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INDICATORS · HULL MA

Hull Moving Average in Crypto: Why the Value Changes Before Candle Close

The Hull Moving Average is designed to lag less. The same design that cuts lag makes it move more than a plain average on the live bar.

By ChartsPod Editorial Team · Reviewed by ChartsPod Research
Published · Updated · 5 min read

Short answer

HMA(N) = WMA(√N) of (2 × WMA(N/2) − WMA(N)). The subtraction extrapolates the trend, and the weighted averages put the most weight on the newest bar, so the live price enters with a larger effective weight than in an SMA or EMA of the same length. Hull MA slope changes ('colour flips') are therefore the most likely to reverse before the close. Use closed-bar slope for rules and compare with the published value after the bar ends.

Which part of Hull Moving Average uses the live bar

ComponentUses current bar?Effect intrabar
WMA(N/2), WMA(N)YesNewest bar weighted most
2×WMA(N/2) − WMA(N)YesAmplifies change
Final WMA(√N)YesFurther weighting
Slope / colourYesFlips intrabar

The doubling in 2 × WMA(N/2) is what makes Hull fast; it also roughly doubles the short-average's reaction to the live price before smoothing.

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How much it moves inside one bar

Hull Moving Average during one bar (illustrative)Hull Moving Average during one bar (illustrative): OPEN: Hull rising; MID: Drop: slope flat; LATE: Further drop: falling; CLOSE: Rebound: rising again.OPENHull risingMIDDrop: slope flatLATEFurther drop: fallingCLOSERebound: rising again
Only Hull Moving Average's closing value is kept in history. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.
Illustrative intrabar range of Hull Moving Average vs its closed valueIllustrative intrabar range of Hull Moving Average vs its closed value: Hull intrabar movement (relative) 2 ; EMA same length (relative) 1 ; SMA same length (relative) 0 .ILLUSTRATIVE INTRABAR RANGE OF HULL MOVING AVERAGE VS ITS CLOSED VALUEHull intrabar movement(relative)2EMA same length (relative)1SMA same length (relative)0
How far Hull Moving Average travels inside a bar versus between bars. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Rules

Hull Moving Average signal hygieneHull Moving Average signal hygiene: Signals on closed bars; Bar-close alerts; Backtest uses the same rule; Live value labelled provisional; Settings identical across chart and alerts.HULL MOVING AVERAGE SIGNAL HYGIENESignals on closed barsBar-close alertsBacktest uses the same ruleLive value labelled provisionalSettings identical across chart and alerts
Closed values are what history shows. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Relative movement figures are illustrative; compute them for your own length.

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Questions readers ask

Why does Hull change colour mid-bar?

It heavily weights the live bar.

Is Hull repainting?

Its live value changes; closed values don't.

Use closed bars?

Yes.

Sources and methodology

Indicator formulas are standard definitions; live-versus-closed behaviour follows TradingView's repainting documentation. Values in examples are illustrative.

  1. TradingView Pine Script: Repainting — live vs historical calculation.
  2. ChartsPod indicator reference — indicator calculations.

This article explains research tools and workflows. It is not financial advice, does not recommend buying or selling any asset and does not predict prices. Crypto derivatives carry a risk of rapid and total loss of margin.

CHARTSPOD EDITORIAL EDITION · RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ONLY · NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE.