1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion)
Inside bar, the outside bar that swallowed it, inside again, then the break.
An inside bar, the outside bar that swallowed it, another inside bar, then the break of that last inside bar. Compression, violence, compression: the break of the final coil is the volatility expansion.
The engine names this instead of a generic 3-1-2 when the outside bar itself swallowed an inside bar.
Bullish
1, 3, 1, then the break of the last inside bar's high.
Bearish
1, 3, 1, then the break of the last inside bar's low.
Go deeper: 3-1 (Holy Grail) & 1-3 Reversal
How 1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion) alerts have done
Graded record: across 161 resolved break alerts on the 1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion) since Jul 31, 2026, 43.5% hit target 1 before the stop (70 wins, 91 losses). 1 more haven't reached target 1 or the stop yet and aren't counted.
| Timeframe | Resolved | Hit target 1 first |
|---|---|---|
| 4H | 146 | 44.5% |
Timeframes with at least 20 resolved alerts.
Recent graded examples
The 6 most recent resolved 1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion) alerts that are at least 7 days old, wins and losses alike.
- COINOct 2, 10:34 AM ET
- Entry
- 188.26
- Stop
- 189.91
- Target 1
- 184.95
Target 1 hit in 25m
- DASHOct 2, 9:42 AM ET
- Entry
- 180.73
- Stop
- 181.83
- Target 1
- 178.54
Stopped out after 2m
- RBLXOct 2, 9:39 AM ET
- Entry
- 42.62
- Stop
- 43.02
- Target 1
- 41.83
Stopped out after 5m
- SOXXOct 1, 10:11 AM ET
- Entry
- 565.56
- Stop
- 568.29
- Target 1
- 560.10
Stopped out after 18m
- RBLXOct 1, 9:35 AM ET
- Entry
- 42.19
- Stop
- 42.47
- Target 1
- 41.62
Stopped out after 9m
- MSTROct 1, 9:32 AM ET
- Entry
- 152.96
- Stop
- 154.03
- Target 1
- 150.82
Stopped out after 12m
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FAQ
What is a bullish 1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion)?
1, 3, 1, then the break of the last inside bar's high.
What is a bearish 1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion)?
1, 3, 1, then the break of the last inside bar's low.
How are 1-3-1-2 (volatility expansion) alerts graded?
Each alert carries an entry, a stop and target 1 when it fires. It counts as a win if price reaches target 1 before the stop and a loss if the stop trades first; one 15-minute bar touching both counts as a loss. Alerts stay open until one of them happens.
Other patterns
How grading works: every break alert carries an entry, a stop and target 1 when it fires. An alert counts as a win if price reaches target 1 before the stop and a loss if the stop trades first; if one 15-minute bar touches both, it counts as a loss. Alerts stay open until one of them happens. Examples shown here are the most recent resolved alerts at least 7 days old, wins and losses alike. Live alerts and today's levels are for members. Past results don't guarantee future results. Educational content, not financial advice.