i What this calculator does
This calculator works out the Relative Strength Index (RSI) using the standard Wilder formula, based on your average gain and average loss over the period, helping identify overbought or oversold conditions.
Enter your average gain and average loss over your chosen period, and the calculator returns the RSI value and its interpretation, see our guide on how traders actually use RSI for more context.
This calculator is for educational purposes only. Enter average loss as a positive number.
How to use the RSI Calculator
No setup is required. Every input holds a usable value, so the first change you make is the one you learn from.
- 1. Average Gain (over period)
- 2. Average Loss (over period, positive number)
The result panel reports:
- RSI Value On a 0-100 scale
- RS Ratio Avg Gain divided by Avg Loss
- Average Gain Over the period
Alongside the headline figures, the calculator reports rsi value, zone, rs ratio, average gain. Those are the numbers that usually explain why the headline result came out where it did.
The steps that produced the number are listed below it, which is what makes the output verifiable.
One caution worth stating. A calculator answers exactly the question you pose to it, and the quality of the answer is set entirely by the inputs. Figures taken from a single period, an optimistic forecast, or a sample too small to be meaningful will produce a precise number that is not a reliable one. Where the result will inform a real decision, run it at several plausible inputs and treat the spread as the answer rather than any single figure.
The same applies to comparisons. A figure is informative against a benchmark, a sector average or the same measure over the company's own history, and much less so on its own. That context is what turns a number into a judgement.
See also: Beta Calculator and Bollinger Bands Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What's the standard RSI period used by most traders?
14 periods is the widely used conventional default, established when Wilder originally developed the indicator, some traders adjust this shorter for more sensitivity or longer for smoother, less frequent signals, depending on their specific timeframe and style.
What do the 70 and 30 levels actually mean?
RSI above 70 is generally considered overbought, suggesting the recent upward momentum may be overextended, RSI below 30 is generally considered oversold, suggesting downward momentum may be overextended, these are conventional thresholds, not fixed rules that guarantee a reversal.
Can RSI stay overbought or oversold for extended periods?
Yes, particularly during strong trending markets, RSI can remain above 70 or below 30 for extended stretches without an immediate reversal, this is precisely why many traders combine RSI with trend context rather than trading the overbought/oversold levels in isolation.
How is RSI different from the MACD indicator?
RSI is bounded between 0-100 and focuses specifically on the ratio of average gains to average losses, MACD tracks the relationship between two moving averages and isn't bounded to a fixed range, many traders use both together as a cross-check.
Does this calculator use the same formula as MetaTrader or TradingView?
Yes, this calculator uses the standard Wilder RSI formula based on average gains and losses over your specified period, the same underlying calculation used across virtually all major trading platforms.
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