What is a Double Bottom Pattern?

Quick Answer: A double bottom is a bullish reversal pattern with two troughs at similar levels, showing buyers are defending support. Confirmed when price breaks resistance between the bottoms.

What is a Double Bottom?

A double bottom is a bullish reversal pattern where price tests the same support level twice, fails to break lower both times, and then rallies through resistance to confirm a trend change. The pattern signals that sellers have exhausted and buyers have accumulated positions, setting up a potential uptrend.

Double Bottom Pattern

Bullish reversal pattern - Two troughs at support

Double Bottom PatternA bullish reversal chart pattern showing two troughs at approximately the same price level, separated by a moderate peak. When price breaks above the peak (neckline), it signals a trend reversal from bearish to bullish.Trough 1Trough 2NecklineSupport LevelBreakoutTarget"W" Shape
Key Characteristics:
  • Two troughs at approximately same level
  • Troughs separated by moderate peak
  • Forms after extended downtrend
  • Volume typically increases on second trough
  • Confirmation on break above neckline

Price Target:

Distance from troughs to neckline, projected upward from breakout point

What This Pattern Shows:

After a downtrend, sellers push price to a support level (first trough) but cannot push lower. After a bounce, sellers attempt again to break support (second trough) but fail with lower selling volume, showing weakening momentum. When price breaks above the peak between the troughs, it confirms that buyers have taken control and the downtrend has ended.

Trading Guidelines:
  • • Wait for price to break above neckline with volume
  • • Entry on pullback test of broken neckline (now support)
  • • Stop loss below second trough
  • • Target: height of pattern projected from neckline
  • • Troughs should be at least 10-15% apart in time
  • • Higher volume on second trough strengthens pattern

Structure

  • Two swing lows: Price forms two distinct lows at approximately the same level, separated by a rally between them
  • Neckline resistance: The interim high creates a resistance level that must be broken to confirm the pattern
  • Volume expansion: Breakouts above the neckline typically show increasing participation and conviction
  • Measured move: Target equals the pattern height (low to neckline) projected upward from breakout

Trading the Reversal

Enter after price closes above the neckline with volume confirmation. Place stops below the second low. The measured target equals pattern height projected upward—if lows are at 1.0500 and neckline at 1.0650, target 1.0800 (150 pips higher).

Validation Checklist

  • Confirm a clear downtrend preceded the pattern—reversals need something to reverse
  • Look for bullish divergence on oscillators at the second low, showing momentum shifting
  • Wait for decisive neckline breakout with expanding volume
  • Consider entering on breakout or retest of broken neckline as new support
  • Manage targets around former resistance zones and use trailing stops

Advanced Guidance

Build a repeatable, rules‑based process so decisions are consistent across sessions and instruments. Start from context (higher‑timeframe structure, positioning, macro tone), then define precise triggers and invalidation on execution charts. Track spread and depth so your order type matches conditions. Pre‑compute scenarios (breakout, fakeout, mean‑revert) and map actions for each to reduce hesitation.

Execution Framework

  • Plan entries at levels with confluence (structure, momentum, time‑of‑day).
  • Place stops beyond the logical invalidation, not arbitrary distances.
  • Target at least 2–3R; scale out methodically and trail remainder.
  • Avoid thin liquidity windows unless the setup explicitly requires it.
  • Record slippage and spreads; poor fills can erase edge.

Review Loop

  • Journal setups by session and pair to learn where they excel.
  • Tag trades by catalyst (news, trend continuation, range breakout).
  • Recalculate expectancy monthly; prune underperforming variants.

Risk Controls

Keep daily loss limits, reduce size after consecutive losses, and pause during regime shifts. Survival enables compounding; treat discipline and execution quality as part of your edge.