chart patternBearish

Bear Flag pattern

A Bear Flag is a bearish continuation pattern: a sharp decline (the flagpole) followed by a small, upward-sloping consolidation (the flag). It reflects a brief pause before the downtrend resumes.

Historical performance

Bear Flag historical win-rate

Follow-through rate — how often price moved in the predicted direction within each window — across 655 historical occurrences on 20+ exchanges. Computed June 2026.

Bear Flag: historical follow-through win-rate by horizon (n = 655).
HorizonHistorical win-rate
1 hour36%
4 hours38%
24 hours42%
7 days54%
Sample size655 occurrences

This is a historical follow-through rate, not a trade simulation, and does not guarantee future results. See methodology →

How the bear flag pattern forms

After a strong down-move, price drifts higher or sideways in a tight channel on declining volume, then breaks down below the flag to continue lower.

How traders use the bear flag pattern

Traders short the breakdown below the flag, stop above the flag’s high, and often project the flagpole height down from the breakdown for a target.

CryptoPatterns’ scanner detects the bear flag live across 20+ exchanges and every timeframe, tagging each occurrence with the historical win-rate above so you can weigh it in context. See how the scanner works →

FAQ

Bear Flag — common questions

Is a bear flag bearish?

Yes — it is a continuation pattern that usually resolves downward, in the direction of the prior decline. It is confirmed on a breakdown below the flag.

What is the difference between a bull flag and a bear flag?

A bull flag follows a rally and breaks up; a bear flag follows a decline and breaks down. Both are brief consolidations against the prevailing trend.

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