Understanding market volume is a cornerstone of technical analysis, and one of the most insightful tools for this purpose is the Relative Volume at Time (RVOL) indicator. Originally developed as an open-source script on TradingView, this version by Julien_Eche offers a personalized enhancement to the original design—making it more visually intuitive and functionally consistent with common trading terminology.
This refined RVOL indicator doesn’t alter the core mechanics but introduces small yet impactful improvements that cater to daily traders who rely on precision and clarity. Whether you're analyzing intraday movements or long-term trends, this tool helps uncover hidden momentum by comparing current volume activity against historical benchmarks.
👉 Discover how volume patterns can reveal powerful trading signals before price moves.
What Is Relative Volume at Time?
The Relative Volume at Time indicator evaluates whether the current trading volume is higher or lower than average for the same time period in previous sessions. Unlike standard volume indicators that only show raw numbers, RVOL contextualizes volume within a temporal framework—revealing unusual activity that could signal upcoming breakouts, reversals, or sustained trends.
By default, the indicator calculates the average volume at each specific time across a user-defined number of past periods. For example:
- On a daily chart, it compares today’s volume (at any given moment) to the average volume at the same time over the last N days.
- On an hourly chart, it compares the current hour’s volume to the same hour over the past N days.
- On a weekly chart, it compares this week’s cumulative volume to the average of the last N weeks.
This time-based normalization allows traders to detect anomalies—such as unusually high morning volume or late-session surges—that may precede significant price action.
Key Enhancements in This Version
While fully preserving the functionality of the original script, this customized version includes two practical upgrades:
1. Customizable Color Options
Traders often use multiple indicators simultaneously, and visual harmony matters. This version allows full control over the color scheme of volume bars. You can now set colors that align with your chart theme or highlight key thresholds (e.g., green for above-average volume, red for below-average). This improves readability and reduces cognitive load during fast-moving markets.
2. Updated Short Title: “RVOL”
The abbreviation has been changed from “RelVol” to RVOL, which is more widely recognized in professional trading circles. This minor naming adjustment enhances consistency with industry standards and improves searchability across platforms and communities.
These changes were made not to reinvent the wheel, but to fine-tune a tool that’s already proven effective—making it better suited for real-world trading environments where customization and clarity are critical.
How to Use RVOL in Your Trading Strategy
Volume often leads price. When traders see unusually high volume at a particular time of day, it can indicate institutional participation, news reactions, or positioning ahead of major moves. Here's how to apply RVOL effectively:
Identify Breakout Potential
If volume spikes significantly above the historical average at a key support or resistance level, it may confirm a breakout rather than a false move. For example, if BTC/USD shows 2x average volume at 9:00 AM UTC while breaking a multi-day resistance, that adds conviction to the upward move.
Spot Exhaustion Moves
Conversely, if price rises sharply but RVOL remains low, the move might lack broad participation—hinting at a potential reversal. Low relative volume during a rally suggests limited interest, possibly driven by thin liquidity or algorithmic noise.
Time Your Entries
Certain assets exhibit predictable volume patterns. For instance, U.S.-listed stocks typically see peak volume during the first and last hours of trading. Cryptocurrencies often surge around 14:00–16:00 UTC due to global market overlap. Using RVOL, you can validate whether today’s pattern fits—or breaks—the norm.
👉 Learn how real-time volume analysis can give you an edge in fast-moving markets.
Practical Examples Across Timeframes
Let’s explore how RVOL performs in different scenarios:
Daily Chart (1D, Length = 10)
Each bar compares today’s volume (up to the current time) with the average volume at the same time over the past 10 days. A reading above 1.5 means volume is 50% higher than normal—potentially signaling strong interest.
Hourly Chart (1H, Length = 5)
At 10:00 AM today, the indicator compares volume from 10:00–11:00 with the average of the same hour from the prior five trading days. If today’s 10 AM bar is bright green and towering over others, it suggests something notable is happening—perhaps an earnings release or macroeconomic data drop.
Weekly Chart (1W, Length = 8)
This setting reveals broader institutional trends. If this week’s total volume exceeds the eight-week average by a wide margin, it could reflect strategic positioning ahead of a major event like an FOMC meeting or regulatory decision.
No matter the timeframe, RVOL turns raw volume into actionable insight by answering one simple question: Is today different from yesterday?
Why Contextual Volume Matters
Raw volume data tells you how much is being traded—but not how unusual that amount is. Two days with identical total volume might have completely different intraday distributions:
- One day could have steady, even activity.
- Another could see 70% of volume in a single volatile hour.
RVOL captures these nuances. It helps traders distinguish between organic flow and artificial spikes, between sustained interest and fleeting noise.
Moreover, because it adjusts for incomplete bars, the indicator remains reliable even mid-session. It estimates unconfirmed volume based on current pace, giving you a forward-looking view without waiting for the candle to close.
Core Keywords for SEO Optimization
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These terms reflect common search queries from active traders seeking tools to improve timing, confirm breakouts, and understand market dynamics through volume behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can RVOL be used on cryptocurrency charts?
A: Absolutely. RVOL works on any asset with time-series volume data—including cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex, and futures. Its ability to highlight abnormal volume makes it especially useful in 24/7 crypto markets where timing insights are harder to spot.
Q: Does RVOL predict price direction?
A: Not directly. RVOL measures volume deviation, not price movement. However, extreme readings often precede price changes, making it a valuable leading indicator when combined with price action and other technical tools.
Q: How do I interpret an RVOL value of 2.0?
A: An RVOL of 2.0 means current volume is twice the historical average for that time period. This often signals heightened interest and potential volatility ahead.
Q: Can I adjust the lookback length?
A: Yes. The indicator allows you to set the number of previous sessions used in the average calculation—typically between 5 and 20, depending on your trading horizon.
Q: Is this script free to use?
A: Yes. Like many TradingView community scripts, this version is open-source and free to use within the platform’s guidelines.
Q: Does RVOL work on tick or range charts?
A: It performs best on time-based charts (e.g., 1-minute, 1-hour, daily). Non-standard charts may distort the time alignment needed for accurate comparisons.
Final Thoughts
The Relative Volume at Time (RVOL) indicator is more than just a visual upgrade—it's a smarter way to interpret market activity. By normalizing volume against historical patterns at identical times, it reveals what raw data hides: when something out of the ordinary is happening.
Whether you're scanning for early breakout signals, validating trade entries, or simply monitoring market health, RVOL adds a layer of context that every serious trader should have.
👉 Start applying advanced volume analysis in your strategy today—see how RVOL can elevate your edge.