Download MT4Best BrokersXM ReviewWhat is MT4?Tools

How-to · Account

How to Change Leverage in MT4

MT4 doesn't have a leverage button — leverage is part of your account terms, set by the broker. Here's exactly where to change it, what the regional caps are, and why higher leverage is riskier, not better.

By Daniel Reyes, Platforms Editor

MT4Download.com may earn a commission when you open an account with a broker through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our assessments — we only recommend brokers we consider reputable and regulated. See our full disclosure.

To change leverage in MT4 you don't touch the MT4 platform at all — there is no leverage setting in the terminal. Leverage is set by your broker, so you change it in the broker's client area (cabinet): log in, open your trading account, request the new ratio, and confirm. MT4 only displays your leverage and uses it to calculate how much margin each position needs.

How to change leverage (in the client area)

  1. Log in to your broker's client area

    Leverage is set by the broker, not inside MT4. Open your broker's website and sign in to the client area (also called the cabinet, portal, or members' area) — not the MT4 terminal itself.

  2. Find your trading account

    Go to the Accounts (or My Accounts) section and select the MT4 account whose leverage you want to change. Each account has its own leverage setting, tied to its login number.

  3. Request or select the new leverage

    Use the broker's Change Leverage option and pick the new ratio (for example 1:30, 1:100 or 1:500) from the values your broker and regulator allow. Some brokers apply it instantly; others review the request.

  4. Confirm and check it in MT4

    Confirm the change. Reopen MT4 and check the Navigator account tooltip or the Trade tab — the terminal now displays the new leverage and uses it to calculate the margin each position requires.

If your broker won't let you lower or raise leverage on an existing account, the simplest fix is to open a new MT4 account with the leverage you want and switch to it in the MT4 login window. [screenshot: broker client-area "Change Leverage" dropdown]

Leverage limits by region

  • EU / UK / Australia (retail) — ESMA, FCA and ASIC cap retail leverage at 1:30 on major forex pairs, and lower on indices, gold and crypto.
  • Offshore entities — brokers operating under offshore regulators may offer 1:500, 1:1000 or higher. Bigger numbers mean bigger risk, not a better deal.
  • It's account-specific — leverage attaches to each account's login number, so a demo and a live account (or two live accounts) can carry different leverage.

Why higher leverage is dangerous

Higher leverage magnifies losses, not just gains

Leverage cuts both ways: 1:500 lets a tiny adverse move erase your margin and trigger a stop out far faster than 1:30 would. It does not improve your odds or "make you money" — it only enlarges the outcome of the same price move. Choose leverage to suit your risk and position size, keep a stop loss on every trade, and test changes on a demo account first. This is general information, not financial advice, and most retail traders lose money.

Set your leverage on a free demo first

Open a free MT4 demo, pick a leverage level in the client area, and see how it changes your margin and risk before you commit real money.

Open a free MT4 demo → Forex risk management

⚠ Trading forex and CFDs is high-risk and most retail traders lose money. This is not financial advice.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you open a broker account through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Related

New to the platform? Start with how to use MT4, then open an MT4 account and compare options in best MT4 brokers. Learn the mechanics in forex risk management and the leverage glossary entry.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change leverage in MT4?

You can't change leverage inside the MT4 platform — there is no leverage setting in the terminal. Leverage is set by your broker, so you change it in the broker's client area (cabinet): log in, open your trading account, choose Change Leverage, pick the new ratio, and confirm. MT4 then displays the new leverage and uses it to work out margin.

Where is the leverage setting in MetaTrader 4?

There isn't one. MT4 only shows your current leverage — in the Navigator account tooltip and on the Trade tab — but it can't change it. The setting lives in your broker's client portal, because leverage is part of your account terms, not a platform option.

Can I change leverage on an open trade?

Changing your account leverage affects the margin requirement for new positions. Brokers usually let you change leverage only when you have no open positions or pending orders; if trades are open you may need to close them first. Always confirm your broker's exact rule before relying on it.

What leverage can I use in MT4?

It depends on your broker's regulator. EU/UK and Australian retail accounts (ESMA, FCA, ASIC) are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs and lower on other assets. Offshore entities may offer 1:500, 1:1000 or more. Higher leverage is not better — it magnifies losses just as much as gains.

Does higher leverage make me more money?

No. Leverage multiplies both gains and losses on the same price move, and it lets a small adverse move wipe out your margin and trigger a stop out. It does not improve your odds. Most retail traders lose money, and this is general information, not financial advice — manage position size and risk rather than reaching for high leverage.

Trading foreign exchange and contracts for difference (CFDs) carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leverage can work against you as well as for you. You could lose some or all of your deposited funds; do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Nothing on MT4Download.com is financial, investment, or trading advice. Consider your circumstances and seek independent advice if needed.