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Gap Fill

A gap fill is a retracement of the price difference between the previous regular-session close and the new regular-session open. A partial fill covers some of that difference; a full fill reaches the previous close.

Gap followed by candles moving back into the open gap area.

At A Glance

Name: Gap Fill
Category: Session And Gap Behavior
Type: Session Reversion
Number of candles: Session sequence
Typical context: After a gap when price moves back toward the prior close.

How To Identify It

Gap space: Price moves back into the space between the current open and prior close.
Reference area: The prior close is the main destination area to watch.
Relationship: The current session starts away from the prior close, then moves back into that space.

Find the prior close and the current session open. A gap fill begins when price moves back through that gap area instead of holding the opening side.

Context

Gap fill behavior depends on the prior close, the opening price, and how much of the gap area price retraces.

Gap fill sequence with price returning toward the prior range.

Gap fills often matter when the opening move cannot hold, when price opens into resistance or support, or when premarket levels fail. Not every gap fills, so the reference levels matter.

What It Shows

A gap fill shows that the market is taking back the opening repricing. Traders who expected the gap to hold may be forced to adjust as price moves back toward the prior close.

What To Watch Next

Watch whether price moves cleanly through the gap or stalls at the prior close, previous day high or low, or premarket levels. Those references can slow or reverse the fill.

The read weakens if price holds the opening side and refuses to move into the gap. That means the gap is still being defended.

Common Confusion

Suppose the previous close is $4.00 and the next regular session opens at $5.00. A decline to $4.50 fills half of the $1.00 opening gap. Reaching $4.00 fills it completely. For a gap down, the direction reverses: price rises toward the previous close.

The opening gap is a difference between two regular-session prices. It does not mean no shares traded at prices between them during extended hours. A partial fill is not a promise that price will reach the previous close.

Key Takeaway

A gap fill shows price moving back into the gap area. The prior close and nearby session levels are the main references.