Complete MetaTrader Shortcuts Guide for MT4 & MT5 Trading Platforms
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are powerful trading platforms that offer a wide range of useful features. Various tools could be launched via the on-screen menus, though it can sometimes be quicker and more convenient to access them using MT4 shortcuts or MT5 hotkeys.
MetaTrader shortcuts, or hotkeys, are a key or a set of keys designed to perform certain predefined actions more efficiently. These actions can also be completed using your touchpad or mouse, but using shortcuts may reduce the number of manual navigation steps and streamline the overall experience, allowing more time to focus on chart analysis.
In this article, we will learn several MT4 shortcuts and MT5 hotkeys, and also explain how to create personalised shortcut combinations to suit your preferred trading setup.
The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
MetaTrader Hotkey for Changing Chart Types
In MetaTrader, you can switch between different chart styles as per your preferences. The candlestick chart is the most popular among traders for identifying price patterns. While the bar chart provides a cleaner view of price movements and the line chart helps visualise broader trends.
Accordingly, you may use hotkeys (ALT + 1, 2, or 3), which makes changing chart types quicker than navigating through the “Charts” menu. This shortcut may help a trader with a smoother workflow and also reduce the use of the touchpad or a mouse. This may be useful when analysing multiple instruments.
Let’s look at a quick reference for chart type switching and additional chart timeframe hotkeys:
Typing 'ALT+2' provides you with a candlestick chart, as shown in the image below:
MetaTrader Hotkeys for Moving Through a Chart
Efficient chart navigation may make the analysis smoother. Instead of relying solely on the mouse, using MetaTrader hotkeys for chart scrolling and zoom control offers a quicker and more precise way to explore market data.
Below is a summary of useful navigation hotkeys:
Essential MetaTrader Hotkeys for Daily Operations
Day-to-day tasks in MetaTrader often include opening new trades, adjusting charts, and switching between tools. Getting to know these essential hotkeys may make your routine feel more organised.
Fast Navigation box
Pressing the 'Enter' key opens the 'Fast Navigation' box. This is a small box that appears on the bottom left hand-side of the price chart and has multiple uses.
The Fast Navigation box can be used to:
- Switch between two open charts by typing the relevant symbol name.
- Change the timeframe of the open chart by entering the desired period, for example, M1, H4, or D1.
- Jump to a specific time or date by typing it directly into the box.
Pressing Enter again will close or clear the Fast Navigation box.
Tile your charts
ALT + R sorts your windows so that you can see multiple charts at once. The image below shows an example of several charts that have been tiled:
Using Command Windows
The following MT5 hotkeys provide quick access to the most frequently used command windows.
Using the Crosshair Tool
The crosshair is a straightforward but very handy feature in MetaTrader that allows making precise chart analysis. You can enable it by using the Ctrl + F hotkey. You choose one point on the chart and then another, and the crosshair tool displays the distance between them in bars, pips, and price movement, which may be useful for comparing price movements.
Keyboard Shortcuts from Other Programs
A number of MetaTrader hotkeys function exactly like familiar shortcuts that users work with in everyday software. For example, Ctrl + S saves the current chart setup. If you accidentally deleted an object, you could easily undo it with Ctrl + Z or Alt + Backspace. The standard cut, copy, paste, undo, and save shortcuts make recovering, saving, and managing chart layouts easier without disrupting the user's workflow.
MetaTrader Hotkeys that Use the Function Keys
The function keys (F1 to F12) in MetaTrader provide quick access to essential tools and settings. They’re particularly useful for speeding up analysis, managing expert advisors, and improving trading efficiency.
Setting New Hotkeys in MT4 and MT5
Custom hotkeys let you assign your favourite custom indicators, scripts and expert advisors to key combinations, helping you tailor how you access platform functions.
Setup Process:
- Open the Navigator window (Ctrl + N).
- Locate the indicator, script or EA you want.
- Right-click it and select “Set Hotkey…”.
- Choose a modifier (e.g., Ctrl or Alt) and specify the key combination.
- Use the shortcut to launch the tool when needed.
This is how it looks on the chart:
Depicted: Admiral Markets MetaTrader 5 EURUSD 15-minute candlestick charts showing how to set up customised hotkeys. Chart range: 31st October 2025 to 3rd November 2025. Date captured: 3rd November 2025. Please note this image has been provided for illustration purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
Here are a few things to note:
- If the hotkey doesn’t work, check that the EA or indicator is attached and enabled.
- Avoid conflicts by not reusing combinations already tied to platform defaults.
- Save your chart template after setting hotkeys so your setup persists.
Conclusion
MetaTrader keyboard shortcuts won’t necessarily make you a better trader, but they may help users navigate platform functions more quickly. Once you become familiar with them, keyboard shortcuts can offer a more efficient way to navigate the platform, although the experience may vary by user.
If you’re looking to practise using hotkeys, consider opening a demo trading account with a regulated broker. Demo trading provides access to live market prices with full MetaTrader functionality without risking your own real capital. It’s a useful way to practise trading skills and build confidence; however, it’s important to note that demo accounts cannot fully replicate the emotional and psychological factors involved in live trading.
Other articles you may find interesting:
- 15 Forex trading tools for traders
- How to trade with AI
- Free backtesting software for strategy testing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I recover deleted objects in MetaTrader?
Yes, you can usually undo a deletion by using Ctrl + Z or Alt + Backspace. It restores chart objects that have recently been removed, such as lines or indicators.
How do I take a screenshot of a chart?
Save your chart as an image by pressing Ctrl + S.
What’s the difference between MT4 and MT5 shortcuts?
While most key commands are similar, MT5 shortcuts include additional functions like enhanced chart management, toolbox access, and integrated strategy tester controls.
What are the most important shortcuts for beginners?
Common ones used include F9 for a new order, Ctrl + M for Market Watch, and F8 for the adjustment of chart properties. But it still depends on personal preference and usability.
About Admiral Markets
Admiral Markets is a multi-award-winning, regulated Forex and CFD broker, offering trading on over 8,000 financial instruments via the world's most popular trading platforms: MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
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