Volume profile explained
A volume profile shows how much traded at each price over a period. It marks the prices the market accepted and the ones it rejected.
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The parts of a profile
- Point of control (POC): the price with the most volume. The market's idea of fair value for that period.
- Value area: the range around the POC holding most of the volume, usually 70%. Its top is the value area high (VAH) and its bottom the value area low (VAL).
- High volume node (HVN): a thick part of the profile. Price spent time and traded heavily there, so it tends to slow down when it returns.
- Low volume node (LVN): a thin part. Price moved through quickly, and tends to move through it quickly again.
Common ways traders use it
- Opening inside yesterday's value area: expect rotation between VAH and VAL.
- Opening outside it and staying out: the market is looking for new value, and trends are more likely.
- Price returning to a previous POC: a common place for a reaction.
- A thin LVN between two thick nodes: a fast-move zone, and a natural spot for stops to sit behind.
Which profile to use
A session profile builds one profile per day or session, which suits intraday trading. A visible range profile covers whatever is on screen. A fixed range profile covers exactly the bars you choose, for example a single swing or a news move. DM Charts has all three.
A footprint chart is a volume profile for each single candle, so the two work well together.
Try it
Open the chart on Bitcoin, add a session volume profile and mark yesterday's POC, VAH and VAL. Watch how price behaves at them today.
Questions
- What is the POC in volume profile?
- The point of control: the single price where the most volume traded in the period.
- What is the value area?
- The range of prices around the POC where about 70% of the period's volume traded.
Updated 8 November 2026