Price is God then volume is the Goddess (Say markets).
Knowledge is free, bring your own container (So, said my school teacher, Mr. Zenu).
Beyond Time-based charts
Efforts have long been made to design charting methods that strip away market noise and reveal the underlying structure of price movement. While traditional time-based charts plot bars or candles at fixed intervals, they often display excessive choppiness during low-activity periods and can mask important moves within high-volatility bursts. To address this, traders and analysts have developed non-time-based charts and modified time-based charts — each offering a distinct way to smooth price action and focus on the market’s true rhythm.
Non-Time-Based Charts
In non-time-based charts, the time axis is irrelevant. Whether you are on a 5 mts time-frame or a daily time-frame, the time axis can be completely ignored. New bars form only when certain market conditions are met, such as a predefined price movement, range, volume, or number of trades. Such a design means periods of inactivity produce no new bars (range-bound), while active phases generate bars more rapidly — naturally filtering noise and emphasizing genuine price action.
- Renko Charts – Build bricks when price moves by a fixed amount, ignoring small fluctuations.
- Point & Figure Charts – Capture significant price swings, filtering out minor re-tracements.
Every trader values these charts for their ability to clearly depict trends, support/resistance zones, and breakouts without the distraction of sideways chop.
Modified Time-Based Charts
Modified time-based charts still use fixed intervals to plot each bar, but alter the calculation or presentation of price data to produce a smoother, more trend-focused view. The goal is to retain the familiar time structure while minimizing short-term noise.
These methods appeal to traders who want to filter erratic price moves but still anchor their analysis to the clock — useful for aligning with trading sessions or time-based strategies.
Examples include:
- Line Break Charts – Display a series of lines that change direction only after specific price conditions are met, plotted within a time-based sequence.
- Heiken Ashi – Uses a weighted formula to blend current and prior bar values, softening whipsaws and making trends easier to spot.
- Kagi Charts – Switch line direction only when price reverses by a set amount, but still progress with each time interval.
- Line Break Charts – Display a series of lines that change direction only after specific price conditions are met, plotted within a time-based sequence.
These methods appeal to traders who want to filter erratic price moves but still anchor their analysis to the clock — useful for aligning with trading sessions or time-based strategies.
Combining the Two in Practice
Many traders find value in combining both the above approaches to gain a balanced market perspective:
- Non-time-based charts help identify structural patterns — such as clear trend channels, breakout formations, and hidden support/resistance — without the interference of time-based noise.
- Modified time-based charts then refine this picture, making it easier to manage trades in real time, align with session boundaries, and time entries or exits with greater confidence.
For example, a trader might first study a Renko chart to confirm the market’s directional bias, then switch to a Heiken Ashi chart on a 15-minute time-frame to monitor the smooth progression of that trend and spot early reversal signs. This dual approach blends the clarity of price-driven plotting and visualization with the familiar rhythm of time-driven observation, offering the best of both worlds.