The POC, VAH, and VAL are the three most important levels in Volume Profile analysis. Mastering them is fundamental to using Volume Profile effectively.
Point of Control (POC)
The POC is the price level with the highest volume in the profile. It represents fair value — where buyers and sellers agreed the most.
- Magnetic support/resistance — price tends to return to the POC
- Bias filter — trading above POC is bullish, below is bearish
- Rejection point — price often bounces off the POC in established trends
The chart shows POC, VAH, and VAL on a price chart. The green highlight is the Value Area (70% of volume).
Value Area High (VAH)
The VAH is the upper boundary of the Value Area — the highest price where 70% of volume was traded.
- Resistance in downtrends — price struggles to break above VAH
- Support once broken — a previous VAH can flip to support
- Target for extensions — price often reaches for VAH/VAL extremes
Value Area Low (VAL)
The VAL is the lower boundary of the Value Area.
- Support in uptrends — price holds above VAL
- Resistance once broken — a previous VAL can flip to resistance
- Breakdown confirmation — closing below VAL suggests bearish intent
Trading These Levels
- Long above POC, short below POC — use POC as your bias filter
- VAH breakout → bullish continuation
- VAL breakdown → bearish continuation
- Price returning to POC from a distance → low-risk entry opportunity