Summary
Most MT5 indicators have settings you rarely touch — but changing them can completely change how they work for you. These hidden settings can make your charts cleaner, your signals clearer, and your trades more confident. Here are five that every trader should know.
Key Takeaways
Small setting changes can make a big difference in indicator performance.
You don’t need new indicators — just smarter use of the ones you have.
Always test changes in a demo account first.
These tweaks work for most built-in MT5 indicators.
Less noise = more focus.
A – The Idea in Simple Words
Indicators are like tools — they work best when adjusted for the job. By default, MT5 uses settings that are fine for general use, but not tailored to your style. Changing a period length, color, or calculation type can reveal trends earlier or filter out bad signals. We’ll look at five easy changes that can help without adding complexity.
B – The 5 Hidden Settings
1. Indicator Periods
Found in almost every indicator’s settings.
Example: Changing a Moving Average from 14 to 20 smooths it out; from 14 to 9 makes it more responsive.
Tip: Match period to your trading timeframe.
2. Shift (or Offset)
Moves the indicator forward or backward on the chart.
Helps you visualize trends or find better entry points.
Example: Shift a Moving Average forward to see where price might meet it.
3. Applied Price
Many indicators can use Open, High, Low, Close, Median, or Weighted prices.
Example: Using Median Price can reduce spikes compared to Close Price.
4. Levels
Adding custom horizontal levels to indicators like RSI or Stochastic.
Example: In RSI, instead of 70/30, try 80/20 for fewer false signals.
5. Visualization by Timeframe
C – Quick Example with Numbers
RSI default settings:
RSI adjusted for high volatility pair:
Effect: Fewer signals, but each is stronger.
D – Common Mistakes & Fixes
Changing too many settings at once → Test one change at a time.
Not understanding the setting → Read the MT5 help description first.
Using same settings on all pairs → Adjust per instrument volatility.
Forgetting to save templates → Save once you find a good setup.
Overfitting → Avoid perfect past performance if it ruins live adaptability.
E – If You Use My Tools (Optional)
Many of my MT5 indicators include extra settings beyond the defaults — giving you more control over signals. See my MQL5 profile for tools with customizable parameters.
Mini-Glossary
Indicator Period: Number of bars used in calculation.
Shift/Offset: Moves indicator along the time axis.
Applied Price: The price value used in the calculation.
Levels: Horizontal lines for reference in oscillators.
Visualization: Controls which timeframes show the indicator.
Checklist
Check indicator periods — adjust to your style.
Experiment with shift for better alignment.
Try different applied prices to reduce noise.
Adjust levels to filter bad signals.
Use timeframe-based visualization for cleaner charts.
