ICT Concepts in MQL5

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Inner Circle Trader (ICT) concepts are one of the most popular price-action tools in modern forex trading. Traders use them to identify institutional order flow, liquidity areas, and high-probability entry zones. 

In this guide, we will explain the four core ICT concepts:

• ICT Order Blocks
• ICT Breaker Blocks
• ICT Fair Value Gaps (FVG)
• ICT Inverse Fair Value Gaps (IFVG)
  

You’ll learn what they are, how they work, and how they connect. Each section links to a full in-depth guide where we show how to create the MT5 Expert Advisor using Profectus.

What Are ICT Order Blocks?

Order Blocks (OB) are zones where large market participants executed positions. The beauty of Order Blocks is that they can be areas where large portions of limit orders rest and where the price is likely to return to and reverse from. 

Order blocks are drawn from the last opposing candle before an impulsive move in the direction of the trend.
By turning the concept into an Expert Advisor through Profectus, we remove all the discretion and are sure of a consistent execution of the Order Block theory. 

👉 Read the complete guide here:

ICT Order Blocks Automation Guide

What Are ICT Breaker Blocks?

Breaker Blocks (BB) occur when a previously valid Order Block fails. This concept helps traders understand shifts in market structure.

Instead of holding as support or resistance, the price breaks through the Order Block and flips the support or resistance for a reversal zone. 

In simple terms:

• A failed bullish Order Block can become resistance
• A failed bearish Order Block can become support

Breaker Blocks are not drawn again, but are simply invalidated Order Blocks that remain in place. The original support level turns into resistance and vice versa, depending on the type of order block. 

Turning the Breaker block theory into an MT5 EA is straightforward. The best approach is to add a simple invalidation element to your existing Order Block trading bot. 

👉 Read the complete guide here:

ICT Breaker Blocks Automation Guide

What are ICT Fair Value Gaps?

Fair Value Gaps (FVG) are price imbalances that occur when the market moves aggressively in one direction, leaving a gap between candles.

This imbalance suggests that the price may return to “rebalance” before continuing.

A Fair Value Gap is a 3-candle pattern that forms when:

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• Candle 1 low does not overlap with Candle 3 high (bullish scenario)
• Candle 1 high does not overlap with candle 3 low (bearish scenario)

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The ICT FVG is a great concept to define the trend direction, but also to use as an entry criterion if they form on lower timeframes in combination with other confluences. 

Because of the fixed 3-candle formation rules, it’s very simple to build an automated trading system around the Fair Value Gap concept in Profectus. 

👉 Read the complete guide here:

ICT Fair Value Gap Automation Guide

What are ICT Inverse Fair Value Gaps?

Inverse Fair Value Gaps (IFVG) occur when a previously respected Fair Value Gap fails and becomes a reversal signal in the opposite direction. They are a great tool to use specifically for trend-reversal strategies that aim to potentially benefit from a very early change in trend. 

The IFVG represents a shift in order flow.

For example:

• A bullish FVG fails, and the price breaks below it
• That zone later acts as resistance

You already know how to build the FVG in Profectus if you’ve read the FVG Automation Guide. To create an IFVG, you take the FVG module and add the simple rule that invalidation of the FVG means the creation of an IFVG and flipping the original support/resistance levels.

👉 Read the complete guide here:

ICT Inverse Fair Value Gap Automation Guide

FAQ About ICT Concepts

What is the most important ICT concept?

I don’t think there is one most important ICT concept. Order Blocks are foundational, but Fair Value Gaps are often easier to identify and automate because they are less ambiguous. The key to incorporating ICT concepts into your expert advisors is to combine them across multiple timeframes and add your own confluences for the best results. 

Are ICT concepts suitable for forex markets?

Yes. They originated from index futures markets but have proven to work just as well across cfd forex markets and commodities markets.

Will the ICT concepts help me to become a profitable trader?

The key to becoming a profitable trader is to find a proven edge and consistently apply it over a long period of time. The ICT concepts are suitable for consistent application, especially when incorporated in an expert advisor. Use the concepts in your own strategies to see if they can help you to find the profitable edge.

Can ICT strategies be automated in MetaTrader 5?

Absolutely! If you go to any of the full ICT concept automation guides, you will find that you can automate all these concepts in a matter of minutes using Profectus. 
This is the full Fair Value Gap (FVG) Trading & Automation guide for example.

Are ICT concepts beginner-friendly?

Absolutely! We have made it as easy as possible to understand and incorporate the ICT concepts in your trading bot strategies. The beauty of algorithmic trading using Profectus is that even the most advanced concepts can be incorporated very easily.

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