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INDICATORS · PARABOLIC SAR

Parabolic SAR in Crypto: Why the Value Changes Before Candle Close

Parabolic SAR's next value depends on the current bar's extreme and acceleration factor. Intrabar, a new extreme changes the acceleration and the next dot.

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

Short answer

SAR(next) = SAR + AF × (EP − SAR), where EP is the extreme point of the trend and AF starts at 0.02, rising by 0.02 with each new EP to a cap of 0.20. On the live bar, a new high (in an uptrend) updates EP and can step AF up, changing the next SAR value; a touch of the current SAR triggers a reversal. Reversals shown intrabar can be real (price touched) but the next dot's value isn't final until the bar closes.

Which part of Parabolic SAR uses the live bar

ComponentUses current bar?Effect intrabar
Extreme point (EP)YesUpdates on new extreme
Acceleration factorYesSteps up with new EP
Next SARYesDepends on both
ReversalOn touchTriggered intrabar

Worked: SAR 59,000, EP 61,000, AF 0.06 → next 59,120. A new high at 61,400 makes AF 0.08: next ≈ 59,192.

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How much it moves inside one bar

Parabolic SAR during one bar (illustrative)Parabolic SAR during one bar (illustrative): OPEN: Next SAR 59,120; MID: New high 61,400: AF 0.08; LATE: Next SAR ≈ 59,192; CLOSE: Final.OPENNext SAR 59,120MIDNew high 61,400: AF 0.08LATENext SAR ≈ 59,192CLOSEFinal
Only Parabolic SAR's closing value is kept in history. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.
Illustrative intrabar range of Parabolic SAR vs its closed valueIllustrative intrabar range of Parabolic SAR vs its closed value: Next SAR before new high 59,120 ; Next SAR after new high 59,192 .ILLUSTRATIVE INTRABAR RANGE OF PARABOLIC SAR VS ITS CLOSED VALUENext SAR before new high59,120Next SAR after new high59,192
How far Parabolic SAR travels inside a bar versus between bars. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Rules

Parabolic SAR signal hygieneParabolic SAR signal hygiene: Signals on closed bars; Bar-close alerts; Backtest uses the same rule; Live value labelled provisional; Settings identical across chart and alerts.PARABOLIC SAR 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.

SAR as a stop in backtests: Parabolic SAR Stop Backtest in Crypto: Fees, Slippage and Break-Even Costs.

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Questions readers ask

Why does the next SAR value change mid-bar?

A new extreme updates EP and AF.

What's the AF cap?

Commonly 0.20.

Are reversals intrabar?

A touch triggers them; next values settle at the close.

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.