NinjaTrader Fair Value Gap (FVG) Indicator
NinjaTrader Fair Value Gap (FVG) Indicator identifies price imbalance zones formed during impulsive market moves, where price was not fairly traded. Based on ICT and Smart Money concepts, it automatically detects bullish and bearish FVGs, tracks their mitigation, and filters insignificant gaps. Flexible validation, mitigation rules, and visual controls help traders analyze retracements, continuation scenarios, and price reactions within a clear imbalance-based market context.
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What the Fair Value Gap (FVG) Indicator Does
The NinjaTrader Fair Value Gap (FVG) Indicator is based on the concept of price imbalance — a key element of ICT and Smart Money methodologies. A Fair Value Gap forms during an impulsive price movement when the market moves through a range so quickly that buy and sell orders do not interact evenly. As a result, an inefficiency is created, leaving behind an area where price was not fairly traded.
From a market mechanics perspective, FVGs represent moments when dominant market participants control the order flow. Large institutions often initiate positions using aggressive market orders, driving price rapidly in one direction. Because liquidity is not fully absorbed at every price level, gaps in fair value emerge. These imbalances reflect institutional order flow dynamics and serve as significant reference points within a structural market context.
One of the defining characteristics of Fair Value Gaps is their role as significant reference areas where price may seek rebalancing. After an impulsive move, the market often interacts with the imbalance zone to mitigate unfilled orders as part of its structural development. This behavior makes FVGs important reference areas for contextual analysis rather than standalone execution triggers. They highlight zones of potential price interaction and structural interest.
The NinjaTrader Fair Value Gap Indicator automates the identification of these imbalance zones, reducing subjective interpretation and supporting consistent detection across different market conditions. By clearly marking FVG areas on the chart, the indicator helps traders visualize where inefficiencies were created and how price interacts with them over time.
In practical trading analysis, Fair Value Gaps serve several important purposes:
- they highlight zones of potential institutional imbalance rather than retail-driven noise;
- they help identify potential retracement levels within an impulsive move;
- they provide context for continuation or rejection scenarios when combined with market structure.
Instead of treating price movement as a series of isolated candles, the FVG methodology frames the market as a process of imbalance and compensation. The NinjaTrader Fair Value Gap Indicator supports this perspective by integrating imbalance analysis directly into the chart, allowing traders to integrate imbalance analysis into their methodology based on the underlying logic of order flow.
Fair Value Gap (FVG) Indicator — Key Features
The NinjaTrader FVG Indicator combines tools and features designed to help traders systematically identify, analyze, and manage Fair Value Gaps. Its functionality allows traders to control and fine-tune FVG detection, validation, and mitigation logic, enabling flexible configuration for different trading strategies and market conditions.
FVG Mitigation Logic
This feature defines when a Fair Value Gap is considered mitigated.
Traders can choose full fill, partial touch, or threshold-based mitigation, as well as the price reference used for validation (High/Low or Close). This flexibility allows traders to adapt FVG mitigation logic to different trading styles, execution models, and strategy rules, rather than being locked into a single rigid interpretation common in default indicators.
Full Fill Mitigation
Partial Touch Mitigation
Threshold-Based Mitigation
FVG Validation Filters
This component controls which FVGs are considered relevant.
Traders can filter by bullish, bearish, or both directions, define minimum gap size in ticks, points, or percentages, set a minimum bar span, and limit FVG lifetime in bars. It filters minor or outdated imbalances, optimizing chart clarity, and focuses analysis on structurally meaningful zones.
Minimum Gap Size: 5 Ticks
Minimum Gap Size: 10 Ticks
Alerts & Visual Markers
The indicator provides alerts for FVG formation, price entry into a zone, and mitigation events, enabling traders to track key imbalance interactions in real time.
Exposed analytical plots allow FVG events to be integrated directly into automated logic and broader analytical frameworks.
Visual Control Settings
Traders can choose between standard or shrink display modes and fully customize colors and opacities for bullish, bearish, mitigated, and expired zones, ensuring clear distinction even on busy charts.
This provides a clear visual context for FVG behavior and price interaction over time.
Standard FVG Display Mode
Shrink FVG Display Mode
Indicator Settings & Parameters
Full parameter reference, grouped by configuration area.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Detection & Filters | |
| Allowed Direction | Defines which Fair Value Gaps are processed by the indicator. The BOTH option enables detection of bullish and bearish FVGs, while Long or Short restrict analysis to one directional bias only.
|
| Gap Size Mode | Defines the unit used to measure the size of an FVG gap, providing flexibility across instruments and price scales.
|
| Minimum Gap Size | Sets the minimum allowed FVG size based on the selected Gap Size Mode. This parameter filters out small imbalances that lack structural or trading relevance. |
| FVG Min Length (bars) | Defines the minimum number of bars required for an FVG to be detected. This helps exclude short-lived or insignificant gaps from analysis. |
| Max FVG Duration | Sets the maximum number of bars an FVG can remain active. If no mitigation occurs within this period, the zone is automatically marked as expired. |
| Mitigation | |
| Mitigation Method | Defines when a Fair Value Gap is considered mitigated, allowing adaptation to different execution and analysis styles.
|
| Mitigated Price Type | Specifies which candle price is used to validate mitigation events, depending on whether mitigation should be confirmed by extremes or by closing price.
|
| Display | |
| Show FVG Type | Controls which FVG states are displayed on the chart. Traders can choose to show all detected FVGs, only active zones, or specific inactive states such as mitigated or expired zones. |
| FVG Display Type | Controls how FVG zones are visually rendered on the chart.
|
| Enable FVGs Display Limit | Limits the number of most recent FVGs displayed on the chart, helping maintain visual clarity during extended analysis periods. |
| Alerts | |
| FVG Alerts | Enables alerts for key FVG events, including zone creation, price entry into an FVG, and mitigation. |
Plot Outputs for Strategy Builder & Automation
The indicator provides a set of exposed analytical plot outputs designed for structured integration with third-party strategy builders and automation tools such as BloodHound and BlackBird (SharkIndicators), as well as other algorithmic trading environments.
Bullish FVG
- Bullish FVG Detected> 0
- Bullish FVG Upper BoundaryValue
- Bullish FVG Lower BoundaryValue
- Bullish FVG Touched> 0
- Bullish FVG Mitigated> 0
- Bullish FVG Expired> 0
Bearish FVG
- Bearish FVG Detected> 0
- Bearish FVG Upper BoundaryValue
- Bearish FVG Lower BoundaryValue
- Bearish FVG Touched> 0
- Bearish FVG Mitigated> 0
- Bearish FVG Expired> 0
Plot output names are technical identifiers intended solely for software integration purposes and do not constitute trading advice, signals, or recommendations.
System Requirements & Installation
What you need to run the indicator, how to download and install it in NinjaTrader 8, and how the license works.
System Requirements
- Platform
- NinjaTrader 8 (Desktop)
- Operating system
- Windows 10 or Windows 11
- Instruments
- Futures, forex, stocks and ETFs supported by NinjaTrader
- Data
- NinjaTrader’s native data connections
Not available on NinjaTrader Web or Mobile. NinjaScript indicators run in NinjaTrader Desktop only.
License Terms
- Lifetime License
- This indicator only, 1 PC, one-time payment, free updates included.
- All-Access Subscription
- All indicators and trade copiers, billed monthly, cancel anytime, updates included while the subscription is active.
- Free trial
- 5 days on the subscription plan. If not cancelled, the subscription starts automatically.
- License binding
- Linked to your email and to the computer on which it was first activated.
- Moving to another computer
- Available on request through support.
Installation
- Get access
Start the free trial, subscribe, or buy a lifetime license on this page.
- Download
The indicator is not sent by email. Open (top right of this page) and enter the email you used for your trial, subscription or purchase. The installation file (.zip) downloads to your computer.
- Import into NinjaTrader 8
In the Control Center, go to
Tools → Import → NinjaScript Add-Onand select the downloaded .zip file. Do not unzip it. - Add to a chart
Open a chart, click Indicators, select the indicator from the list and apply it.
- Activate the license
In the indicator settings, enter the same email. On first activation, the license is linked to that email and to your computer.
Updating: When a new version is released, download it again through and import it the same way over the existing version.
Installation questions? Contact support, Monday to Friday.
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"Best Seller" and "Trending" reflect Nordman Algorithms sales and usage data, January–September 2026.
Disclaimer — Software Use & Risk Disclosure
Nordman Algorithms is a trade name of Nordman Algorithms OÜ (Reg. No. 14435535), registered in Tallinn, Estonia.
Software Use
Software Nature & User Responsibility — Nordman Algorithms provides algorithmic software tools for technical analysis. Nordman Algorithms is not a financial advisor and is not liable for any losses. All trades conducted based on the software’s output are executed at the user’s sole discretion and risk.
Visual Markers & Signal Disclosure — This software may display visual markers (such as arrows, dots, or alerts) when predefined mathematical conditions are met. These markers are provided for educational and analytical purposes only, must not be interpreted as financial guidance, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial instrument. Users must independently validate all visual cues within their own trading methodology.
No Financial Advice — Nordman Algorithms does not provide discretionary trading signals, investment advice, or managed signal services. Our software represents a mathematical visualization of historical and real-time data. The appearance of a visual marker does not guarantee a profitable trade or predict future market behavior.
Read the full Terms of Service →Risk Disclosure
Trading Risk Warning — Futures, Forex, and options trading involve significant risk. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing financial security. Only risk capital should be used for trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial amount committed.
ESMA Risk Warning — Financial instruments, especially those involving leverage such as CFDs and Forex, are complex and carry a high risk of rapid financial loss. Our software provides analytical outputs and visual markers based on predefined mathematical conditions and does not mitigate or reduce inherent market risks. You should carefully consider whether you understand how leveraged financial instruments work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your capital.
CFTC Rule 4.41 — Hypothetical or simulated performance results have inherent limitations. Unlike actual performance records, simulated results do not represent real trading. Because trades have not actually been executed, these results may under- or over-compensate for the impact of market factors such as liquidity. Simulated results are also subject to the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will achieve profits or losses similar to those shown.
Read the full Risk Disclosure →Trademark Notice — NinjaTrader® is a registered trademark of NinjaTrader Group, LLC. No NinjaTrader company has any affiliation with the owner, developer, or provider of the products or services described herein, or any interest, ownership or otherwise, in any such product or service, or endorses, recommends or approves any such product or service.
Need a different setup?
We can customize this indicator to your workflow, or convert it into a fully automated trading strategy with risk management and trailing-stop logic. Fixed-price quote before development begins.
