Unicorn Model Calculator
Calculate ICT unicorn model setups combining breaker blocks with FVGs for high-probability entries.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Overlap Zone = max(Breaker Low, FVG Low) to min(Breaker High, FVG High)
The Unicorn Model overlap zone is the price area where the breaker block and fair value gap converge. The entry is at the midpoint of this overlap zone, with stop loss beyond the zone boundary. Higher overlap percentages indicate stronger setups.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Bullish Unicorn Model on EUR/USD
Problem:Breaker block: 1.0940-1.0980. Bullish FVG: 1.0955-1.0975. Calculate the overlap zone, entry, SL, and TP at 3:1 RRR.
Solution:Overlap High = min(1.0980, 1.0975) = 1.0975\nOverlap Low = max(1.0940, 1.0955) = 1.0955\nOverlap Range = 1.0975 - 1.0955 = 0.0020 (20 pips)\nOverlap % = 20 / 20 (FVG range) = 100% (Premium A+)\nEntry at overlap midpoint = (1.0975 + 1.0955) / 2 = 1.0965\nSL = 1.0955 - 0.0005 = 1.0950 (15 pips risk)\nTP = 1.0965 + 0.0015 x 3 = 1.1010 (45 pips reward)
Result:Overlap: 1.0955-1.0975 (100% - A+) | Entry: 1.0965 | SL: 1.0950 | TP: 1.1010 | 3:1 RRR
Example 2: Bearish Unicorn Model on GBP/USD
Problem:Breaker block: 1.2700-1.2750. Bearish FVG: 1.2720-1.2745. Find the Unicorn setup levels with 4:1 RRR.
Solution:Overlap High = min(1.2750, 1.2745) = 1.2745\nOverlap Low = max(1.2700, 1.2720) = 1.2720\nOverlap Range = 1.2745 - 1.2720 = 0.0025 (25 pips)\nFVG Range = 0.0025, Overlap % = 25/25 = 100% (A+)\nEntry = (1.2745 + 1.2720) / 2 = 1.27325\nSL = 1.2745 + 0.0005 = 1.2750 (17.5 pips)\nTP = 1.27325 - 0.00175 x 4 = 1.2663 (70 pips)
Result:Overlap: 1.2720-1.2745 (100% - A+) | Entry: 1.27325 | SL: 1.2750 | TP: 1.2663 | 4:1 RRR
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a breaker block for the Unicorn Model?
A breaker block forms when a previous order block is violated by price, causing it to change its function from support to resistance or vice versa. To identify one, first find a swing high or swing low that was created by a clear order block. Then watch for price to break through that order block definitively, sweeping the liquidity beyond it. The candle body of the original order block now becomes the breaker block. For a bullish unicorn setup, you need a bearish breaker block that has been broken to the upside. For a bearish setup, you need a bullish breaker block broken to the downside. The breaker block represents where trapped traders had their stops taken and institutional orders were accumulated.
What makes the overlap zone so important in the Unicorn Model?
The overlap zone between the breaker block and the FVG is the core of the Unicorn Model because it represents where two distinct institutional footprints converge at the same price level. The breaker block indicates where trapped orders were accumulated after a structural break, while the FVG shows where an imbalance in order flow created a gap that price tends to fill. When these two zones overlap, it means institutional buying or selling interest exists at that level from two independent sources. This double confluence dramatically increases the probability of a reaction. The larger the overlap percentage, the stronger the setup quality. A 70 percent or greater overlap is considered an A-plus setup with the highest probability of success.
What is the minimum overlap percentage for a valid Unicorn setup?
In ICT methodology, the minimum overlap percentage for a tradeable Unicorn Model setup is approximately 30 percent, though higher overlap percentages produce better results. Setups with 70 percent or greater overlap are classified as premium (A-plus) quality and offer the highest probability of a strong reaction. Setups between 50 and 70 percent are standard (A grade) quality and still provide excellent trading opportunities. Between 30 and 50 percent overlap is considered acceptable (B grade) but should be traded with tighter risk management. Below 30 percent overlap, the setup is generally considered too weak to trade reliably. The overlap percentage is calculated relative to the smaller of the two zones (breaker block or FVG), ensuring the metric reflects meaningful convergence.
Can the Unicorn Model be used on all timeframes?
The Unicorn Model can be identified on any timeframe, but it is most reliable on the 15-minute through 4-hour charts. On very low timeframes like the 1-minute or 5-minute, the breaker blocks and FVGs may be too small to represent significant institutional activity, leading to lower success rates. On daily and weekly charts, Unicorn setups are extremely rare but exceptionally powerful when they do form. The recommended approach is to identify the Unicorn Model on the 1-hour or 4-hour chart for the structural setup, then drill down to the 15-minute chart for precise entry timing within the overlap zone. This multi-timeframe approach ensures you are trading setups with genuine institutional significance while still achieving precise entries.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy