Chapter 8 | 3 min read

The Square of 144

Introduction

Gann called the Square of 144 the Great Square. He said it works better than any other square for both time and price, because it contains all the squares from 1 to 144. His Master Mathematical Price, Time and Trend Calculator was based on this square.

Why 144?

  • 144 = 12 x 12, and there are 12 months in a year.
  • 144 contains 9 (the highest digit) many times: 144 = 9 x 16.
  • 144 is also a Fibonacci number, although Gann did not describe it that way.

Divisions of 144

Gann divided 144 into important parts. For time and price, watch:

  • 144 (full square)
  • 108 (3/4)
  • 96 (2/3)
  • 72 (1/2)
  • 48 (1/3)
  • 36 (1/4)
  • 18 (1/8)
  • 9 (1/16)

Gann also divided the chart into sections of 9, so 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108, 117, 126, 135 and 144 are all important.

Time Periods from the Square of 144

Gann said the great cycle of the Square of 144 is 20,736 units (144 x 144). Its divisions give important time periods:

  • 1/256 = 81 days (the square of 9)
  • 1/128 = 162 days
  • 1/64 = 324 days
  • 1/32 = 648 days
  • 1/16 = 1,296 days

In months, he noted that one-eighth of the great cycle is about 7 years and 2.5 months, and one-sixteenth is about 43 months.

Example: Using 144 for Price (Illustrative)

A stock trading between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000 can be studied in units of Rs 144:

  • 5 x 144 = Rs 720
  • 6 x 144 = Rs 864
  • 7 x 144 = Rs 1,008

These can act as support and resistance levels, especially if they match other Gann levels.

Example: Using 144 for Time (Illustrative)

Nifty makes a major bottom. Watch 36, 72, 108 and 144 trading days after it, and also 144 weeks (about 2.75 years) for a larger cycle. If Nifty reaches a Square of Nine resistance level on day 72, the combination of time and price is significant.

The Master Calculator Idea

Gann's calculator was a transparent overlay placed on a chart to see time and price in squares of 9 and 144. Today, you can do the same with a spreadsheet: mark every 9th, 18th, 36th, 72nd and 144th day from important tops and bottoms.

Apply on GoPocket

Use GoPocket charts to find major bottoms and tops. In a spreadsheet, list the dates for 36, 72, 108 and 144 days and weeks from each. When the market reaches these dates near important price levels, watch closely for reversals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 144 better than the Square of Nine?

Both are Gann tools. The Square of 144 is used more for time periods; the Square of Nine is popular for price levels.

Why use sections of 9?

Gann considered 9 the most important digit because it is the highest single number.

Key Takeaways

  • The Square of 144 is Gann's Great Square.
  • Its divisions (36, 72, 108, 144) are key time and price points.
  • Use sections of 9 for detailed analysis.

Disclaimer: Illustrative figures for education.