Why Use a 10 Range or 4 Range ES Chart for Order Flow Trading?
10 range and 4 range charts are extremely popular for ES (E-mini S&P 500) order flow trading. Understanding why these specific ranges work so well helps you choose the right chart for your trading style.
Why Range Charts for ES?
ES Characteristics
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) features:
- High liquidity
- Consistent price movement
- Active trading hours
- Professional trader favorite
- Good for order flow analysis
Why range charts work:
- Consistent price movement per bar
- No low-volume bars
- Better for footprint analysis
- Shows price action clearly
- Professional standard
10 Range Chart - The Professional Standard
Why 10 Range is Popular
Characteristics:
- Balanced detail: Not too much, not too little
- Professional standard: Most traders use this
- Good for order flow: Perfect for footprint analysis
- Consistent bars: Every bar represents 10 points
- Manageable: Right amount of information
Advantages of 10 Range
1. Optimal Detail Level
- Enough detail to see patterns
- Not so much it’s overwhelming
- Good for day trading
- Professional standard
2. Perfect for Footprint Analysis
- Consistent price movement
- Good volume distribution
- Clear patterns
- Easy to read
3. Works Well with Order Flow
- Shows imbalances clearly
- Absorption patterns visible
- Delta analysis effective
- Volume profile clear
4. Professional Standard
- Most traders use this
- Common reference point
- Easy to discuss with others
- Industry standard
When to Use 10 Range
Best for:
- Day trading ES
- Order flow analysis
- Most traders
- General order flow strategies
- Professional trading
Ideal for:
- Balanced approach
- Good detail without overload
- Standard order flow analysis
- Most trading styles
4 Range Chart - Maximum Detail
Why 4 Range is Used
Characteristics:
- Maximum detail: Very granular view
- More bars: More information
- Precise analysis: See every move
- Active trading: Good for scalping
- Detailed patterns: See fine details
Advantages of 4 Range
1. Maximum Detail
- See every 4-point move
- Very granular analysis
- Precise pattern recognition
- Detailed order flow
2. More Trading Opportunities
- More bars = more signals
- More setups visible
- More entry points
- Active trading
3. Precise Entries
- Very precise entry timing
- See exact price action
- Detailed footprint analysis
- Fine-tuned execution
4. Scalping Friendly
- Good for scalping
- Quick entries/exits
- Fast decision making
- Active trading style
When to Use 4 Range
Best for:
- Scalping ES
- Very active trading
- Precise entries
- Detailed analysis
- Experienced traders
Ideal for:
- Maximum detail needed
- Active trading style
- Precise execution
- Short-term trading
10 Range vs 4 Range Comparison
Detail Level
10 Range:
- Moderate detail
- Balanced view
- Professional standard
- Good for most traders
4 Range:
- Maximum detail
- Very granular
- More information
- Good for active traders
Number of Bars
10 Range:
- Fewer bars per day
- Easier to manage
- Less overwhelming
- Cleaner view
4 Range:
- More bars per day
- More information
- More detailed
- More to analyze
Trading Style
10 Range:
- Day trading
- Balanced approach
- Most traders
- Standard strategies
4 Range:
- Scalping
- Active trading
- Experienced traders
- Precise strategies
Order Flow Analysis
10 Range:
- Good for footprint
- Clear patterns
- Balanced detail
- Professional standard
4 Range:
- Very detailed footprint
- Fine patterns
- Maximum detail
- Precise analysis
Why These Specific Ranges?
10 Range - The Sweet Spot
Why 10 points works:
- ES moves in 0.25 increments: 10 points = 40 ticks
- Good balance: Not too big, not too small
- Professional standard: Industry accepted
- Works well: Proven effective
- Manageable: Right amount of data
4 Range - Maximum Granularity
Why 4 points works:
- ES moves in 0.25 increments: 4 points = 16 ticks
- Maximum detail: See every significant move
- Active trading: Good for scalping
- Precise analysis: Very granular
- Professional detail: Maximum information
Other Range Sizes
20 Range Chart
Characteristics:
- Less detail
- Cleaner view
- Fewer bars
- Bigger picture
Best for:
- Swing trading
- Less active trading
- Trend identification
- Bigger picture analysis
5 Range Chart
Characteristics:
- More detail than 10
- Less than 4
- Good middle ground
- Some traders prefer
Best for:
- Between 4 and 10
- More detail than 10
- Less than 4
- Personal preference
Choosing Between 10 and 4 Range
Use 10 Range If:
- You’re day trading
- You want balanced detail
- You’re learning order flow
- You want professional standard
- You prefer less overwhelming charts
Use 4 Range If:
- You’re scalping
- You want maximum detail
- You’re experienced
- You want precise entries
- You can handle more information
Use Both
Multi-timeframe approach:
- 10 range: Primary trading chart
- 4 range: Entry timing
- 20 range: Overall direction
Benefits:
- Complete picture
- Better context
- Improved entries
- Reduced false signals
Best Practices
1. Start with 10 Range
For beginners:
- Learn with 10 range
- Master order flow
- Then try 4 range
- Find your preference
2. Match Your Style
Choose based on:
- Your trading style
- Your experience
- Your preferences
- Your goals
3. Use Multi-Timeframe
Combine ranges:
- Higher range for direction
- Trading range for setup
- Lower range for entry
4. Be Consistent
Stick with your choice:
- Master your chosen range
- Learn its characteristics
- Develop strategies
- Build expertise
Common Mistakes
1. Using Wrong Range
Mistake: Using range that doesn’t fit your style.
Solution: Match range to your trading style and experience.
2. Switching Too Often
Mistake: Constantly changing ranges.
Solution: Stick to one range, master it, then experiment.
3. Not Understanding Range
Mistake: Not understanding what range means.
Solution: Learn how range charts work, understand the concept.
Tools for Range Chart Analysis
Professional ES order flow trading requires:
- Range chart support
- 10 and 4 range options
- Order flow tools
- Footprint charts
Vtrender provides comprehensive range chart tools including 10 range and 4 range charts for ES trading.
Conclusion
10 range and 4 range charts are popular for ES order flow trading because they provide the right level of detail for different trading styles. 10 range is the professional standard for day trading, while 4 range offers maximum detail for scalping.
Key points:
- 10 range: Professional standard, balanced detail
- 4 range: Maximum detail, active trading
- Choose based on style: Match to your approach
- Both work well: For different purposes
Start using Vtrender’s range chart tools to access 10 range and 4 range charts for professional ES order flow trading.
Related Articles
Absorption, Imbalance, and Delta Divergence Strategies Explained
Master three powerful order flow strategies - absorption, imbalance, and delta divergence - and learn how to use them effectively
Read more What are Aggressive Buyers and Sellers in Order Flow Trading?
Learn how to identify aggressive buyers and sellers - traders who take initiative by hitting the bid or lifting the offer - and use this information in your trading
Read more What are the Best Markets to Trade with Order Flow?
Learn which markets work best for order flow trading and why some markets are better suited than others
Read more