OPEN-SOURCE SCRIPT
RTH Volume Candle Delta
Overview
This indicator is designed specifically for RTH (Regular Trading Hours) intraday traders who scalp the E-mini S&P 500 (ES), Nasdaq (NQ), and other high-liquidity futures. It solves a major flaw in time-based charts: the inability to see the "Speed of the Tape." By using a unique Transparency Heatmap, it simulates MotiveWave-style Constant Volume Bars while keeping your candles fixed to the time-based X-axis to maintain alignment with indicators like VWAP and EMAs.
The Power of RTH (Regular Trading Hours)
This script is optimized for the high-liquidity environment of the US Regular Session.
During RTH: The volume distribution is statistically significant, allowing the script to accurately identify institutional "sweeps."
During ETH (Overnight): Volume is often too thin for reliable delta analysis. I have included a "Hide Overnight" toggle to keep your chart clean and focused on the liquidity that matters.
Core Logic 1: Volume Partitioning (The Heatmap)
The script partitions volume into two visual states based on your target (Default: 1000V):
Normal Volume (< Target): These candles are dimmed (High Transparency). They represent background noise where the volume target has not yet been reached within that time slice.
Burst Volume (> Target): These candles become solid (Opaque). If a single 15s bar exceeds 1000V, it highlights a Velocity Peak—this is where institutional "Big Money" is actively consuming liquidity.
Core Logic 2: Effort-Based Delta (1s Precision)This is the "engine" of the script. Rather than using simple Close-Open delta, it fetches 1-second sub-bar data (the highest precision available without tick data) and applies an Effort vs. Result formula:$
DELTA = Volume \times \frac{(Close - Low) - (High - Close)}{High - Low}$$Buyer Effort: $(Close - Low)$ — How effectively buyers lifted price from the floor before the close.Seller Effort: $(High - Close)$ — How effectively sellers pushed price down from the ceiling.Adaptive Light-Up: The candle "Lights Up" (White/Yellow) only when the Delta is 1.5x greater than the MA 20 of recent deltas. This filters out standard two-way trade and highlights aggressive initiative.
How to Trade with this Indicator
Spotting Absorption: If you see a Solid (Burst) candle with a small body and "Normal" color, a limit order "Wall" is likely absorbing the market orders.
Confirming the Drive: A Solid White/Yellow candle at a key level (VWAP, PDH, or Opening Range) is a high-probability signal that aggressive money is driving the breakout.
Multiplier Labels: The labels provide an "x Multiplier" (e.g., x4.2), telling you exactly how many 1000V rotations occurred within that single time-bar.
Final Recommendations for Users
ES (S&P 500): 1000V is the standard. On a 1m chart, set it to 4000V.
NQ (Nasdaq): 400V - 500V is recommended due to thinner liquidity.
Setup: For the best experience, hide the default TradingView candle bodies in your chart settings.
This indicator is designed specifically for RTH (Regular Trading Hours) intraday traders who scalp the E-mini S&P 500 (ES), Nasdaq (NQ), and other high-liquidity futures. It solves a major flaw in time-based charts: the inability to see the "Speed of the Tape." By using a unique Transparency Heatmap, it simulates MotiveWave-style Constant Volume Bars while keeping your candles fixed to the time-based X-axis to maintain alignment with indicators like VWAP and EMAs.
The Power of RTH (Regular Trading Hours)
This script is optimized for the high-liquidity environment of the US Regular Session.
During RTH: The volume distribution is statistically significant, allowing the script to accurately identify institutional "sweeps."
During ETH (Overnight): Volume is often too thin for reliable delta analysis. I have included a "Hide Overnight" toggle to keep your chart clean and focused on the liquidity that matters.
Core Logic 1: Volume Partitioning (The Heatmap)
The script partitions volume into two visual states based on your target (Default: 1000V):
Normal Volume (< Target): These candles are dimmed (High Transparency). They represent background noise where the volume target has not yet been reached within that time slice.
Burst Volume (> Target): These candles become solid (Opaque). If a single 15s bar exceeds 1000V, it highlights a Velocity Peak—this is where institutional "Big Money" is actively consuming liquidity.
Core Logic 2: Effort-Based Delta (1s Precision)This is the "engine" of the script. Rather than using simple Close-Open delta, it fetches 1-second sub-bar data (the highest precision available without tick data) and applies an Effort vs. Result formula:$
DELTA = Volume \times \frac{(Close - Low) - (High - Close)}{High - Low}$$Buyer Effort: $(Close - Low)$ — How effectively buyers lifted price from the floor before the close.Seller Effort: $(High - Close)$ — How effectively sellers pushed price down from the ceiling.Adaptive Light-Up: The candle "Lights Up" (White/Yellow) only when the Delta is 1.5x greater than the MA 20 of recent deltas. This filters out standard two-way trade and highlights aggressive initiative.How to Trade with this Indicator
Spotting Absorption: If you see a Solid (Burst) candle with a small body and "Normal" color, a limit order "Wall" is likely absorbing the market orders.
Confirming the Drive: A Solid White/Yellow candle at a key level (VWAP, PDH, or Opening Range) is a high-probability signal that aggressive money is driving the breakout.
Multiplier Labels: The labels provide an "x Multiplier" (e.g., x4.2), telling you exactly how many 1000V rotations occurred within that single time-bar.
Final Recommendations for Users
ES (S&P 500): 1000V is the standard. On a 1m chart, set it to 4000V.
NQ (Nasdaq): 400V - 500V is recommended due to thinner liquidity.
Setup: For the best experience, hide the default TradingView candle bodies in your chart settings.
Open-source script
In true TradingView spirit, the creator of this script has made it open-source, so that traders can review and verify its functionality. Kudos to the author! While you can use it for free, remember that republishing the code is subject to our House Rules.
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.
Open-source script
In true TradingView spirit, the creator of this script has made it open-source, so that traders can review and verify its functionality. Kudos to the author! While you can use it for free, remember that republishing the code is subject to our House Rules.
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.