MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is a trading platform used for charting, market analysis, and trade execution. This guide outlines the key menus and settings. Some features may not be available on mobile devices.
MetaTrader 5 main menu overview
File. Login to your trading account and open new charts.
View. Show or hide interface windows and change platform language.
Change language: View → Languages → select language
Show/hide windows: View → select window (shortcut keys available)
Insert. Tools for indicators, objects, Expert Advisors (EAs), and scripts applied to active charts.
Charts
Customize chart type and settings.
Choose Bar Chart, Candlestick, or Line Chart.
Open Properties for full appearance and template controls. Toolbar icons duplicate most settings.
Tools. Critical platform settings:
Push notifications: Options → Notifications → Enable
Expert Advisors: Options → Expert Advisors → Allow algorithmic trading
One-Click Trading: Options → Trade → enable → accept terms
News feed: Options → Server → Enable news
Events: Configure platform alerts
Window. Arrange multiple chart windows.
Help. Access MT5 guides and platform information. About shows build version (useful for troubleshooting).
Market Watch
Displays all available trading instruments. You can add, remove, and reorder symbols. See the MT5 trading guide for detailed instructions.
Navigator
Central panel for accounts, indicators, EAs, and scripts.
Accounts. Previously-used accounts appear here. Double-click to autofill login details and connect.
Indicators
Add: drag indicator to chart → customize → OK
Edit/remove: right-click chart → Indicators List
Expert Advisors (EAs)
Add: drag EA to chart → configure → OK
Edit/remove: right-click chart → Expert List
Scripts. Shows all installed trading scripts.
MT5 chart settings
Display and analyze price movements across instruments. Scroll charts by dragging or mouse wheel. Drag price scale to adjust zoom.
Customize chart
Right-click chart → Properties (or press F8):
Colors tab: chart theme and individual color settings
Common tab: chart scale and type
Show tab: enable/disable elements (grid, bid/ask line, etc.)
Change timeframe
Right-click → Timeframes or use toolbar icons.
Change chart style
Select Bar, Candlestick, or Line chart via toolbar or shortcuts.
Show ask price line
Right-click → Properties → Show tab → enable Ask price line. If the line blends with background, change its color in the Colors tab.
Ask price line can also be added for desktop and mobile platforms.
Note: by default, MT5 Chart will show Bid.
Toolbox
Information and control center for MT5. Contains orders, history, alerts, logs, and messages.
To enable news: Tools → Options → Server → Enable news.
Trade. Shows balance, equity, margin, and open trades. Right-click orders for actions and display options.
History. Displays past trades and transactions.
Filter by time period
Export report: right-click → Report → HTML
Customize visible columns
Mailbox. Receives system and platform messages. Press Enter to open selected message, Esc to close.
Alerts. Create custom price alerts. Right-click → Create → configure alert (email options available).
Experts. Shows activity and messages from running EAs.
Journal
Log of all platform events including logins and errors.
Used for troubleshooting.
Copy log entry: right-click → Copy
How to optimize MT5 performance?
Hardware affects performance. Changes may help depending on your device.
Reduce max bars. Tools → Options → Charts → reduce Max bars in chart by ~50% (or test lower). Fewer bars = lighter processing load.
Disable news. Tools → Options → Server → uncheck Enable news
Optimize RAM usage
Hide unused symbols in Market Watch
Close ugnused charts
Disable EA logging if unnecessary
Restart MT5 regularly
Create an optimized profile. File → Profiles → Save As. Switch profiles as needed for performance or analysis layouts.
Custom indicators. Third-party indicators may slow MT5. Default indicators are optimized.
Consider VPS for faster execution and stable connection.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Where can I find settings in MT5?
Where can I find settings in MT5?
You can access MT5 settings through the Tools menu by opening Options, where all main platform preferences are available.
Can I customize charts in MT5?
Can I customize charts in MT5?
Yes. MT5 allows you to adjust chart colors, timeframes, grid visibility, and apply indicators to better analyze price movements.
How do I change notification and sound settings in MT5?
How do I change notification and sound settings in MT5?
Notification and sound settings can be configured in the Options menu, where you can enable or disable alerts and platform sounds.
Do MT5 settings affect my trading account conditions?
Do MT5 settings affect my trading account conditions?
No. MT5 settings only change how the platform looks and behaves on your device. Trading conditions and account parameters remain unchanged.
Are MT5 settings saved automatically?
Are MT5 settings saved automatically?
Most MT5 settings are saved locally on your device. If you use MT5 on another device, settings may need to be configured again.
Can I reset MT5 settings to default?
Can I reset MT5 settings to default?
Yes. You can manually restore default settings through the Options menu or reinstall the platform if a full reset is needed.