Updated: August 25, 2025 — This guide shows how to turn on Renko charts in Thinkorswim, choose brick sizes that fit your market, and fix common issues. We’ll also clarify UniRenko (not native to ToS) and what you can use instead.
Renko charts print a new brick only after price moves by a set amount. This filters minor noise and makes structure easier to trade. If you’re new to Renko, start with our Buy & Sell Signals guide and the ATR brick-size walkthrough.
Quickstart: Enable Renko in Thinkorswim
- Open Charts in Thinkorswim.
- Click Style → Chart type → choose Renko.
- Open Settings (gear icon) → Price Axis / Appearance → confirm your brick size is set as desired.
- Apply and save as a chart style so you can reuse it.
Tip: If you don’t see Renko immediately, make sure you’re on a chart aggregation that supports it (e.g., time-based or tick-based intervals) and not on an incompatible specialty study layout.
Recommended Renko Settings (brick size, confirm brick)
Your brick size should reflect current volatility. Many traders begin with an ATR-based brick size and then fine-tune. Use the table below as a starting point (not a recommendation):
| Instrument | Timeframe | Starting Point | How to Adjust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large-cap stocks (e.g., AAPL) | Daily | ATR(14) × 0.8–1.2 | Increase for fewer, cleaner swings; decrease for more signals |
| Index futures / ETFs | Hourly / Daily | ATR(14) × 0.6–1.0 | Match your hold time; avoid bricks so small that whipsaws dominate |
| Crypto majors | 4h / Daily | ATR(14) × 0.8–1.5 | Crypto volatility varies; recheck weekly |
| FX majors | H1 / H4 | ~10–25 pips | Pair-dependent; align brick size with session volatility |
Confirm-brick logic: After a boundary break (trendline, flag, neckline), wait for the first confirm brick closing beyond that level before entering. This reduces premature entries on marginal breaks.
Pro tip: Pair Renko with a simple trend filter such as a Supertrend or a fast/slow moving average cross. Trade in the trend direction and let the Renko structure handle entries.
Need a brick size fast? Use the free Google Sheets Renko calculator.
What about UniRenko in Thinkorswim?
UniRenko isn’t a native Thinkorswim bar type. If you search for “UniRenko bars for Thinkorswim,” you won’t find an official option. You can:
- Use standard Renko in ToS with ATR-based brick size.
- If you require UniRenko specifically, consider a platform that supports it natively. Keep your analysis consistent across platforms.
Thinkorswim users often combine UniRenko settings with classic Renko chart indicators like MACD or Supertrend.
Troubleshooting & Gotchas
- “I changed brick size but nothing happened.” Re-apply chart type after editing; also check your aggregation (some cached layouts need a refresh).
- “My chart looks empty.” Zoom out or switch timeframe; small brick sizes on quiet instruments may not print often.
- “I don’t see volume.” Renko removes time; add a separate volume pane if needed, but keep decisions price-led.
- “UniRenko setting?” Not available natively in ToS—use standard Renko or another platform that supports UniRenko.
FAQs
Does Thinkorswim have UniRenko?
What brick size should I use?
How do I confirm entries on Renko?
Further Reading
- Renko Buy & Sell Signals: Checklist
- ATR Brick Size: Step-by-Step
- Best Renko Indicators
- Backtesting Renko Strategies
Let’s Connect
- Subscribe to the Renko Trading Channel for weekly updates.
Education only, not financial advice. Test any approach on your own instruments, brick sizes, and timeframes.