The Formula

RSI = 100 - 100 / (1 + RS)

RS = AG / AL

AG = Average Gain over RSI Period

Gain = Price - Price.x (when Price > Price.x)

AL = Average Loss over RSI Period

Loss = Price.x - Price (when Price < Price.x)

x = Momentum Period

An optional smoothing is applied to the resulting RSI values.  If no smoothing is desired, specify a smoothing period of 1.

If you choose the "Morris Modified" option in the preferences, the average loss and average gain will only be computed over the Period specified (Simple Smoothing), otherwise ("Morris Modified" unchecked), the averages are cumulative (Exponential Smoothing).  The resulting RSI can be optionally smoothed.  The momentum period used to determine Gains and Losses defaults to 1, but can be adjusted to periods greater than 1.  Momentum is discussed in more detail in the description below.

The Description

The RSI oscillates in a range between 0 and 100 representing a comparison of the magnitude of a stock's recent gains to the magnitude of its recent losses.

In mathematical terms, 

RSI = 100 - 100/(1+RS) 

where RS is calculated as the ratio of two exponentially smoothed moving averages, AG/AL. AG is the average price gain over some period and AL is the average price drop over some the same period.

The name "Relative Strength Index" may be somewhat misleading, as it does not compare the relative strength of two securities such as the Relative Strength (RS) indicator does, but rather the internal strength of a single security.

A popular method of analyzing the RSI is to look for a divergence.  If the instrument is making a new high, but the RSI is failing to exceed its previous high, this "divergence" is an indication of an coming reversal. When the RSI then turns down and falls below its most recent trough, it is said to have completed a "failure swing" and therefore confirmed the coming reversal.

Overbought / Oversold
The RSI indicator ranges in value from 0 to 100, with numbers above 70 indicating overbought conditions and under 30 indicating oversold.  If the RSI rises above 30, it is considered bullish, while if the RSI falls below 70, it is considered bearish.  These situations can be represented in the following two scans:

Bullish (Oversold)
RSI > 30 AND RSI.1 <= 30

Bearish (Overbought)
RSI < 70 AND RSI.1 >= 70

Divergence
Another popular method of analyzing the RSI is to look for a divergence.  If the instrument is making a new high, but the RSI is failing to exceed its previous high, this "divergence" is an indication of an coming reversal. When the RSI then turns down and falls below its most recent trough, it is said to have completed a "failure swing" and therefore confirmed the coming reversal.

Crossing the Center Line (50)
Some trades view a move above 50 as a bullish confirmation, and a move below 50 as a bearish confirmation.  A move above 50 represents average gains overtaking average losses, while a move below 50 signifies that average losses have taken the lead.  These situations can be represented with the following scans:

Bullish Center Line Cross
RSI > 50 AND RSI.1 <= 50

Bearish Center Line Cross
RSI < 50 AND RSI.1 >= 50

Momentum
If a momentum period greater than 1 is specified, this period becomes the look back period for comparing closes to determine gains and loses. For example, if the momentum period is 9, then the current close is compared to the close 9 periods ago. If the current close is higher, the close 9 periods ago is subtracted from the current close to be used in computing the average price gain (AG). The RSI period specifies how many bars will be used in computing the average. The resulting RSI can then be smoothed. An RSI using a momentum period greater than 1 is sometimes referred to as the RMI (Relative Momentum Index). A momentum period of 1 would result in a classic RSI.

Morris Modified
The RSI technical indicator has been enhanced to provide the option of calculating the RSI according to the Morris Modified RSI algorithm as described in the 1998 bonus issue of Stocks and Commodities Magazine (p. 56). The Morris calculation differs slightly from the classic Welles Wilder calculation and typically generates more buy/sell signals as the RSI crosses the 70 and 30 threshold values.  The Morris calculation uses only the most recent trading days instead of averaging in past data.  In the RSI equation, the Average Gain (AG) and Average Loss (AL) variables are computed using only the last X periods, where X is the RSI Period specified.  Otherwise, in a non-Morris Modified RSI, these averages are cumulative.

The Presentation - more on Charts

The Relative Strength Index can be seen in the lower pane, drawn in red.  The RSI line is based on the preferences seen below.  Horizontal lines are added to the chart to represent buy and sell signals where the RSI crosses above 30 (bullish) and below 70 (bearish).

The Preferences

• RSI Period - The period used to compute the average price gains and losses in equation above.

• Smoothing Period - Period used to smooth the resulting RSI values.

• Smoothing Type - Type of smoothing used to smooth the resulting RSI values.

• Price - Price used as input to the calculation of RSI.

• Momentum Period - See description above.

• Ref. Line 1 & 2 - Horizontal reference lines, recommended at 30 and 70.

• Morris Modified RSI - Use the Morris modified calculation, described further below.

• Line Color - RSI line color as seen in the chart.

RTL Token - more on RTL

The Relative Strength Index can be accessed in RTL language using the the token RSI.  Several examples of scan syntax can be found in the description above.