---
url: /guide/chaining.md
description: >-
  Combine indicators to build indicators of indicators — feed one indicator's
  results into another across any indicator style.
package: FacioQuo.Stock.Indicators
docs_version: v3
canonical: https://dotnet.stockindicators.dev/guide/chaining
generated: 2026-09-30T04:41:06.055Z
commit: ae1f432eaa0b03ae9f39e032c69434b557efa4a2
---

# Chaining indicators

**Chaining** lets you calculate an *indicator of indicators* — for example an SMA of an [ADX](/indicators/adx.md), or an [RSI of OBV](https://medium.com/@robswc/this-is-what-happens-when-you-combine-the-obv-and-rsi-indicators-6616d991773d). Instead of feeding raw bars into a single indicator, you feed the **results** of one indicator into the next.

```csharp
// RSI of On-Balance Volume
IReadOnlyList<RsiResult> results = bars
    .ToObv()
    .ToRsi(14);
```

You can also start a chain from a chosen price field with [`Use(CandlePart)`](/utilities/bars.md#use-alternate-price):

```csharp
// EMA of the HL2 price (average of high and low)
IReadOnlyList<EmaResult> results = bars
    .Use(CandlePart.HL2)
    .ToEma(20);
```

## How it works

Chaining works through the `IReusable` interface. Any result that implements `IReusable` exposes a single representative `Value`, which the next indicator consumes as its input series:

* **Chainable inputs** — most indicators accept a reusable series, so they can take either raw `bars` or another indicator's results.
* **Chainable outputs** — a result type is chainable only when it implements `IReusable` (it exposes a `Value`). Indicators that produce multiple primary outputs (e.g. bands or channels) may not be chainable as a source.

See [Creating custom indicators](/guide/customization.md) to make your own indicators chainable.

## Chaining in each style

Chaining is available in all three [indicator styles](/guide/styles.md); the concept is the same, but the mechanics differ:

* **[Batch (Series)](/guide/styles/batch.md#chaining-indicators)** — chain extension methods fluently (`bars.ToObv().ToRsi(14)`). The standard, default approach.
* **[Buffer lists](/guide/styles/buffer.md#chaining-indicators)** — feed one buffer list's results into another as values arrive. Unlike the other styles, this chaining is orchestrated by you, not the library: you decide when to pass each result onward.
* **[Stream hubs](/guide/styles/stream.md#chaining-indicators)** — subscribe one hub to another so chained indicators update automatically as new bars stream in.

## See also

* [Indicator styles](/guide/styles.md) — compare batch, buffer, and stream
* [Use alternate price](/utilities/bars.md#use-alternate-price) — start a chain from a chosen price field
* [Creating custom indicators](/guide/customization.md) — make your own indicators chainable