Gann Time & Price Basics
W.D. Gann's core idea: time matters as much as price
W.D. Gann was an early-20th-century trader whose techniques are built on the idea that markets move in geometric, time-based relationships — not just price-based ones. Where most indicators only analyze price, Gann theory treats the passage of TIME itself as a key variable that can signal potential turning points, independent of how far price has moved.
Gann angles: the 1x1 line
The best-known Gann tool is the Gann angle (or "Gann fan") — diagonal trendlines drawn from a significant price pivot at fixed geometric slopes. The most famous is the 1x1 angle (sometimes called the "45-degree line"), representing a balanced rate of one price unit per one time unit; steeper or shallower angles (2x1, 4x1, 1x2, 1x4, etc.) represent faster or slower rates of advance.
- Gann angles: diagonal lines at fixed price/time ratios from a pivot point, used as dynamic support/resistance.
- Gann Square of Nine: a spiral numeric grid used to project potential price/time turning points.
- Time cycles: Gann placed heavy emphasis on anniversaries of past highs/lows and specific day counts repeating in the future.
Pro Tip
Gann methods are genuinely complex and heavily debated — many traders find real value in the core idea (time matters, not just price), without adopting the full historical system literally. Treat this lesson as a conceptual introduction, not a complete trading method.
Check the live Technical Analysis report
Gann Theory needs historical swing points and time cycles this project doesn't store — the report explains exactly why that section is marked unavailable rather than faking it.
Checkpoint Quiz
Checkpoint Quiz
Question 1 of 5What's the central idea that distinguishes Gann theory from most other technical tools?