An ICT Breakaway Gap is a fair value gap (FVG) that remains unmitigated following a strong price movement.
This gap is unique because it forms when the price separates from a significant high or low and continues decisively without returning to fill the gap.
The ICT Breakaway Gap is one of the most powerful yet lesser-known concepts in the ICT trading style.
This advanced strategy goes beyond traditional fair value gap (FVG) trading and systematically identifies low-risk trading setups.

Key Components of Breakaway Gaps
Three critical components contribute to the formation of a breakaway gap:
Breaker Block
Acts as the primary barrier preventing price reversal. A breaker block forms when the price breaks a significant high and moves upward.
On its return, the first obstacle it encounters is the breaker block, which stops further downward movement.
Inverse Fair Value Gap
Provides secondary confirmation of the price movement and gap formation. When the price moves upward and breaks a bearish fair value gap, it turns into a bullish inverse fair value gap.
Balanced Price Range (BPR)
Creates an overlapping area that helps maintain price direction. The overlap between a bearish and bullish FVG creates the BPR, which prevents further downward movement and leaves the BISI as a breakaway gap.
What is the difference between Breakaway Gaps & Regular Fair Value Gaps?
What distinguishes Breakaway Gaps from regular FVGs is their behavior post-formation. While FVGs typically get filled, Breakaway Gaps indicate exceptional movement that prevents immediate price return.
The significance of a Breakaway Gap lies in its ability to confirm price direction and momentum strength. When identified with high volume, it will signal stronger conviction in the breakout's direction.
Types of ICT Breakaway Gaps
ICT Breakaway Gaps are divided into two main types:
Bullish Breakaway Gap
A Bullish Breakaway Gap, or BISI, forms near a significant high after breaking it with a strong upward move.

Bearish Breakaway Gap
A Bearish Breakaway Gap, or SIBI, forms near a significant low after breaking it with a strong downward move, and the price is not expected to return.

Market Structure Analysis with Breakaway Gaps
Understanding market structure is crucial for successful ICT Breakaway Gap trading and can be analyzed systematically using various parameters:
Premium/Discount Arrays (PD Arrays)
To identify premium and discount zones:
- Define a price range between high and low points
- Use Fibonacci tools to divide the range into two distinct zones: premium (above 50%) and discount (below 50%)
- To effectively plan trades, search for key elements like Order Blocks, Fair Value Gaps, and Breaker Blocks in these zones
Order Flow Dynamics
When analyzing Order Flow, focus on zones where price exhibits specific behaviors. A trading range is defined when both buy-side and sell-side liquidity are taken. Key factors include:
- Formation of Order Blocks
- Liquidity pools
- Price equilibrium points
- Smart money footprints
Price Movement Patterns
Specific price movement patterns reveal the quality of a Breakaway Gap. Patterns with above-average volume are generally more effective.
Consider that the price tends to maintain direction after a valid Breakaway Gap, confirming the underlying trend's strength.
This is particularly important when the price moves away from significant support or resistance levels.
Multi-Time Frame Analysis in ICT Breakaway Gaps
The role of multi-timeframe analysis is vital in the trading journey with ICT Breakaway Gaps.
This approach significantly enhances decision-making by providing a comprehensive market view.
Higher Time Frames
Gaps in higher time frames, such as daily or weekly charts, are more reliable than those in lower time frames.
This approach helps maintain an unbiased perspective and avoids common trading errors.
Lower Time Frame Confirmation
After establishing a higher time frame bias (like Daily Bias), use lower time frames for precise entry timing. Structure your analysis with lower time frame confirmation as follows:
- Identify potential Breakaway Gaps in higher time frames
- Look for relevant fair value gaps in lower time frames
- Confirm entry signals with volume analysis
- Monitor price movement patterns for continuation
Time Frame Correlation Techniques
Successful multi-timeframe trading requires consistency in time frame selection. Stick to a combination for at least 30-50 trades before making changes.
This approach allows you to improve risk-to-reward ratios by using higher time frames for directional bias while executing trades in lower time frames.
Correlation also helps avoid overnight risks and news events while maximizing profit potential.
Please pay attention to volume patterns during time frame correlation, as the high trading volume accompanying Breakaway Gaps confirms their validity and strength.
Implementation and Risk Management
Successful trading with ICT Breakaway Gaps requires a disciplined implementation and risk management approach.
Entry and Exit Strategies
The most effective entries occur when Breakaway Gaps are clearly confirmed through volume and price movement.
Exit strategies should follow a structured approach based on multiple contracts:
- First target at initial support/resistance levels;
- Second target at major market structure points;
- Final portion for broader moves.
Capital Management Guidelines
Adhering to the one-percent rule is crucial for protecting trading capital. This includes:
- Never risk more than 1-2% of the total trading account on a single trade
- Calculating position size based on stop-loss distance
- Adjusting leverage according to market volatility
Stop-Loss Placement
Stop-loss strategies vary based on trade context and market conditions. For Breakaway Gap trades, stops are placed:
- Above/below the subsequent execution of the gap
- At the highest/lowest point of the manipulation phase for trend trades
- Using a 5-10 point range for London session trades.
A minimum ratio of 1:2 is ideal for optimal risk-to-reward ratios, allowing profitability even with a low win rate.
Conclusion
ICT Breakaway Gaps are essentially Fair Value Gaps that remain unmitigated after strong price movements.
Mastering ICT Breakaway Gaps requires deep understanding and disciplined execution.