Bookmap Imbalance Columns: Reading Real Buy and Sell Pressure
Imbalance columns in Bookmap compare the bid-side and ask-side liquidity at each price level. They tell you which side has more weight in the book and whether buyers or sellers are dominating. If you want to know who actually controls the market, this is where to look.
What the Imbalance Column Shows
The imbalance column measures the difference between the bid size and ask size at every price. It’s simple:
- Bid >> Ask = buy-side heavy
- Ask >> Bid = sell-side heavy
This gives you a quick snapshot of whether the book tilts bullish or bearish at specific levels.
Why Imbalance Matters
Imbalance tells you which side has more liquidity backing it. Heavy liquidity doesn’t guarantee price movement, but it shows intent. Pair it with executed volume and you get a full picture.
For executed volume context, see Bookmap Volume Bubbles.
Key Imbalance Patterns
1. Stacked Imbalance
When multiple price levels show heavy size on the same side:
- stacked bids → potential support
- stacked asks → potential resistance
This often precedes a stall or a bounce.
2. Imbalance Flips
When heavy bids suddenly become heavy asks (or vice versa):
- market makers reposition
- player intent changes sharply
- price often reverses or accelerates
3. One-Sided Imbalance During Trends
When the book becomes heavily one-sided during a trend:
- trend continuation is likely
- liquidity is thinner on the opposite side
- pullbacks get shallow
Imbalance + Heatmap = Strong Confirmation
Imbalance alone is useful, but combined with the heatmap it becomes obvious what’s going on. If you haven’t read it yet, check Bookmap Heatmap Guide.
When imbalance lines up with visible liquidity and executed volume, that’s where the highest-probability setups form.
Common Misreads
- Assuming large imbalances will always hold
- Ignoring liquidity that appears or disappears right before price reaches it
- Focusing on shallow size changes instead of large block shifts
Imbalance isn’t a prediction tool. It’s a pressure map.
Final Thoughts
Bookmap’s imbalance column gives you a real-time read on buy and sell pressure by comparing liquidity on both sides of the book. Combined with the heatmap and volume bubbles, it shows you exactly who is in control and whether price is likely to stall, reverse, or push through.