Main Page > Articles > William Gann > Gann Angles and the 1x1 Line

Gann Angles and the 1x1 Line

From TradingHabits, the trading encyclopedia · 5 min read · February 28, 2026
The Black Book of Day Trading Strategies
Free Book

The Black Book of Day Trading Strategies

1,000 complete strategies · 31 chapters · Full trade plans

Gann angles are one of the most effective and versatile tools in the Gann toolbox. They are diagonal lines that are drawn from significant price pivots and are used to identify key support and resistance levels, as well as potential trend reversals. At the heart of Gann angle analysis is the 1x1 line, which represents a perfect balance between price and time.

Understanding Gann Angles

Gann angles are based on the principle that price and time move in predictable proportions. Gann identified several important angles, each of which represents a different relationship between price and time. The most important of these is the 1x1 angle, which moves up one unit of price for every one unit of time. Other important angles include the 2x1 (two units of price for one unit of time), the 1x2 (one unit of price for two units of time), the 3x1, 1x3, 4x1, 1x4, and so on.

The Significance of the 1x1 Line

The 1x1 line is the most important of all the Gann angles because it represents a perfect balance between price and time. When a market is trading above the 1x1 line, it is in an uptrend, and when it is trading below the 1x1 line, it is in a downtrend. The 1x1 line can also act as a effective support or resistance level. If a market is in an uptrend and it pulls back to the 1x1 line, it is likely to find support and resume its upward move. Conversely, if a market is in a downtrend and it rallies to the 1x1 line, it is likely to find resistance and resume its downward move.

Drawing Gann Angles

To draw a Gann angle, you first need to identify a significant price pivot. This could be a major top or bottom, or a point of consolidation. Once you have identified the pivot, you can use a Gann fan tool to draw the angles from that point. The Gann fan will typically include the 1x1, 2x1, 1x2, and other important angles.

The Formula for Gann Angles

The slope of a Gann angle is determined by the relationship between price and time. The formula for the slope of a Gann angle is:

Slope = (Price Change) / (Time Change)

For example, the 1x1 angle has a slope of 1, because it moves up one unit of price for every one unit of time. The 2x1 angle has a slope of 2, because it moves up two units of price for every one unit of time.

Gann Angle Relationships

Here is a table of the most important Gann angles and their relationships:

AngleRelationshipSlope
1x88 units of time, 1 unit of price0.125
1x44 units of time, 1 unit of price0.25
1x22 units of time, 1 unit of price0.5
1x11 unit of time, 1 unit of price1
2x11 unit of time, 2 units of price2
4x11 unit of time, 4 units of price4
8x11 unit of time, 8 units of price8

Actionable Examples

Here are a few actionable examples of how you can use Gann angles in your trading:

  • Trend Identification: Use the 1x1 line to identify the primary trend of the market. If the market is above the 1x1 line, it is in an uptrend. If it is below the 1x1 line, it is in a downtrend.
  • Support and Resistance: Use Gann angles to identify key support and resistance levels. When the market approaches a Gann angle, it is likely to find support or resistance.
  • Trend Reversals: Look for the market to break through a significant Gann angle as a sign of a potential trend reversal.

By mastering the art of Gann angle analysis, you can gain a significant edge in the market. These effective tools can help you identify the trend, find key support and resistance levels, and anticipate trend reversals with a high degree of accuracy.