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MetaTrader 5 (MT5) Tutorial: Complete Beginner's Guide 2026

Master MetaTrader 5 step-by-step. Learn how to install MT5, place trades, use indicators, set up Expert Advisors, and become a professional trader.

📱 What is MetaTrader 5?

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is the world's most popular trading platform. Used by millions of traders worldwide, MT5 offers advanced charting, automated trading, and professional tools for forex, stocks, and futures trading.

Introduction to MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is a multi-asset trading platform developed by MetaQuotes Software. Released in 2010, it's the successor to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and offers significant improvements:

  • 21 Timeframes (vs MT4's 9)
  • More Order Types (6 vs 4)
  • Multiple Markets (Forex, Stocks, Futures, CFDs)
  • Better Strategy Tester (for backtesting)
  • Improved Charting (more indicators, better graphics)

Installing MetaTrader 5

Step 1: Download MT5

  1. From Your Broker: Most brokers provide MT5 download links
  2. Official Website: Visit MetaQuotes website (if needed)
  3. Mobile Apps: Available on iOS and Android

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Step 2: Install MT5

  1. Run the installer
  2. Follow installation wizard
  3. Choose installation location
  4. Complete installation

Step 3: Login

  1. Open MT5
  2. Enter your broker's server name
  3. Enter login credentials (from broker)
  4. Click "Login"

Note: You'll need a trading account from your broker first.

MT5 Interface Overview

Main Components

  1. Toolbar: Quick access to common functions
  2. Market Watch: List of available instruments
  3. Navigator: Indicators, Expert Advisors, scripts
  4. Charts: Price charts (main workspace)
  5. Terminal: Trade history, account info

Customizing the Interface

Arrange Windows:

  • Drag and drop windows
  • Right-click → "Tile" to organize
  • Save layouts: View → Layouts → Save

Color Schemes:

  • Tools → Options → Charts
  • Choose light or dark theme
  • Customize colors

Opening Your First Chart

Step 1: Open Market Watch

  • View → Market Watch (or press Ctrl+M)
  • Shows all available trading instruments

Step 2: Add Symbol to Chart

  1. Right-click symbol (e.g., EURUSD)
  2. Select "Chart Window"
  3. Chart opens in new window

Step 3: Customize Chart

Timeframes:

  • Right-click chart → Timeframes
  • Choose: M1, M5, M15, M30, H1, H4, D1, W1, MN1

Chart Types:

  • Candlesticks: Most popular (default)
  • Bars: OHLC bars
  • Line: Simple line chart

Placing Your First Trade

Method 1: Quick Trade (One-Click)

  1. Enable One-Click Trading:

    • Tools → Options → Trade
    • Check "One-Click Trading"

  2. Place Trade:

    • Right-click symbol in Market Watch
    • Click "Buy" or "Sell"
    • Trade executes immediately

Method 2: Order Window (Recommended)

  1. Open Order Window:

    • Right-click chart → Trading → New Order
    • Or press F9

  2. Set Trade Parameters:

    • Symbol: EURUSD (or your pair)
    • Volume: 0.01 (micro lot) for beginners
    • Type: Market Execution
    • Stop Loss: Set 20-50 pips below entry (for buys)
    • Take Profit: Set 40-100 pips above entry (for buys)

  3. Execute:

    • Click "Buy" or "Sell"
    • Confirm trade

Understanding Order Types

Market Order:

  • Executes immediately at current price
  • Best for: Quick entries

Pending Orders:

  • Buy Limit: Buy below current price
  • Sell Limit: Sell above current price
  • Buy Stop: Buy above current price (breakout)
  • Sell Stop: Sell below current price (breakdown)

Using Indicators

Adding Indicators

Method 1:

  1. Navigator Panel: View → Navigator (or press Ctrl+N)
  2. Expand "Indicators"
  3. Drag indicator to chart

Method 2:

  1. Right-click chart
  2. Insert → Indicators
  3. Choose indicator

Popular Indicators

Trend Indicators:

  • Moving Averages (MA): Shows trend direction
  • MACD: Momentum and trend changes
  • Bollinger Bands: Volatility and support/resistance

Oscillators:

  • RSI: Overbought/oversold conditions
  • Stochastic: Momentum indicator
  • CCI: Commodity Channel Index

Indicator Settings

  1. Right-click indicator on chart
  2. Select "Properties"
  3. Adjust parameters (periods, colors, etc.)
  4. Click "OK"

Setting Stop Loss and Take Profit

Setting on Open Trade

  1. Open Terminal: View → Terminal (or press Ctrl+T)
  2. Find Your Trade: Under "Trade" tab
  3. Right-Click Trade: Select "Modify or Delete Order"
  4. Set Stop Loss: Enter price or pips
  5. Set Take Profit: Enter price or pips
  6. Click "Modify"

Setting Before Trade

  1. Open Order Window: F9
  2. Set Stop Loss: Before placing trade
  3. Set Take Profit: Before placing trade
  4. Place Trade: Both levels set automatically

Important: Always use Stop Loss! Never trade without one.

Using Expert Advisors (EAs)

What are Expert Advisors?

Expert Advisors (EAs) are automated trading programs that trade for you based on predefined rules.

Installing an EA

  1. Download EA: From developer or marketplace
  2. Copy File: Copy .ex5 file to MT5 data folder
    • Usually: C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\YourBroker\MQL5\Experts
  3. Restart MT5: EA appears in Navigator
  4. Attach to Chart: Drag EA to chart
  5. Enable AutoTrading: Click "AutoTrading" button in toolbar

EA Settings

  1. Right-Click EA on Chart: Select "Properties"
  2. Inputs Tab: Adjust parameters
  3. Common Settings:
    • Magic Number: Unique ID for EA
    • Risk: Position size (e.g., 1% per trade)
    • Stop Loss: Maximum loss per trade
    • Take Profit: Profit target

Testing EAs

  1. Strategy Tester: View → Strategy Tester (or press Ctrl+R)
  2. Select EA: Choose from dropdown
  3. Set Parameters: Symbol, timeframe, date range
  4. Click "Start": EA backtests on historical data
  5. Review Results: Check profit, drawdown, win rate

Advanced MT5 Features

Multiple Charts

Open Multiple Charts:

  • Right-click symbol → "Chart Window"
  • Arrange: Window → Tile Horizontally/Vertically

Synchronize Charts:

  • Tools → Options → Charts
  • Enable "Synchronize crosshair"

Alerts

Set Price Alerts:

  1. Right-click chart → "Trading" → "Alert"
  2. Set price level
  3. Choose action (sound, email, notification)
  4. Click "OK"

When price reaches level: Alert triggers

Templates

Save Chart Setup:

  1. Customize chart (indicators, colors, etc.)
  2. Right-click chart → "Template" → "Save Template"
  3. Name template (e.g., "My Trading Setup")

Load Template:

  1. Right-click chart → "Template" → "Load Template"
  2. Select saved template

Mobile MT5 App

Features

  • Full Trading: Place and manage trades
  • Charts: View price charts with indicators
  • Alerts: Price and indicator alerts
  • News: Economic calendar and news

Download

  • iOS: App Store → "MetaTrader 5"
  • Android: Google Play → "MetaTrader 5"

Login

  1. Open app
  2. Tap "Login to an account"
  3. Enter broker server and credentials
  4. Start trading

Common MT5 Tasks

Closing a Trade

Method 1:

  1. Open Terminal (Ctrl+T)
  2. Find trade under "Trade" tab
  3. Right-click → "Close Order"

Method 2:

  1. Right-click chart → "Trading" → "Close Order"
  2. Select trade to close

Modifying a Trade

  1. Open Terminal (Ctrl+T)
  2. Right-click trade → "Modify or Delete Order"
  3. Change Stop Loss or Take Profit
  4. Click "Modify"

Viewing Trade History

  1. Open Terminal (Ctrl+T)
  2. Click "History" tab
  3. View all closed trades
  4. Right-click → "Report" for detailed analysis

MT5 Tips and Tricks

Tip 1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts

  • F9: New Order
  • Ctrl+M: Market Watch
  • Ctrl+N: Navigator
  • Ctrl+T: Terminal
  • Ctrl+R: Strategy Tester

Tip 2: Customize Toolbar

  • Right-click toolbar → "Customize"
  • Add/remove buttons
  • Organize for quick access

Tip 3: Save Workspaces

  • Arrange all windows
  • File → Save Workspace
  • Load later: File → Open Workspace

Tip 4: Use Market Depth

  • View → Market Depth
  • See buy/sell orders at different prices
  • Helps understand liquidity

Common MT5 Mistakes

  1. Not Using Stop Loss: Biggest mistake
  2. Overtrading: Too many trades
  3. Ignoring Risk Management: Risking too much
  4. Not Testing EAs: Using untested automated strategies
  5. Not Backing Up: Losing custom indicators/EAs

Summary

MetaTrader 5 is a powerful platform that can help you become a professional trader. Master the basics, then explore advanced features like Expert Advisors and automated trading.

Key Takeaways:

  • Always use Stop Loss on every trade
  • Start with demo account to practice
  • Learn keyboard shortcuts for efficiency
  • Test EAs before using on live account
  • Customize interface to your preferences

Next Steps

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) Tutorial: Complete Beginner's Guide 2026 - Trading Guide | AraciKurum.org | AraciKurum.org