How hotkeys work in MetaTrader
A hotkey (keyboard shortcut) is a key combination that runs a menu command without the mouse. MT4 and MT5 share most of them. MetaQuotes updates the platforms often, so always check a shortcut against your current build. The key for each command is printed next to its name in the menus, for example View, Charts and Tools.
Function keys on the top row of the keyboard are also used, for example to open a new order, chart properties or the MetaEditor. Their assignment can differ between MT4 and MT5, so read them from the menu rather than from memory.
- Symbol: the instrument you trade.
- Order type: a market order fills now; a pending order waits for your price.
- Volume in lots: sets the position size and how much each pip is worth.
- Stop-loss and take-profit: prices at which the position closes by itself; empty or 0 means none.
- Comment: an optional note for your records.
- Bid and ask: you sell at the bid and buy at the ask; the gap between them is the spread.
- Sell and Buy buttons: send the order at once.
Ready to try it on a real or demo account?
Partner link · trading carries a high risk of loss
Printable table: windows and panels
| Shortcut | MT4 | MT5 |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+M | Market Watch | Market Watch |
| Ctrl+N | Navigator | Navigator |
| Ctrl+T | Terminal | Toolbox |
| Ctrl+D | Data Window | Data Window |
| Ctrl+R | Strategy Tester | Strategy Tester |
| Ctrl+U | Symbols | Symbols |
| Ctrl+O | Options | Options |
| Ctrl+E | Expert Advisors on/off | Algo Trading on/off |
Printable table: charts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+G | Show or hide the grid |
| Ctrl+L | Show or hide volumes |
| Ctrl+Y | Show or hide period separators |
| Ctrl+I | List of indicators on the chart |
| Ctrl+B | List of objects on the chart |
| Ctrl+F | Crosshair |
| Plus / Minus | Zoom in / zoom out |
| Home / End | Jump to the start / end of the chart |
| Arrow keys, Page Up / Page Down | Scroll the chart |
| Enter | Quick navigation line (type a symbol or timeframe) |
| Delete | Remove selected objects |
| Backspace | Remove the last object you added |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo the last object deletion |
| Ctrl+W | Close the active chart |
| Ctrl+S | Save chart data to a file |
| Ctrl+P | Print the chart |
In MT4, Alt combined with the number keys switches between bar, candlestick and line charts. In MT5 you can do the same from the Charts menu. To print this page, use your browser's print command. The tables fit on a single sheet.
For more chart settings, see Chart setup and Templates and profiles.
Orders and trading
Opening the order window by key is faster than the toolbar, and one-click trading is faster still. Speed cuts both ways. A wrong key can open or close a position at once.
Leveraged forex and CFD trading can lose money fast, and a mistaken keystroke can add to that loss. Practise hotkeys on a demo account first. For order types, see Open a trade, Pending orders and Stop loss and take profit.
Custom hotkeys
Both platforms let you assign your own hotkey to an item in the Navigator, such as an indicator, script or Expert Advisor. Right-click the item and choose the hotkey option, if your build offers it. This is useful for scripts you run often. See Expert Advisors and Add indicators.
Other devices
The mobile apps and the web terminal do not use these desktop shortcuts in the same way. Some combinations also differ on a Mac. See MetaTrader on Mac, Mobile apps and MT WebTerminal.
Frequent questions
Are MT4 hotkeys the same as MT5 shortcuts?
Mostly. Ctrl+T opens Terminal in MT4 and Toolbox in MT5. Ctrl+E toggles Expert Advisors in MT4 and Algo Trading in MT5.
A shortcut does nothing. Why?
Another program may be using that key, or your build may have changed it. Check the key shown next to the command in the menu. Also see MetaTrader errors.
Can I change the built-in hotkeys?
The standard menu hotkeys are fixed. You can assign your own hotkeys to Navigator items.
Do shortcuts work in the MT5 web or mobile version?
Not in the same way as on desktop. Use the on-screen controls there.
Where can I compare the platforms themselves?
See MT4 vs MT5 and Platforms compared.
