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TENSORCHARTS GUIDE · HEATMAP

TensorCharts Heatmap Filters: Colour Intensity vs Actual Liquidity

Heatmap brightness is a display choice. Colour scaling and filters can make a modest order look like a wall, or hide a real one.

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

Short answer

Heatmap colour intensity is scaled relative to a reference you or the tool chooses, such as the largest visible order or a fixed size, and filters can hide orders below a threshold. The same 50 BTC order can look bright on a quiet altcoin scale and invisible next to a 2,000 BTC order on a BTC perpetual. Before reading intensity as liquidity, check the colour scale's reference, any minimum-size filter, price grouping and whether the scale adapts as you scroll or zoom.

How colour scaling distorts size

Same 50 BTC order, apparent brightness under two scales (%)Same 50 BTC order, apparent brightness under two scales (%): Scale max = 100 BTC 50.0 %; Scale max = 2,000 BTC 2.5 %.SAME 50 BTC ORDER, APPARENT BRIGHTNESS UNDER TWO SCALES (%)Scale max = 100 BTC50.0 %Scale max = 2,000 BTC2.5 %Illustrative linear scaling. Many tools use non-linear scales, which change this further.
Brightness is relative to the scale reference, not absolute size. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.
SettingEffect
Scale reference (max visible / fixed)Changes every cell's brightness
Linear vs non-linear scaleCompresses or exaggerates large orders
Minimum size filterHides small orders entirely
Price groupingMerges several levels into one cell
Auto-rescaling on zoomSame order changes colour when you scroll

Reading actual liquidity

Turn colour back into sizeTurn colour back into size: Hover or inspect the cell's actual size; Note the scale reference and whether it auto-adjusts; Record the minimum-size filter; Check price grouping in ticks; Compare with the order-book ladder at that moment.TURN COLOUR BACK INTO SIZEHover or inspect the cell's actual sizeNote the scale reference and whether it auto-adjustsRecord the minimum-size filterCheck price grouping in ticksCompare with the order-book ladder at that moment
Size, not colour, belongs in your notes. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

A comparable heatmap setup

If you study heatmaps over days or compare them across tools, set a fixed colour scale rather than one that adapts to the visible range. Choose a reference size that reflects a meaningful order on that market, such as a multiple of typical resting size near the spread, and keep it for the whole study.

Fix price grouping to a known tick multiple and record any minimum-size filter. With these three settings fixed, a bright cell on Monday and a bright cell on Thursday mean the same size. Without them, colour comparisons across days are meaningless.

Keep screenshots of important levels with the settings visible or written in the caption. When you revisit them later, you can read the actual size rather than relying on remembered brightness.

Comparing heatmaps across tools

When comparing TensorCharts with another heatmap, set both to a fixed scale and the same grouping, or compare sizes rather than colours. See TensorCharts vs ChartsPod: Compare Crypto Heatmap Coverage for coverage and How to Read TensorCharts: Order Book, Heatmap and Executed Trades for reading layers.

Inspect actual sizes on ChartsPod's order book next to its liquidity heatmap.

Open the live chart in ChartsPod

Treat heatmap colour as relative; record actual sizes, scale and filters before calling anything a wall.

Test TensorCharts Heatmap Filters on a perpetual chart; no account is needed to chart.

Launch ChartsPod

Questions readers ask

Is a bright heatmap level always large?

No. Brightness depends on the scale reference and filters.

Why did colours change when I zoomed?

Many heatmaps rescale to visible data.

How do I compare two heatmaps fairly?

Use fixed scales and the same price grouping, or compare sizes directly.

Sources and methodology

TensorCharts' site could not be read directly by our tools on 17 October 2026; its public interface presents an order-book heatmap, tape, CVD and volume profile tools. This guide explains how to read those tool types and what to verify in the live product; it does not state TensorCharts' venues, retention or prices.

  1. TensorCharts public interface — heatmap, tape, CVD and profile tools; verify in product.
  2. Bookmap: crypto order-flow analysis — heatmap product for crypto.
  3. ChartsPod: product overview, pricing and FAQ — free terminal, venues, modules, no order placement; checked 17 Oct 2026.

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.