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Lesson 09 of 17 Equal Lows
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ICT CONCEPTS
09 17

ICT / SMC Concepts · Lesson 09

Equal Lows

Learn how repeated lows around the same price level can reveal an important area in market structure.

  • Beginner
  • Interactive charts
  • Lesson 09
01

What Are Equal Lows?

Equal Lows happen when price forms a meaningful swing low, and later returns to about the same price area without clearly going below it.

In the framework the source uses, traders may read the repeated low as a bullish or support-related clue. It may mark an area of interest. It does not guarantee a reversal.

Your First Equal Lows

Price declines, rallies away, declines again, then turns higher. Nothing is marked yet.

Educational example

Constructed teaching data, not real market data.
02

How to Identify Equal Lows

  1. Step 1: Find a meaningful swing low.
  2. Step 2: Wait for price to move away from that low.
  3. Step 3: Watch price return and form another low near the same level.

Start with the first swing low. Price moves away. Now watch the second decline. If the second low forms near the first, that gives us Equal Lows.

Educational values
FIRST LOW100.00
SECOND LOW100.05
DIFFERENCE0.05
LOW 1 ≈ LOW 2≈ SAME AREA
03

Do the Lows Need to Be Identical?

No. Two lows can still count as approximately equal if one is slightly higher or lower. The goal is not perfect numbers. It is seeing that price tested roughly the same structural area.

Valid EQL 100.00100.08

Low 1: 100.00. Low 2: 100.08. The same area.

Not really EQL 100.00103.00

Low 1: 100.00. Low 2: 103.00. A different area.

Would You Classify This as Equal Lows?

Look at both examples. Decide first, then read the answer under the chart.

Educational example

There is no strict numeric rule here. It is about the same structural area.
04

Not Every Candle Low Counts

The first low should be a meaningful swing low. A random wick inside noisy price should not automatically be labelled as an EQL.

Meaningful swing low SWING LOW

A visible decline, then a visible turn.

Random candle low JUST A WICK

A small wick inside noise.

05

What Might Happen Next?

Equal Lows mark an area where price has struggled to move lower. Several things can happen from there:

Rejection higherPrice turns up from the area.
ConsolidationPrice stalls for a while.
Breakdown belowPrice closes clearly below the lows.
Another retestPrice comes back to the area again.

Two Possible Outcomes

The same Equal Lows. Two different endings.

Educational example

The candles are identical until the second low. Only what follows differs.
06

Why Are Equal Lows Important?

Repeated lows show that price has tested about the same lower area more than once. In the source framework, traders may use this as a bullish clue, or as evidence of a potential support area.

The source also says Equal Lows are usually used together with other context, and that relying on them alone can lead to losses.

!

Common Mistakes

Forcing perfect equality

Correction: The lows only need to form around approximately the same area.

Marking every small low

Correction: Focus on meaningful swing lows.

Assuming EQL means automatic reversal

Correction: Price can still break below the lows.

Using EQL as an entry by itself

Correction: Treat it as market information, not certainty.

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Knowledge Check

Knowledge check

Check 1

A clear swing low, a rally, then a second low at about the same level. Are these Equal Lows?

Knowledge check

Check 2

The second low is significantly higher than the first. Would this normally be considered Equal Lows?

Knowledge check

Check 3

Do Equal Lows guarantee that price will reverse higher?

★

Your Turn

Can You Find the Equal Lows?

Three candidate lows are lettered. Nothing else is marked.

Educational example

Which two lows form the EQL?

Pick a pair to reveal Low 1, Low 2 and the EQL line.

How to find Equal Lows

  1. Step 1: Find a clear swing low.
  2. Step 2: Wait for price to move away.
  3. Step 3: Watch price return.
  4. Step 4: Compare the new low with the first.
  5. Step 5: If they are around the same area, mark EQL.
07

Where Can Equal Lows Appear?

On many timeframes. The source notes that shorter timeframes may suit intraday traders, while hourly or daily charts can suit traders looking at broader moves. No single timeframe is best for everyone.

1m5m15m 1H4HDaily
✓

What You Learned

  • Equal Lows are two meaningful lows around the same price area.
  • The lows do not need to be perfectly identical.
  • The first low should be a meaningful swing low.
  • EQLs may highlight potential support or an important structural area.
  • Equal Lows do not guarantee a bullish reversal.
Key rule

SWING LOW + RETEST NEAR SAME LOW = EQUAL LOWS. An area of interest, not a guaranteed reversal.

Equal LowsSWING LOW
+ RETEST NEAR SAME LOW
= EQUAL LOWS
RememberEQUAL LOWS
= AREA OF INTEREST
≠ GUARANTEED REVERSAL

The whole lesson in one picture

EQL AREA LOW 1LOW 2 ↓ AREA OF INTEREST ↓ REACTION OR BREAKDOWN

All lessons

01Fair Value Gaps 02Inversion Fair Value Gaps 03Order Blocks 04Breaker Blocks 05Break of Structure 06Change of Character 07Change of Character Plus 08Equal Highs 09 · You are hereEqual Lows 10Liquidity 11Liquidity Grabs 12Premium & Discount Zones 13Propulsion Blocks 14Liquidity Sweeps 15Change in State of Delivery 16Balanced Price Range 17Breakaway Gap

Further reading

Educational content only — not investment advice. Equal Lows are an ICT / SMC interpretation of price, not a proven market law. The source describes them as a bullish clue but warns that relying on them alone can lead to losses. All charts use constructed, illustrative data.