What is the difference between impulse and correction in Elliott Wave?

An impulse is a 5-wave structure (1-2-3-4-5) that moves in the direction of the larger trend. A correction is a 3-wave structure (A-B-C) that moves against the larger trend. Every Elliott Wave count is a sequence of impulses and corrections at varying degrees.

Impulses and corrections are the two fundamental wave types in Elliott Wave Theory. An impulse contains 5 sub-waves: three in the trend direction (Waves 1, 3, 5) and two corrective (Waves 2, 4). Impulses move price farther and faster than corrections. They follow strict rules: Wave 2 cannot retrace 100% of Wave 1, Wave 3 cannot be the shortest, Wave 4 cannot overlap Wave 1. A correction contains 3 sub-waves: Waves A and C move against the prior trend, Wave B counter-rallies. Corrections come in several forms — zigzags (sharp), flats (sideways), triangles (contracting/expanding), and complex combinations (W-X-Y, W-X-Y-X-Z). The 5-3 cycle of one impulse plus one correction is the core unit of Elliott Wave; the same pattern repeats at every degree of the fractal hierarchy.

• → Elliott Wave Theory Guide — the 5-3 pattern, rules, Fibonacci, wave degrees
• → How to Count Elliott Waves — 6-step process used on 108 instruments
• → Elliott Wave Fibonacci Guide — the 7 core ratios and how they're applied
• → Rules and Guidelines — the 3 absolute rules + 7 guidelines

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Weekly wave counts on 108 US instruments

Every Monday Artavest publishes fresh wave counts with primary count, alternate count, and explicit invalidation levels.