Judas Swing Calculator
Identify and calculate the parameters of ICT Judas Swing setups in session opens. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Judas Ratio = True Move / False Move
The false move is measured from the session open to the Judas Swing extreme. The true move is from the session open to the current price in the opposite direction. The Judas Ratio shows how far the true move has traveled relative to the trap. ADR context determines remaining range potential.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Bearish Judas Swing at London Open
Problem:EUR/USD opens London session at 1.0850. Price sweeps up to 1.0880 (30 pips false move) then reverses. Current price is 1.0820. ADR is 80 pips. Analyze the setup.
Solution:Session Open: 1.0850\nFalse Move High: 1.0880 (Judas Swing = 30 pips up)\nTrue Move: 1.0850 - 1.0820 = 30 pips down so far\nJudas Ratio: 30/30 = 1.0 (true move equals false move)\nFalse Move % of ADR: 30/80 = 37.5%\nRemaining ADR: 80 - 60 = 20 pips potential\nProjected Target: 1.0880 - 0.0080 = 1.0800
Result:Bearish Judas confirmed | False: 30 pips | True: 30 pips so far | Target: 1.0800 | Judas Ratio: 1.0
Example 2: Bullish Judas Swing at New York Open
Problem:GBP/USD opens NY session at 1.2650. Price dips to 1.2620 (sweeping London low) then reverses up. Current price is 1.2680. ADR is 100 pips.
Solution:Session Open: 1.2650\nFalse Move Low: 1.2620 (Judas Swing = 30 pips down)\nTrue Move: 1.2680 - 1.2650 = 30 pips up so far\nJudas Ratio: 30/30 = 1.0\nFalse Move % of ADR: 30/100 = 30%\nRemaining ADR: 100 - 60 = 40 pips potential\n-1.618 extension from false move: 1.2620 + (0.0030 x 1.618) = 1.2669\n-2.618 extension: 1.2620 + (0.0030 x 2.618) = 1.2699
Result:Bullish Judas confirmed | False: 30 pips | True: 30 pips so far | Ideal setup (30% ADR) | 40 pips remaining
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICT Judas Swing and why is it called that?
The ICT Judas Swing is a deceptive price movement that occurs at the open of a trading session, named after the biblical figure Judas who betrayed with a kiss. In trading terms, the market initially moves in one direction at the session open (the false or Judas move) to sweep liquidity and trap early traders, before reversing sharply in the true intended direction. This concept was popularized by Michael J. Huddleston (ICT) as part of the Smart Money Concepts framework. The Judas Swing typically occurs during the first 30-90 minutes of the London or New York session, making it a predictable pattern for traders who understand institutional order flow mechanics.
How do you identify a Judas Swing setup in real time?
Identifying a Judas Swing requires monitoring the session open during killzone hours. First, note the session opening price at the London open (2 AM EST) or New York open (7 AM EST). Watch for an initial move in one direction that sweeps an obvious liquidity level such as the previous session high or low, an Asian range extreme, or a short-term swing point. The false move typically covers 15-30% of the Average Daily Range. Look for signs of exhaustion including long wicks, decreasing volume, and failure to hold above or below the swept level. When price reverses back through the session open with displacement (strong momentum candles), the Judas Swing is confirmed and the true move is underway.
What role does the Average Daily Range play in Judas Swing analysis?
The Average Daily Range (ADR) is crucial for Judas Swing analysis because it provides context for how far the false move and true move should travel. The false move (Judas swing) typically consumes 15-30% of the ADR, while the remaining 70-85% is available for the true directional move. If the false move exceeds 40-50% of the ADR, the setup becomes less reliable as too much of the daily range has been used. Traders use ADR to set realistic profit targets: if the ADR is 80 pips and the false move consumed 20 pips, the true move has approximately 60 pips of potential range remaining. This helps with trade management and setting expectations for the day.
During which trading sessions do Judas Swings most commonly occur?
Judas Swings most frequently occur during the London session open (2-5 AM EST) and the New York session open (7-10 AM EST), which ICT refers to as killzones. The London killzone Judas Swing often targets the Asian session high or low before reversing. The New York killzone Judas Swing may target the London session extreme or a key daily level. The London session tends to produce the most reliable Judas Swings on EUR/USD and GBP/USD, while the New York session is more relevant for USD pairs and indices. The overlap period between London and New York (8-11 AM EST) can produce Judas Swings on any major pair due to increased institutional participation.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy