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Written by Nathalie Okde
Fact checked by Samer Hasn
Updated 11 June 2025
Long Legged Doji is a candlestick pattern that you can use to identify moments of indecision in the market.
It forms when the price moves significantly in both directions during a trading session but closes near the opening level, leaving long upper and lower wicks.
This pattern doesn’t point clearly to bullish or bearish sentiment. Instead, it reflects a temporary balance between buying and selling pressure. While it’s neutral on its own, its significance increases when it appears at key technical areas like support or resistance.
In this article, we’ll break down how the long-legged doji forms, what it means, and how to incorporate it into a trading strategy with the help of real examples and practical tips.
The Long Legged Doji represents high volatility and indecision, where buyers and sellers both attempt control but neither succeed.
It becomes especially relevant at key support or resistance levels, often hinting at a potential reversal.
This pattern is more effective when paired with volume confirmation or indicators like RSI and MACD.
It’s flexible across timeframes and trading styles, but reliability improves on higher timeframe charts.
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A long-legged doji is a type of Japanese candlestick pattern that reflects extreme market indecision.
It forms when the price opens and closes at nearly the same level, but experiences high volatility throughout the session, creating long wicks on both ends.
This shape signals that bulls and bears both tried to take control, but neither succeeded.
The long legged doji candlestick forms when the price moves significantly in both directions during a trading session but ultimately settles back to or near the starting point.
The long shadows (or “legs”) on both sides are key characteristics. The equal open and close price shows a neutral stance from traders.
A red long-legged doji means the candle closed slightly below its opening price.
While it still shows indecision, the slight bearish bias might signal that sellers were slightly stronger by the close.
A green long legged doji closes slightly above the opening price. Again, it's mostly neutral, but with a mild tilt toward buying pressure by the end of the session.
On the candlestick chart below, the long-legged doji pattern appears twice, each time offering valuable insight when viewed in context.
The first signals a failed breakout above the trendline, while the second reflects hesitation to push beyond resistance.
These candles highlight moments of market indecision and can act as early warnings of potential reversals or stalls in momentum.
While all doji candlesticks reflect some level of market indecision, the long-legged doji stands out due to its extreme volatility and extended shadows.
Understanding how it compares to other types of doji patterns helps you better interpret its meaning.
A standard doji typically has very short upper and lower shadows, indicating that price movement during the session was minimal.
This doji candle chart pattern appears when the market is calm and neither buyers nor sellers are taking strong control.
On the other hand, a long-legged doji features long upper and lower wicks, which represent significant price swings in both directions before ultimately closing near the open.
This highlights a higher level of market uncertainty and volatility, making it more meaningful when it appears near support and resistance zones.
The dragonfly doji has a long lower shadow with little to no upper shadow.
It often shows that sellers pushed prices lower during the session, but buyers stepped in strongly and brought the price back up to the opening level.
This is generally seen as a bullish reversal signal, especially in a downtrend.
On the other hand, a long-legged doji doesn’t favor either direction. It reflects indecision from both buyers and sellers, as both attempted to dominate but ended up canceling each other out.
This makes it more neutral in interpretation, requiring confirmation from the next candles.
A gravestone doji has a long upper shadow and no lower wick.
It typically signals that buyers pushed the price up during the session, but couldn’t sustain the move, and sellers brought the price back down to the opening level.
This is often viewed as a bearish reversal signal, especially after an uptrend.
In comparison, the long-legged doji is again more balanced and less directional.
Its double-sided shadows suggest rejection from both sides, making it a classic candlestick indecision pattern rather than a pure reversal indicator.
Interpreting the long-legged doji all comes down to market context.
In an uptrend, it might be a sign that the bullish momentum is weakening. Buyers are starting to hesitate, and sellers are testing the waters.
In a downtrend, sellers are losing steam, and buyers are beginning to step in.
Either way, it’s a signal that the current trend could be running out of fuel.
But here’s the key: this pattern becomes especially significant when it forms near support or resistance levels.
At those points, the battle between bulls and bears is more intense.
So, if you see a long-legged doji sitting at the edge of a support zone, it might be a sign that the price is about to reverse or pause.
In order to accurately use the long legged doji in trading, you must understand its formation and accuracy.
This pattern usually shows up during moments of market tension and high volatility.
You’ll often see it around major news events, earnings reports, or after a sharp price move when traders aren’t sure what’s next.
You won’t see this pattern every day. It’s relatively rare, especially in its textbook form. But that’s what makes it effective is that when it shows up, it deserves attention.
On its own, it’s a neutral trading signal. But when it appears at a major price level and is backed by volume confirmation, it becomes a strong trend reversal indicator.
Yes, you can increase long legged doji accuracy by combining it with technical analysis indicators like moving averages, RSI, or MACD to filter out false signals and confirm the setup.
Yes, the long legged doji is a flexible pattern and can be used in different settings.
Short-term traders often use it on intraday charts (like 15-minute or hourly) to catch quick reversals.
Swing traders or position traders spot it on daily or weekly charts to identify major turning points.
The key is adjusting your timeframe and indicators accordingly.
You’ll get the most out of this pattern in ranging markets, near trend exhaustion zones, or during periods of price consolidation.
Avoid relying on it when the market is choppy or lacking volume. Conditions like that can produce false signals.
Look for it during high-volume sessions or at the end of strong directional moves to catch real potential turning points.
Trading the long-legged doji isn’t just about spotting the candle and jumping in, it's about understanding the context. Here's how you can spot entry and exit signals with this pattern.
The entry should always come after confirmation. That means you wait for the next candle to break out in a clear direction.
For example:
If the long-legged doji forms after a downtrend, and the next candle breaks above the high of the doji with solid volume, it could be your buy signal.
If it appears after an uptrend, and the next candle breaks below the low, that could be your sell trigger.
To improve accuracy, some traders wait for a close beyond the high or low of the doji rather than just an intraday breakout.
When it comes to exits, keep it strategic. Use previous support or resistance zones as your first reference.
If you entered a trade after a confirmed breakout, set a stop-loss order just below or above the doji’s wick, depending on the trade direction.
For profit-taking, look for:
Key price levels or Fibonacci retracement zones
A set risk-reward ratio (e.g., 1:2 or 1:3)
Exit if another indecision candle appears or if momentum indicators like RSI show divergence.
Trailing stops can also be effective if the trade goes in your favor.
Yes, and you definitely should. Using indicators helps confirm the doji’s message and filters out false signals.
Some great combinations include:
Volume: A doji with high volume signals strong buyer-seller conflict and adds credibility.
Moving Averages: If the doji forms near the 50-day or 200-day MA, it's worth watching.
Relative Strength Index (RSI indicator): If the RSI shows overbought or oversold conditions while a long-legged doji forms, the chances of reversal increase.
MACD Indicator: Look for a crossover or divergence around the same time to boost confirmation.
The best timeframe really depends on your trading style:
Scalpers/Day Traders: Can spot and act on long-legged doji patterns on 15-minute to 1-hour charts.
Swing Traders: Often look at 4-hour to daily charts to capture medium-term moves.
Position Traders: Prefer daily and weekly charts, where the doji can mark key turning points.
Generally, the higher the timeframe, the more reliable the pattern becomes.
Shows market indecision clearly
Works as a reversal signal in key areas
Easy to spot on charts
Can be combined with indicators for strong setups
Neutral signal without confirmation
Can appear in false breakout zones
Needs support from other tools for accuracy
Might lead to whipsaw trades in choppy markets
The long-legged doji may seem subtle, but it can offer meaningful insight when used correctly.
It’s a clear sign that the market is undecided, often occurring at points where trends pause, shift, or weaken. While it shouldn't be traded in isolation, it becomes more useful when combined with technical indicators, volume analysis, or broader chart patterns.
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Patterns with strong directional closes like Marubozu candles are considered opposite of the long legged doji, as they show clear market conviction.
Other types of the doji candlesticks include the Dragonfly Doji, Gravestone Doji, and Standard Doji.
The Spinning Top is similar to the long legged doji, though its shadows and real body are usually smaller.
It can be, if it appears at the bottom of a downtrend and is confirmed by a bullish candle.
A spinning top has a small real body and short shadows. The long-legged doji has nearly no body and very long shadows.
That’s a strong sign of price rejection and potential trend change, the market had a battle, and many participated.
SEO Content Writer
Nathalie Okde is an SEO content writer with nearly two years of experience, specializing in educational finance and trading content. Nathalie combines analytical thinking with a passion for writing to make complex financial topics accessible and engaging for readers.
Market Analyst
Samer has a Bachelor Degree in economics with the specialization of banking and insurance. He is a senior market analyst at XS.com and focuses his research on currency, bond and cryptocurrency markets. He also prepares detailed written educational lessons related to various asset classes and trading strategies.
This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas and may not reflect those of the Company. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. XS, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same. Our platform may not offer all the products or services mentioned.
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