Complete MetaTrader 5 Shortcut Keys Guide

You’ve probably been there: staring at the MetaTrader 5 interface, cursor hovering, knowing there’s a faster way to do what you need—but you click through menus anyway. Maybe you want to switch chart types, open a new order, or pull up the Navigator without taking your hands off the keyboard. Or maybe you’ve just watched someone flip through MT5 like they’re playing a piano, and you realize you’re missing out.

The good news? MT5 is packed with keyboard shortcuts that turn it into a genuinely efficient tool. The bad news? Not everyone knows them. This guide walks you through the essential MetaTrader 5 shortcut keys—from chart navigation to trade execution—so you can work faster and keep your focus where it matters.

Why MT5 Shortcuts Matter

Keyboard shortcuts in MetaTrader 5 let you execute commands quickly without relying on menus or toolbars . They keep your hands on the keyboard and your eyes on the charts, which is especially valuable when the market moves fast. The platform also lets you assign custom hotkeys to any element in the Navigator window—except account items—giving you even more control over your workflow .

Quick tip: If you assign a custom hotkey to a function that already has a default shortcut (like setting Ctrl+O to open an indicator instead of the Options window), your custom assignment takes priority .

Chart Navigation and View Shortcuts

Most of your time in MT5 is spent on charts, so knowing how to move around them quickly is a game-changer.

Moving Through Time

These shortcuts are invaluable when you're reviewing historical price action or stepping through data to test a strategy . The bar-by-bar navigation with F12 is particularly useful for traders who like to analyze market reactions manually, one candle at a time .

Zoom and Scale

After zooming in or adjusting the price scale, NumPad 5 resets the vertical scale to its default. This comes in handy when you've been looking at a specific price range and want to return to a full view quickly .

Chart Display Types

Toggle between these to switch your chart view instantly . Alt+2 for candlesticks is probably the most frequently used, but line charts can help you see overall trends more clearly.

Chart Elements and Overlays

The crosshair (Ctrl+F) is especially useful—you can measure distances between price points, count candlesticks, or check how many points remain before your stop-loss level .

Window Management Shortcuts

MT5 has multiple windows for different purposes. Memorizing these shortcuts saves you from clicking through the View menu repeatedly.

These shortcuts let you clean up your workspace or pull up exactly what you need without menu hunting. If you frequently switch between multiple open charts, Ctrl+F6 and Ctrl+Shift+F6 are worth committing to memory .

Trade and Order Shortcuts

Trading-related shortcuts are where efficiency really pays off.

F9 is arguably the most important trading shortcut in MT5—it opens the order ticket instantly, letting you set up your trade parameters without reaching for the mouse .

Ctrl+E toggles AutoTrading on and off. This is particularly useful if you're running Expert Advisors and need to temporarily pause automated trading, or if you're using bridge tools that require AutoTrading to be enabled .

Function Keys Reference

The function keys (F1–F12) provide quick access to core platform features:

Take a moment to note F8—it opens chart properties, where you can adjust colors, grid visibility, and other display settings without going through the main menu . F7 opens EA settings if you have a robot attached to the chart, which is essential for fine-tuning automated strategies .

Customizing Your Own Hotkeys

Beyond the default shortcuts, MT5 lets you assign hotkeys to items in the Navigator window—scripts, indicators, and Expert Advisors that you use regularly.

To set a custom hotkey:

1. Open the Navigator (Ctrl+N)
2. Right-click the item you want to assign a shortcut to
3. Select "Set hotkey"
4. Press your desired key combination

Important: Custom hotkeys override predefined shortcuts. If you assign Ctrl+O to an indicator, it will no longer open the Options window .

A Smooth MT5 Workflow with Shortcuts

Here’s a practical workflow that uses shortcuts to speed up everyday tasks:

1. Open Market Watch (Ctrl+M) to see available symbols
2. Open a chart by dragging a symbol onto the workspace
3. Switch to candlestick view (Alt+2) and adjust colors (F8) if needed
4. Add an indicator from Navigator (Ctrl+N)
5. Check your positions in the Toolbox (Ctrl+T)
6. Open an order ticket (F9) when you're ready to trade

This workflow, put together by brokers and traders, reduces menu navigation and makes the platform feel much more responsive .

When the Shortcuts Are Not Enough: Managing Positions and Privacy

Keyboard shortcuts make MT5 more efficient, but there are some things they don't solve—like how to keep an eye on your positions without leaving a giant trading platform open on your screen.

If you're working at a desk in a shared environment, it's not always ideal to have MT5 visible. Minimizing it works, but you still lose quick access to prices and positions. Some traders use the F11 fullscreen toggle to hide menus, but that doesn't hide the window itself.

This is where tools like Camovia Tray become relevant. Camovia Tray turns your MT5 into a system tray utility—you can check live quotes by hovering over the tray icon, view your open positions, and even close them with a couple of clicks, all without bringing the MT5 window back into view. It also lets you hide the MT5 window entirely (it disappears from the taskbar and Alt+Tab), so your workspace stays clean.

The data stays on your computer, reading directly from your local terminal. And if you need to step away, you can lock the tray functionality with a single action to protect your privacy.

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MT5's keyboard shortcuts are a powerful starting point for streamlining your trading workflow. They cut down on friction, keep you focused on the charts, and save time across dozens of daily actions. Combine them with tools that solve the remaining pain points—like position monitoring and workspace privacy—and you can spend less time navigating the platform and more time making decisions.