a specific type of Fair Value Gap. A classic FVG is the gap left between the high of Candle 1 and the low of Candle 3 (or vice-versa). A VIB is a more nuanced gap that exists purely between the real bodies (the Close of Candle 1 and the Open of Candle 3), highlighting an imbalance in order flow right at the open of the third candle.
Why does the calculator say "None" when it looks like there is a gap?
The most common reason is that the body of the second (middle) candle has overlapped the potential gap. For a true Volume Imbalance to be confirmed by this calculator's strict rules, the space between the body of Candle 1 and Candle 3 must be completely untouched by the body of Candle 2.
Is a Volume Imbalance a signal to buy or sell?
A Volume Imbalance is not a standalone signal. It is a point of interest on the chart that indicates a significant market event has occurred. Traders use this information as part of a much broader analysis, considering factors like market structure, liquidity, and time of day before making any trading decisions. This tool is for identification, not for generating signals.
Join the Discussion
How often do you find Volume Imbalances playing out in your chosen markets? Do you have a preferred way to trade them? Share your insights with other ICT and SMC traders below!