Comparison
Rising Wedge vs Falling Wedge
They are mirror images. In both, the two lines slope the same way and converge, which shows momentum fading in the direction of the slope. A rising wedge slopes up and usually resolves down. A falling wedge slopes down and usually resolves up.
Rising Wedge
bearish bias
A rising wedge has both boundaries sloping upward, with the lower line rising faster than the upper one. Price is still making higher highs, but each push gains less ground, which often precedes a break lower.
Falling Wedge
bullish bias
A falling wedge has both boundaries sloping downward, with the upper line falling faster than the lower one. Price keeps making lower lows, but each drop loses momentum, and a break above the upper line is the bullish trigger.
Side by side
| Aspect | Rising Wedge | Falling Wedge |
|---|---|---|
| Slope | Both lines rise | Both lines fall |
| Usual bias | Bearish | Bullish |
| Confirmation | A close below support | A close above resistance |
| Where it is often seen | Late in an advance, or as a bear-market rally | Late in a decline, or as a pullback in an uptrend |
How to tell them apart on a chart
- Look at the direction both lines point. Up is a rising wedge, down is a falling wedge.
- Check the lines converge. If they run parallel, it is a channel, not a wedge.
- Each needs at least two touches on each line to be drawn with any confidence.
Rising Wedge: confirmation and invalidation
Confirms: A close below the lower trendline.
Invalidated: A strong close above the upper trendline, which breaks the narrowing structure.
Falling Wedge: confirmation and invalidation
Confirms: A close above the upper trendline.
Invalidated: A decisive close below the lower trendline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a wedge and a channel?
A channel's lines run parallel. A wedge's lines converge, which is what shows momentum fading.
Can wedges be continuation patterns?
Yes. A falling wedge inside an uptrend often acts as a pullback before the trend resumes, and a rising wedge inside a downtrend often acts as a bounce before it continues.
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Educational content only, not financial advice. Chart patterns describe probabilities, not certainties, and every pattern can fail. See our disclaimer.