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MT4 Keyboard Shortcuts: The Full Hotkey List

Every MetaTrader 4 hotkey worth knowing, in one table. Press F9 to open an order, Ctrl+M for the Market Watch, Alt+2 for candlesticks — the stock MT4 desktop defaults that make the platform faster to use.

By Daniel Reyes, Platforms Editor

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MT4 keyboard shortcuts let you drive MetaTrader 4 without hunting through menus: F9 opens a new order, Ctrl+M toggles the Market Watch, and Alt+2 switches the chart to candlesticks. The hotkeys below are the stock MT4 desktop defaults (build 1460) — they work the same on any standard Windows terminal. The mobile apps are touch-based and don't use them. New here? Start with how to use MT4.

The five shortcuts to learn first

  1. Press F9 to open an order

    On any chart, press F9 to open the New Order window. F12 steps the chart back one bar, F11 toggles full screen, and F8 opens Chart Properties.

  2. Toggle the panels with Ctrl

    Ctrl+M opens Market Watch, Ctrl+N the Navigator, Ctrl+T the Terminal, and Ctrl+D the Data Window. Ctrl+O opens Tools ▸ Options.

  3. Switch chart type with Alt

    Alt+1 shows bars, Alt+2 candlesticks, and Alt+3 a line chart. Use + and − to zoom, and the arrow keys or Page Up / Page Down to scroll.

Those cover trading and the layout. For the rest — grids, crosshair, zoom, jumping to the last bar — use the full table below.

Full MT4 keyboard shortcut list

Grouped by what they do. These are the default hotkeys on the standard MetaTrader 4 desktop terminal; the mobile apps differ.

ShortcutWhat it does
Trading & function keys
F9Open the New Order window
F8Open Chart Properties
F11Toggle full-screen mode
F12Step the chart back one bar (Shift+F12 steps forward)
Open a panel or window
Ctrl+MMarket Watch
Ctrl+NNavigator
Ctrl+TTerminal
Ctrl+DData Window
Ctrl+OOptions (Tools ▸ Options)
Ctrl+IIndicators List (for the active chart)
Ctrl+BObjects List
Chart display
Alt+1Bar chart
Alt+2Candlestick chart
Alt+3Line chart
Ctrl+GShow / hide the grid
Ctrl+YShow / hide period separators
Ctrl+LShow / hide volumes
Ctrl+FCrosshair
Ctrl+SSave chart data (.csv / .prn / .htm)
Zoom, scroll & navigate
+ / −Zoom the chart in / out
Arrow keysScroll the chart left / right / up / down
Page Up / Page DownScroll one screen left / right
Home / EndJump to the first / last bar
DeleteRemove the selected object

A − in the zoom row is the minus key; on some keyboards the numpad + and − work too. Verified against the standard MT4 desktop terminal — see charts & timeframes for what these chart hotkeys change.

Custom hotkeys and mobile

  • Custom indicators, scripts & EAs — you can assign a hotkey to an item in the Navigator: right-click it ▸ Set Hotkey. MT4 has no built-in editor to remap the default chart and panel shortcuts above.
  • Mac — the same defaults apply when MT4 runs through a broker-supplied wrapper or a Windows layer; a Mac keyboard's fn row may need fn held to send F9–F12.
  • Mobile — the Android and iOS MT4 apps are touch-based and don't use keyboard shortcuts. You tap the on-screen toolbar instead — see how to place a trade in MT4 for the desktop and the broad idea on mobile.
A shortcut just opens a window — it doesn't reduce risk

Pressing F9 opens the order ticket faster, but it doesn't make the trade any safer. Trading is high-risk and most retail traders lose money. Always set a stop loss, size positions sensibly, and practise on a demo until the platform is second nature. Nothing here is financial advice.

Practise the shortcuts on a free demo

Open a free MT4 demo and drill F9, Ctrl+M and Alt+2 with virtual money until the hotkeys are muscle memory — before risking real funds.

Open a free MT4 demo → How to use MT4

⚠ Trading forex and CFDs is high-risk and most retail traders lose money. This is not financial advice.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you open a broker account through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Related

This is a reference for the wider how to use MT4 guide. The chart hotkeys make more sense alongside MT4 charts & timeframes, and F9 is the shortcut behind how to place a trade in MT4.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most useful MT4 keyboard shortcuts?

F9 opens the New Order window, F8 opens Chart Properties, and F11 toggles full screen. Ctrl+M, Ctrl+N and Ctrl+T open the Market Watch, Navigator and Terminal panels, and Alt+1/2/3 switch between bar, candlestick and line charts. These are the stock MetaTrader 4 desktop defaults.

What does F9 do in MT4?

F9 opens the New Order (order entry) window for the active chart, where you set the symbol, volume in lots, order type, and any stop loss or take profit before clicking Buy or Sell. It's the fastest way to place a trade without using the menu or right-click.

How do I switch chart type in MT4 with the keyboard?

Press Alt+1 for a bar chart, Alt+2 for candlesticks, and Alt+3 for a line chart. To zoom, press + or −; to scroll, use the left/right arrow keys or Page Up / Page Down, and Home / End jump to the first or last bar on the chart.

Can I change or customise MT4 keyboard shortcuts?

The shortcuts on this page are stock MetaTrader 4 desktop defaults. MT4 does not include a built-in editor to remap most hotkeys, but you can view and assign hotkeys for custom indicators, scripts and Expert Advisors in the Navigator (right-click ▸ Set Hotkey). Mobile MT4 apps don't use these keyboard shortcuts.

Do the MT4 keyboard shortcuts work on Mac or mobile?

These are Windows desktop defaults and they work on the standard MetaTrader 4 terminal, including a Mac running MT4 through a wrapper or Windows. The Android and iOS MT4 apps are touch-based and do not use keyboard shortcuts. No indicator or layout setting changes the underlying market data, and no shortcut affects trading risk — most retail traders lose money.

Trading foreign exchange and contracts for difference (CFDs) carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leverage can work against you as well as for you. You could lose some or all of your deposited funds; do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Nothing on MT4Download.com is financial, investment, or trading advice. Consider your circumstances and seek independent advice if needed.