How to Set Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Orders on MT5

How to set stop-loss and take-profit orders on MetaTrader 5, step by step: in the order ticket, on an open position, by dragging on the chart, and with a trailing stop — plus the Stops level rule that rejects orders placed too close.

On MetaTrader 5, a stop-loss and a take-profit can be set when you open a position, added to a position afterwards, or dragged into place on the chart. Once set, both live on the server and work whether or not your terminal is running. This guide is the platform steps. What the orders do is covered in stop-loss vs take-profit.

Key Takeaways

• Set SL and TP in the order ticket before clicking Buy or Sell, or modify the position afterwards.
• Both are stored on the server. A trailing stop is not — it runs in your terminal.
• Orders closer to the price than the instrument's Stops level are rejected.
• Your stop is triggered at the bid on a long and the ask on a short.

Method 1: In the Order Ticket

1. Open a new order: F9, or right-click the symbol in Market Watch → New Order, or double-click the symbol.
2. Set the Volume.
3. Enter a price in Stop Loss and, if wanted, Take Profit. For a Buy, the stop is below the current price and the take-profit above; for a Sell, the reverse.
4. Click Buy or Sell.

If a field turns red, the level is on the wrong side of the price or inside the Stops level (see below).

Method 2: On an Open Position

1. In the Toolbox → Trade tab, right-click the position.
2. Choose Modify or Delete.
3. Enter or change the Stop Loss and Take Profit levels.
4. Click Modify.

The same dialog lets you remove a level by clearing the field.

Method 3: On the Chart

With the position shown on the chart, drag the position line up or down to create a stop-loss or take-profit at the release point, or drag an existing SL/TP line to move it. Enable this under Tools → Options → Trade if dragging is not active.

Method 4: Trailing Stop

1. Right-click the open position in the Trade tab.
2. Choose Trailing Stop and a distance in points, or Custom for another value.

The trailing stop moves the stop-loss behind the price by that distance as the trade gains, and never moves it back. It is executed by your terminal, not the server. If the terminal is closed or disconnected, trailing stops; the last stop-loss level it set stays on the server and remains live. For a position you will not be watching, a fixed stop-loss is the safer order.

The Stops Level Rule

Each instrument has a Stops level in its contract specification: the minimum distance in points between the current price and any stop or limit order. A stop placed closer than this is rejected. The level can widen in volatile conditions, so an order that was accepted at 14:00 may be refused at a data release.

Which Price Triggers the Stop

Charts show the bid. A long position's stop is triggered at the bid, which is what the chart shows. A short position's stop is triggered at the ask, which is above the bid by the spread. When the spread widens, the ask can reach a short's stop while the bid line on the chart is still below it. This is the most common reason a stop appears to have triggered early.

One-Click Trading

If one-click trading is enabled on the chart, clicking Buy or Sell opens a position immediately with no order ticket and therefore no stop-loss. Set the stop afterwards with Method 2 or 3.

Worked Example

Long 0.10 lot EURUSD at 1.08500. Stop at 1.08200 (30 pips, $30). Take-profit at 1.09100 (60 pips, $60). Ratio 1 : 2. The stop is stored on the server; if the bid reaches 1.08200 the position is closed at the next available price. If the ask reaches 1.09100 the take-profit fills at that price or better, or waits. See risk-to-reward ratio for how the ratio interacts with the win rate.

Common Mistakes

• Stop on the wrong side of the price. The field turns red; the order is rejected.
• Stop inside the Stops level. Rejected.
• Trailing stop on a terminal that will disconnect.
• One-click trade with no stop and the intention to "add it in a minute".
• Stop inside the spread on a short, triggered by the ask.

Does the stop-loss work if I close MT5?

Yes. Fixed stop-loss and take-profit orders are held on the server. Trailing stops are not.

Why was my stop-loss rejected?

Most often because it was inside the instrument's Stops level, or on the wrong side of the current price.

Can I set a stop-loss after opening the position?

Yes. Right-click the position in the Trade tab → Modify or Delete, or drag the position line on the chart.

Is a stop-loss guaranteed on MT5?

The order is guaranteed to be sent when the level is reached; the fill is at the next available price. See stop-loss orders.

Is it the same on Web Trader?

The same fields exist in the Web Trader order ticket and position modification dialog.

Related Guides

Stop-loss vs take-profit · Stop-loss orders · MetaTrader 5 order types · Contract specifications on MT5 · Risk-to-reward ratio