/// Indicator

Value Area
Heatmap.

Visualizes volume distribution across price levels using a dynamic heatmap, highlighting high-liquidity zones and low-volume nodes.

Volume Profile Heatmap Value Area POC Liquidity

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TradingView v1.0.0 Updated 2026-02-20

Crash bottom - BTCUSD, 1D

/// Introduction

Overview

The Problem

Traditional volume bars only show volume per time period, not per price level. This makes it difficult to identify where the real support and resistance levels are based on actual trading activity.

The Solution

Value Area Heatmap projects volume onto the Y-axis (price) using a color-coded heatmap. It automatically anchors to significant time periods or uses a rolling window, making it easy to spot the Point of Control (POC) and liquidity voids.

Who It's For

Day traders, swing traders, and order flow traders looking for volume-backed support/resistance and value areas.

/// Features

Key Features

Dual Modes: Choose between Anchored (resets at specific time intervals) or Rolling (fixed lookback window) volume profiles.

Auto-Anchoring: Automatically selects the best anchor period (Session, Week, Month, etc.) based on your current chart timeframe.

Dynamic Heatmap: Color-coded overlay that visualizes volume intensity across price levels in real time.

Advanced Transparency: Choose between Weighted or Sequential calculation formulas, and Normal or Inversed modes to highlight either high or low volume nodes.

Theme Awareness: Pre-built styling for Light and Dark modes, plus custom color options.

/// Concepts

How It Works

Volume Distribution

The indicator analyzes the volume traded at each price level within the selected period, building a complete picture of where the most trading activity occurred.

Heatmap Rendering

Price zones are colored based on their relative volume. By default, areas with higher volume are more visible, while areas with lower volume fade out. This creates an intuitive visual 'heatmap' of trading activity.

Point of Control (POC)

The price level with the highest trading activity is identified as the Point of Control (POC), representing the fairest price for that period.

/// Playbook

How To Use

Quickstart

Add Value Area Heatmap to your chart.
Select your preferred Mode (Anchored is great for session trading, Rolling for continuous analysis).
If using Anchored, leave Anchor Type on 'Auto' or select a specific period like 'Session' or 'Week'.
Look for the brightest/most opaque bands—these are high volume nodes (Support/Resistance).
Look for the darkest/most transparent bands—these are low volume nodes (liquidity voids where price moves quickly).

Interpretation

High Volume Nodes (HVN): Areas of high opacity. Price tends to chop or consolidate here as it represents 'fair value'. They act as strong support or resistance.
Low Volume Nodes (LVN): Areas of high transparency. Price tends to move quickly through these zones as there is little historical liquidity to stop it.
Point of Control (POC): The single highest volume level. It acts as a magnet for price and a strong pivot point.

/// Reference

Visual Legend

Element	Meaning	Interpretation	Common Mistake
Opaque/Bright Bands	High Volume Nodes (HVN) — areas of heavy trading activity.	Expect price to slow down, consolidate, or reverse here.	Expecting price to easily slice through these thick zones.
Transparent/Dark Bands	Low Volume Nodes (LVN) — liquidity voids.	Expect fast price movement through these areas.	Placing tight stops in the middle of an LVN.

/// Configuration

Settings Reference

Main

Mode

Anchored: Resets the profile at the start of a new period. Rolling: Calculates the profile over a fixed number of recent bars.

Anchor Type

The time period to anchor the profile to (e.g., Session, Week, Month). 'Auto' selects the best period based on the chart timeframe.

Rolling Lookback Period

Number of bars used for volume profile calculation when Mode is set to 'Rolling'.

Advanced

Transparency Mode

Normal: high volume = more visible. Inversed: low volume = more visible.

Transparency Calculation Formula

Controls how volume differences map to visual intensity. Each formula produces a different contrast profile for the heatmap.

Weight Power

Adjusts the contrast of the heatmap when using the Weighted formula.

Style

Theme

Dark/Light: preset colors for dark/light chart backgrounds. Custom: use the color picker below.

Channel Color

The base color used for the heatmap channels.

/// Alerts

Alert Types

POC Crossed

Triggered when the price crosses above or below the Point of Control (POC).

Entered High Volume Zone

Triggered when the price enters a high-volume area of the current profile.

Entered Low Volume Zone

Triggered when the price enters a low-volume area of the current profile.

/// FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are using 'Anchored' mode, the profile resets at the beginning of each new anchor period (e.g., a new day or week) to show only the volume for that specific period.

The indicator selects an appropriate anchor period based on your chart's timeframe, pairing shorter timeframes with shorter anchor periods and longer timeframes with broader ones.

The POC is represented by the most visible band in the heatmap. It is shown visually as a zone, and an exact price level is available for alert conditions.

/// Subscriptions