While standard floor pivots are widely used, two specialized variations offer unique edges: Fibonacci pivots (which combine mathematical ratios with range expansion) and Camarilla pivots (designed specifically for intraday mean-reversion and breakout execution).
Fibonacci Pivot Points
Fibonacci pivots calculate the central pivot identical to standard pivots, but derive R1/R2/R3 and S1/S2/S3 by multiplying the prior day's range by the golden ratio proportions 0.382, 0.618, and 1.000.
Camarilla Pivot Points
Invented in 1989 by bond trader Nick Stott, Camarilla pivots produce 8 distinct levels. The key levels are H3/L3 (which act as strong mean-reversion reversal boundaries) and H4/L4 (which serve as breakout acceleration triggers).
The Camarilla L3/H3 and L4/H4 Levels
In range-bound sessions, price tends to bounce between L3 (support) and H3 (resistance). However, if price breaks past H4 or L4, it indicates an explosive intraday breakout. Traders buy long above H4 targeting H5, or sell short below L4 targeting L5.
Full Formulas & Worked Numerical Examples
Range = Previous High − Previous Low Resistance Levels: R4 = Close + (Range × 1.1 ÷ 2) [Breakout Buy Trigger] R3 = Close + (Range × 1.1 ÷ 4) [Mean Reversion Sell Target] R2 = Close + (Range × 1.1 ÷ 6) R1 = Close + (Range × 1.1 ÷ 12) Support Levels: S1 = Close − (Range × 1.1 ÷ 12) S2 = Close − (Range × 1.1 ÷ 6) S3 = Close − (Range × 1.1 ÷ 4) [Mean Reversion Buy Target] S4 = Close − (Range × 1.1 ÷ 2) [Breakout Sell Trigger]
PP = (High + Low + Close) ÷ 3 Range = High − Low R1 = PP + (Range × 0.382) R2 = PP + (Range × 0.618) R3 = PP + (Range × 1.000) S1 = PP − (Range × 0.382) S2 = PP − (Range × 0.618) S3 = PP − (Range × 1.000)
1. Camarilla Calculation: R4 = 1.0910 + (0.0100 × 0.55) = 1.0965 (Breakout Long Above) R3 = 1.0910 + (0.0100 × 0.275) = 1.0938 (Short Reversal Zone) S3 = 1.0910 − (0.0100 × 0.275) = 1.0883 (Long Reversal Zone) S4 = 1.0910 − (0.0100 × 0.55) = 1.0855 (Breakout Short Below) 2. Fibonacci Pivot Calculation (PP = 1.0903): R1 = 1.0903 + (0.0100 × 0.382) = 1.0941 R2 = 1.0903 + (0.0100 × 0.618) = 1.0965 S1 = 1.0903 − (0.0100 × 0.382) = 1.0865 S2 = 1.0903 − (0.0100 × 0.618) = 1.0841
Choosing Between Methods
Use Standard Floor Pivots for macro multi-day swing trading; use Fibonacci Pivots when trading strong trend pullbacks; and use Camarilla Pivots for tight intraday scalp entries and breakout setups.