Level 3 · Lesson 2 of 12 · 5 min read
Your First Forex Chart Setup (MT4/MT5)
Candlesticks, timeframes, zoom. Get comfortable with what you see.
Researched and written by Laurent Step 1: Switch to Candlesticks
When you first open a chart, it might be showing a line chart or bar chart. Switch to candlestick immediately. On MT4/MT5, look for the candlestick icon in the chart toolbar (it looks like a small candle), or press Alt+2.
Candlestick charts show you four data points per candle: open, high, low, close. The color tells you instantly who won that period (buyers or sellers). This is the foundation of everything you'll learn in Level 4.
Step 2: Choose Your Timeframe
For now, set it to D1 (Daily). Each candle represents one full trading day. This gives you the clearest picture with the least noise.
M1Scalpers only
M5Very fast
M15Day traders
H1Intraday
H4Swing
D1Start here ✅
W1Position
MNMacro
Step 3: Navigation Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in | + key or scroll wheel up |
| Zoom out | - key or scroll wheel down |
| Scroll history | Click and drag left/right |
| Crosshair tool | Ctrl + F or middle mouse button |
| Snap to current price | Press End key |
| Change timeframe | Click M1/M5/.../MN in toolbar |
Step 4: Color Theme
Right-click the chart > Properties > Colors. Most traders prefer:
- Bullish candle: Green body (or white/hollow)
- Bearish candle: Red body (or black/filled)
- Background: White or dark gray (match your preference)
- Grid: Off or very faint (it's distracting)
Save your template: Right-click chart > Template > Save Template > name it "MyDefault." Now every new chart you open can use this template instantly. You'll thank yourself later when you need to check a new pair quickly.
Key Takeaways
- • Switch to candlestick view immediately. It is the standard for forex trading.
- • Start with the Daily (D1) timeframe for clearer, less noisy signals.
- • Learn the keyboard shortcuts: +/- to zoom, scroll to move, Ctrl+click to crosshair.
- • Save your chart template so every new chart looks the same.