How to Trade FVG Retests Step by Step

Fair value gap (FVG) retests are one of the most common entry methods in Smart Money trading. The concept is simple: a gap forms, price moves away, then returns to fill the gap - and you enter on that return.

But execution matters. Most FVG retest losses come from poor timing and weak filtering, not from the concept being flawed. Here's the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Spot the FVG

A valid FVG has three candles creating a gap:

• Candle 2 moves aggressively
• The gap between Candle 1's extreme and Candle 3's extreme is the FVG

Quick filter: Is the gap at least half the size of the average candle on your timeframe? If it's a tiny sliver, skip it. Small gaps are noise.

Step 2: Check the Context

Before waiting for a retest, verify:

Market structure: Is the FVG aligned with the trend?

• Bullish FVG in bullish structure → Valid for longs
• Bearish FVG in bearish structure → Valid for shorts
• FVG against the structure → Skip or trade with extreme caution

Location: Where did the FVG form?

• At a structural break (BoS/ChoCh) → High significance
• At a key level (PDH/PDL, OB, session level) → High significance
• In the middle of a random move → Lower significance

Timeframe: What timeframe is the FVG on?

• 4H/Daily FVG → High significance, wider zones, stronger reactions
• 1H FVG → Moderate significance
• 5m/15m FVG → Lower significance on its own (needs HTF context)

If the context checks out, mark the gap and wait.

Step 3: Wait for the Retest

Patience is everything. The retest might take hours, days, or never come at all.

What a retest looks like:

• Price pulls back toward the FVG zone
• Candles approaching the gap often get smaller (momentum fading)
• Price enters the gap zone

What NOT to do:

• Don't chase the initial impulse - that's a momentum trade, not an FVG retest
• Don't enter before price reaches the gap because "it's close enough"
• Don't set a limit order and walk away - you need to see the reaction

Step 4: Identify Your Entry Level

Three entry approaches within the FVG zone:

Edge Entry (Conservative)

Enter when price touches the near edge of the FVG - the first boundary price encounters.

• Pro: Doesn't require price to go deep into the gap
• Con: Wider stop (to the far edge), lower R:R

Midpoint Entry (Moderate)

Enter at the 50% level (consequent encroachment) of the FVG.

• Pro: Better price, better R:R
• Con: Price might reverse before reaching the midpoint (missed entry)

Far Edge Entry (Aggressive)

Enter at the far edge of the FVG - the deepest point of the gap.

• Pro: Best possible price, tightest stop, highest R:R
• Con: Price often doesn't reach the far edge - many missed entries

Recommended for most traders: The midpoint entry balances precision with fill rate.

Step 5: Confirm Before Entry

Price reaching the gap zone isn't automatically an entry. Wait for confirmation:

Reversal candle: A pin bar, engulfing, or strong rejection candle within the gap zone. The candle should show price respecting the gap.

Lower timeframe ChoCh: Drop to a lower timeframe and wait for a structural shift within the gap zone. A 5m ChoCh at a 1H FVG is strong confirmation. The CRT with Key Levels indicator can automate this FVG retest detection across timeframes.

Volume surge: Increased volume as price enters the gap suggests active order filling — strong participation at the level.

No confirmation = no entry. The gap provides the area. Confirmation provides the trigger.

Step 6: Place Your Stop-Loss

Standard stop: Beyond the far edge of the FVG with a small buffer (2-5 ticks). If price closes beyond the gap, it's being filled completely and your thesis is wrong.

Aggressive stop: Just beyond the midpoint if you entered at the near edge. Tighter stop, higher risk of stop-out, but better R:R.

Structure-based stop: Beyond the nearest structural level past the FVG. This gives more room but may produce lower R:R.

Calculate R:R before entering: If the stop distance doesn't give you at least 1.5:1 reward-to-risk to your first target, skip the trade.

Step 7: Set Your Targets

Target 1 - The impulse origin: The price level where the impulse that created the FVG started. This is the most reliable first target.

Target 2 - The impulse extreme: The highest point (bullish) or lowest point (bearish) of the impulse move. Price often returns to at least this level.

Target 3 - Next structural level: The next significant swing point, order block, or liquidity target beyond the impulse.

Step 8: Manage the Trade

1. At 1R profit: Move stop to break-even (entry price)
2. At Target 1: Close 50% of position
3. Trailing the rest: Move stop below each new higher low (longs) or above each new lower high (shorts)
4. At Target 2 or 3: Close remaining position

If Price Stalls

If price reaches the FVG zone, you enter, and price goes flat (no meaningful movement for several candles):

• Tighten your stop to just beyond the gap boundary
• If still flat after your patience threshold (e.g., 10-15 candles), close at current price
• Dead trades aren't worth the mental energy or capital lock-up

The Full Checklist

Before entering any FVG retest:

• FVG is aligned with market structure direction
• FVG formed at a significant location (structural break, key level)
• Gap is meaningful size (not a tiny sliver)
• Gap is fresh (first or second test only)
• Price has reached the gap zone (not just approaching)
• Confirmation is present (reversal candle, LTF structure shift, volume)
• R:R is at least 1.5:1 to first target
• Stop-loss is placed beyond gap boundary
• Position size is 1-2% risk of account

All checked? Enter. Any "Required" item missing? Skip.

What to Remember

• FVG retests are the core entry method in gap trading - not the initial impulse
• Always verify context first (structure, location, timeframe) before waiting for a retest
• Three entry levels - edge, midpoint, far edge - each with trade-offs
• Never enter without confirmation - the gap is the area, not the trigger
• Calculate R:R before entry - if it doesn't meet your minimum, pass
• Scale out with partial profits and trail the remainder
• Use the checklist before every trade to maintain discipline