You already know how fast things can change, especially when day trading, if you have ever traded in real-time with a prop firm. One minute the market looks stable and predictable, and the next it is blasting through your levels like they never existed. When you are working inside strict risk rules, limited drawdown allowances, and evaluation stress, every second counts. For this reason, learning MT5 hotkeys is not just a convenience but a potent edge.
Most traders have no idea how much time they waste fiddling with chart settings, dragging tools around, or clicking through menus. The fastest and most solid prop traders, however, use their platform as an extension of the hand. They don't waste moves. They don't second-guess. They simply act.
So, if you want to trade cleaner, quicker, and with more confidence during high-pressure sessions, learning MT5's shortcuts is one of the easiest wins you can grab. Let's talk about the shortcuts and workflow tricks that actually matter for prop traders.
Why Shortcuts Matter So Much in a Prop Firm Setting
To most retail dealers, the shortcuts are just a convenience. In prop trading, though, they're all but vital during the difficulties or financed stages; here's why:
Speed of Execution is Everything
Prop traders often scalp, day trade, or momentum trade very fast-moving assets. A change in liquidity, spreads widening, or breaking news can cut your chance at a clean fill down by orders of magnitude. Shaving off even one second from your process can make the difference between chasing a candle and getting a breakout.
Making fewer mistakes under pressure
The more you are dependent on clicking around, the higher the chance of mis-clicking on something at the worst possible time. Shortcuts reduce that risk by narrowing your actions to intuitive, muscle-memory movements.
More Screen Time = More Fatigue
Prop traders spend many hours onscreen. It's just far more ergonomic to navigate with your keyboard and way less mentally draining over the long haul.
Stricter Risk Rules Demand Speedier Adjustments
MT5 trading platform hotkeys give you the ability to change stops, close positions, or change lot sizes without breaking flow. For prop traders who must stay inside strict daily drawdown limits, this level of control is priceless.
That means the shortcuts will make you quicker, cooler, and more accurate-all those traits prop firms love.
The Most Important MT5 Shortcuts for Day Traders
Let's look at the shortcuts that actually make a difference when it comes to live markets. These are the shortcuts that a professional trader uses every day, not outdated ones tucked deep in the MT5 handbook.
Chart Navigation Shortcuts
Switch Between Open Charts
Ctrl + Tab (next chart)
Ctrl + Shift + Tab (previous chart)
That's huge for prop traders monitoring multiple pairs or assets: EURUSD, XAUUSD, indices, crypto, etc. You won't have to click those little tabs like it is 2009; you'll flip between charts and follow momentum across markets in an instant.
Zoom In / Zoom Out
+ to zoom in
– to zoom out
You'll be constantly readjusting chart zoom to see structure, micro-levels, and candle patterns when scalping. Using a mouse scroll can work to do this; it's just imprecise. The shortcut is much cleaner and faster.
Switch Timeframes
M1 → Ctrl+1
M5 → Ctrl+2
M15 → Ctrl+3
M30 → Ctrl+4
H1 → Ctrl+5
H4 → Ctrl+6
D1 → Ctrl+7
Switching between timeframes is one of the daily habits of many traders, especially those involved in trend confirmation and/or multi-timeframe analysis. These hotkeys save precious seconds each time.
Trading and Order Execution Shortcuts
Pay attention here, since these are the shortcuts that move your money.
Open New Order Window
F9
This is a must-have. Instead of dragging your mouse to "New Order," hitting F9 instantly opens the order panel. When news drops or a breakout hits, this shortcut gets you in the game immediately.
Close Positions Fast
Ctrl + W closes the active chart window
Alt + F4 closes the entire MT5 platform (careful!)
But the real pro move: One-Click Trading
Once activated-more on this later-you will be able to close positions with a single click on the chart or Terminal.
Close All Open Trades Quickly
This is not integrated into default MT5, but the best prop firm traders have a hotkey script or an EA that closes all trades at once. It is not technically a shortcut unless you program one, but the fact that its commonplace merits mention, as it saves accounts during high volatility.
Chart Tools and Drawing Shortcuts
Drawing tools are used extensively by day traders: trendlines, horizontal lines, Fibonacci retracements, and channels. Using shortcuts to mark levels is incredibly fast.
Trendline Tool
Ctrl + F
Instant trendline: You don't need to click the toolbar and hunt for the icon, then draw. Just hit Ctrl+F and start marking levels.
Crosshair Tool
Ctrl + F – once pressed gives trendline; hold it down gives crosshair
Middle mouse button also activates crosshair
It also serves to measure the pips, compare candles, check wicks, etc.
Horizontal Line
No default shortcut, but you can create one manually.
Quite often Prop traders assign something like Ctrl + H to speed up marking support/resistance.
Organizing the Workspace
That is to say, when you day trade, sometimes your chart can get pretty cluttered. These hotkeys help in keeping things smooth, mainly in fast markets.
Open / Close Terminal Window (trade panel)
Ctrl + T
You will use this all the time, checking your open trades, equity, swap, commissions, and order history.
Navigator Window
Ctrl + N
This is where your indicators and EAs reside. The Navigator opens quickly, which is a plus when applying templates and testing indicators.
Market Watch
Ctrl + M
Helps you change symbols quickly, watch price movements, or drag new pairs onto charts.
Full-Screen Charts
F11
If you are a prop trader and are using multiple monitors, then this is perfect. It removes everything but the chart so you can focus like a sniper.