In ICT trading, lows are more than just price levels — they represent liquidity zones where stop-losses often sit.
Smart Money (banks and institutions) knows this, and they often manipulate price to reach these levels before reversing the market.
Let’s explore each type of low in detail.
1. STL – Short-Term Low in ICT
1. Definition:
A Short-Term Low (STL) is a low formed within the recent trading session or day, usually visible on lower timeframes like the 1-minute to 15-minute charts.
2. Why it matters:
It often holds the stop-losses of scalpers and intraday traders. These areas become targets for short-term liquidity grabs.
3. Example:
Imagine on the 5-minute chart, EUR/USD drops to 1.0760 during the London session, bounces back, and creates a new swing low.
Many traders go long and place stop-losses just below 1.0760.
That 1.0760 level is now a Short-Term Low (STL) and likely to be taken out if Smart Money wants to clear liquidity.
2. ITL – Intermediate-Term Low in ICT
1. Definition:
An Intermediate-Term Low (ITL) is a swing low that has held for 1 to 3 days, seen on the 1-hour to 4-hour charts.
2. Why it matters:
It holds the stop-losses of swing traders or short-term position traders.
Price often targets these areas before making a new move.
3. Example:
Let’s say GBP/USD created a swing low at 1.2650 on Tuesday, and price has stayed above it till Thursday.
Traders see it as support and buy above it, with stops just below.
That makes 1.2650 an ITL, and it becomes a key liquidity target if Smart Money wants to hunt stops before pushing the price higher.
3. LTL – Long-Term Low in ICT
1. Definition:
A Long-Term Low (LTL) is a major swing low that forms over weeks or months, typically seen on the daily, weekly, or monthly charts.
2. Why it matters:
It represents deep liquidity, often the final target before major market reversals.
These lows carry the stop-losses of long-term traders and investors.
3. Example:
Suppose USD/JPY has a major low at 145.00 that formed two months ago.
Price has bounced several times but never gone below it.
This 145.00 level is a Long-Term Low (LTL), and it becomes a strong magnet for price.
Once Smart Money raids this low, the market could strongly reverse.
3. Why STL, ITL & LTL Are Important in ICT
Smart Money often moves price through a sequence:
STL → ITL → LTL
Each level provides a new pool of liquidity.
Once one is cleared, the next becomes the target.
Knowing the type of low you’re dealing with helps you:
- Avoid entering trades right before a stop hunt
- Understand where the market might reverse
- Time your entries after liquidity grabs
4. Conclusion
In ICT trading, identifying STL, ITL, and LTL helps you think like institutions instead of retail traders.
- STL = Intraday lows, targets for fast stop hunts
- ITL = Multi-session lows, good for swing setups
- LTL = Major lows, key turning points in the market
Mastering this will give you clarity, patience, and precision in your trades.
Would you like a visual chart showing all three types of lows?
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