Best MACD Settings for 1 Minute Chart?

You finally caught a big move on the 1-minute chart, but your entry was late, and your exit was worse.

Maybe your MACD + filters + timing, all looked promising, but by the time you acted, the trend had reversed.

If you’ve ever felt like your indicators are lagging behind your instincts, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll break down the most accurate MACD settings for 1-minute scalping (backed by real trade examples, Reddit insights, and filter combinations like RSI, EMAs, and volume), so you can enter earlier, exit cleaner, and stop second-guessing your setups.

What is the most accurate MACD setting for 1 minute chart?

For 1-minute scalping, the best MACD settings are typically 6 (fast length; tracks short-term momentum over the last 6 candles), 13 (slow length; compares it to the broader 13-candle trend), and 5 (signal line; a smoothed 5-period average to confirm shifts). This combo reacts fast (usually within 1–2 candles, or 60–120 seconds — compared to the 3–5 candle lag with default MACD settings) without getting overwhelmed by noise (i.e., random wicks, small countertrend pullbacks, bid-ask spread spikes, low-volume candle reversals, or indecision bars).

For example, during a London open on EUR/USD, price bounced off support at 1.0810 and surged after a bullish engulfing candle. With standard MACD settings (12-26-9), the crossover (MACD line crossing above the signal line, indicating momentum) happened after price reached 1.0830, missing most of the move. In contrast, the 6-13-5 setup triggered a crossover at 1.0815 (due to its shorter, more responsive lookback periods), allowing an early entry and a 15–20 pip scalp before the retracement began.

Some scalpers go even tighter with 5-13-6 or 3-10-16 for ultra-fast reactions, but these can generate false signals in choppy conditions (like when price is bouncing up and down in a tight range without a clear trend; for example, during lunch hours or just before a major news event — where fake breakouts and quick reversals are common).

The well-known trader Linda Raschke popularized the 3‑10‑16 MACD, which typically uses SMAs instead of EMAs (+ RSI, Bollinger Bands, and support/resistance levels), whereas both OpoFinance and MarketBulls recommend 5-13-6 to capture fast momentum shifts (back tests show 5% boost in annualized returns).

What are the best MACD settings for short term trading on the 1-minute chart?

Other tested MACD settings (including when to use) for the 1-minute chart include:

i) 5, 8, 3 MACD setting

Ultra-sensitive for fast entries (like jumping in on the first big candle after news or at market open), best for assets that move clearly in one direction (without lots of random spikes or fakeouts; think BTC, EUR/USD, or NASDAQ minis). Works best with a second check, like RSI or a simple EMA crossover (9 over 21), to avoid getting tricked during slow, choppy markets.

✅ Use when:

During the London open (≈ 8 AM GMT), EUR/USD often breaks out of the narrow Asian range (typically between 1 AM–6 AM GMT). In one clean breakout, price surged 15 pips in 2 minutes. The 5‑8‑3 MACD crossed bullish on the first candle of the move, aligning with a volume spike.

❌ Avoid when:

Mid-session (≈ 11 AM GMT), EUR/USD drifted in a 5-pip range. The 5‑8‑3 MACD flipped multiple times with no follow-through (resulting in repeated false entries. In such sideways, low-volume markets, ultra-responsive settings simply echo noise, not direction.

ii) 8, 17, 9 MACD setting

A slightly slower option (compared to ultra-fast setups like 5-8-3 or 3-6-2) that filters out some noise (such as tiny pullbacks, indecision candles, or price spikes caused by low liquidity) while still staying aggressive (meaning it reacts quickly enough to capture the bulk of a move without lagging far behind) for short timeframes (especially 1- and 5-minute charts).

✅ Use when:

In USD/JPY during Tokyo–London overlap (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM GMT; a moderately active but not frantic session), price climbed 20 pips over 4 minutes. The 8‑17‑9 MACD crossed shortly after the first strong bullish candle—capturing most of the run but avoiding micro-fluctuations.

❌ Avoid when:

During a EUR/GBP spike caused by a surprise central bank tweet, volatility exploded. The 8‑17‑9 MACD signaled 1 minute late (after 10 pips had already been made). Here, a faster MACD (e.g. 5‑8‑3) would catch it sooner, while 8‑17‑9 lags behind.

iii) 3, 6, 2 MACD setting

For extreme scalping (think in-and-out trades that last 30–90 seconds, aiming for just 3–7 pips or a quick 0.2–0.4% move). This setup is razor-sharp as it reacts to momentum shifts almost instantly, but is also prone to whipsaws (like during low-volume hours, tight consolidation zones, or when price wicks back and forth within a 5–10 pip range). That’s why it should only be used with strict stop-loss rules (e.g., max 3–5 pip stop or fixed % risk) and strong confirmation signals. These include clear bullish engulfing candles (spanning at least 3x the average recent candle size) or volume surges that exceed the previous 10-bar average by at least 1.5x.

Note: Academic tests (e.g., Tong Chio, 2022) find that MACD strategies on short timeframes underperform unless combined with additional momentum filters (like RSI or MFI)

✅ Use when:

In a sudden ETH/USD rally triggered by major crypto news, price leapt 50 cents in under a minute. The 3‑6‑2 MACD flagged the bullish crossover just 20 seconds after the move began, enabling entry prior to most momentum traders, even beating some timely algorithms.

❌ Avoid when:

In low-liquidity crypto altcoins (e.g., SHIBA, FLOKI, or low-cap tokens with thin order books) or during calm hours (typically 2:00 AM – 5:00 AM GMT, when both U.S. and Asia are quiet and volume dries up), the 3‑6‑2 MACD churns out crossovers every few seconds with no meaningful follow-through (price moves a few ticks in one direction, then instantly reverses). Traders get stopped out repeatedly.

Which momentum filters to pair the best 1-minute MACD settings with?

The best momentun filters include:

1. RSI (Relative Strength Index, 7-period) + MACD 5-8-3

Why it works: MACD 5-8-3 reacts extremely fast to short-term price momentum, while RSI (7-period) helps confirm whether that momentum is strong enough to follow.

“I don't use RSI or MACD for longer than a moment to check momentum … with Forex, RSI and MACD are probably best used as a divergence indicator and trend confirmation indicator respectively.” u/misterni_

💡 Read more about best RSI settings for scalping

Pairing strategy:

1. Let MACD 5-8-3 provide the entry trigger (crossover).
2. Confirm it with RSI (7-period): go long only when RSI is rising from below 30, or short when it’s falling from above 70.

🔎 Additional contextual filters:

1. Use on high-volume, volatile assets like BTC/USDT, NASDAQ micro-futures, and EUR/USD.
2. Best used during session opens:
3. a. London open: ~7:00–9:00 AM GMT
4. b. New York open: ~12:30–2:00 PM GMT
5. Avoid if news is scheduled (e.g., CPI, FOMC, NFP) within the next 10 minutes; these events can instantly reverse setups.
6. Look for higher timeframe alignment (e.g., 15-minute or 1-hour trend pointing in same direction as your 1-minute MACD crossover).

✅ Entry only if RSI (7-period) confirms the MACD 5-8-3 crossover; meaning both show momentum in the same direction and price is not already in an overextended zone (e.g., RSI above 85 or MACD histogram spiking after multiple green candles, suggesting you're chasing the end of a move).

❌ Avoid when RSI and MACD are conflicting; for example, MACD flashes a bullish crossover while RSI is falling; this usually signals weak or fading momentum, increasing the chance of a failed breakout.

2. EMA structure (9 EMA & 21 EMA) + MACD 8-17-9

Why it works: The MACD 8-17-9 strikes a balance between fast reaction and signal clarity — making it less jumpy than ultra-fast MACDs like 5-8-3. When paired with a 9 EMA and 21 EMA structure, it filters out impulsive trades by keeping you aligned with the dominant short-term trend.

“I use 9 and 21 EMA on a one minute chart for daytrading entry and exits. Also have a 30 minute chart up with 9 and 21 and a daily chart.” u/Skeewampus

Pairing strategy:

1. Use MACD 8-17-9 crossover as the signal.
2. Take long entries only when 9 EMA is above 21 EMA (uptrend), and shorts only when 9 EMA is below 21 EMA (downtrend).
3. This confirms you're trading with the market's immediate direction, not against it.

🔎 Additional contextual filters:

1. Best for ranging or mean-reverting markets that still give directional setups (e.g., USD/JPY, gold, US30), especially during off-peak hours like 9:00–11:00 AM GMT or 2:00–4:00 PM GMT, when volatility is stable but not explosive.
2. Avoid using immediately after news releases (like ECB decisions) or volatile breakouts (like BTC ETF/ETP approval)
3. Note: EMAs are lagging indicators and can paint misleading structure during sudden moves.
4. Use with ATR (Average True Range) (set ATR to 14-period on 1-min or 5-min; rising ATR = trend expansion, flat/low ATR = compression) or Bollinger Bands (20-period SMA with 2.0 std dev; tight bands = compression, widening bands = breakout likely) to check if volatility is compressed (tight chop) or expanding (healthy move).
5. Confirm with price respecting EMAs (e.g., pullbacks bouncing off 9 EMA in a trend).

✅ Works best with trailing stops (e.g., following the 9 EMA as a dynamic stop) or scaling out in phases as price moves in your favor. Combine with support/resistance levels for extra precision — for example, only take MACD crossovers into support in an uptrend or away from resistance in a downtrend.

❌ Avoid when EMAs are flat, tangled, or flipping — this usually signals consolidation or indecision, where MACD can give mixed or fake signals.

3. Volume spike + MACD 3-6-2

Why it works: The MACD 3-6-2 is extremely fast and gives near-instant momentum signals, but without confirmation, it's highly prone to false alarms. A volume spike confirms that there’s real buying or selling interest behind the move, not just random price noise.

“Is MACD and Volume all you need? I also use EMA but when it comes to entries it seems like MACD is best for bullish/bearish cycles.” u/BrokeExternally

Pairing strategy:

1. Use the MACD 3-6-2 crossover as a trigger; bullish when the MACD line crosses above the signal line, bearish when it crosses below.
2. Confirm the crossover with a clear volume surge, defined as:
   • Volume bar exceeding the 20-bar average by 1.5x or more
   • VWAP breakout (price crossing above/below VWAP with volume acceleration)
   • OBV (On-Balance Volume) spiking in the direction of the crossover

🔎 Additional contextual filters:

1. Best used on high-beta or fast-moving assets, like ETH, SOL, DOGE, small-cap stocks, or oil futures, especially around key catalysts (e.g., earnings, token news, or CPI releases).
2. Use during high-volatility windows such as:
   • Crypto: 12:00–16:00 GMT (U.S. market open overlap)
   • Equities: first 15–30 minutes after NYSE open (13:30–14:00 GMT)
3. Entry should be followed by immediate expansion, meaning the next 1–2 candles should have strong body size and directional momentum (not doji or hesitation).
4. Avoid during low-liquidity periods, like lunch hours (17:00–18:30 GMT) or weekends (for crypto), when price may flicker without conviction.
5. Use tight hard stops (e.g., 0.25–0.4% from entry or just below last minor swing) and aim to exit within 2–3 candles, since this setup is for catching spikes, not trends.

✅ Confirm with external sentiment tools like Twitter/X trend scans, MC² Finance token score cards/whale alerts, Dexscreener spikes, or volume heatmaps to validate whether the spike is news-driven or speculative.

❌ Avoid if volume is rising but price is indecisive (e.g., wicks on both ends, choppy body); this suggests liquidity games or fakeouts, not clean momentum. This combo works best for aggressive scalpers who act fast and exit faster.

4. Support/resistance zones + MACD 6-13-5

Why it works: The MACD 6-13-5 is a balanced setting; it reacts quickly enough for short-term trades but filters out some of the noise seen with ultra-fast MACDs like 3-6-2. When paired with support/resistance (S/R) zones, it adds structure and timing.

“I am currently using support and resistance, heikin ashi candle, and MACD for my strategy so once it gets to my support or resistances zone… as long as my macd cross over [remain valid] I would enter a trade…” u/asianxxxxx

Pairing strategy:

1. Watch for the MACD 6-13-5 crossover (bullish or bearish) to occur at or just after price touches or breaks a key level (e.g., session high, previous day low, or VWAP zone).
2. Entry should follow a break-and-close above (or below) the level, or a clear confirmation candle (e.g., a bullish engulfing bar, strong Marubozu, or breakout retest wick rejection).
3. Combine MACD crossover with price structure (don’t rely on indicator alone).

🔎 Additional contextual filters:

1. Use well-established S/R levels, such as:
   • Previous day’s high/low
   • Daily pivot points (central, R1/S1)
   • VWAP bands
   • Pre-market high/low for stocks
2. Avoid trading levels that have already been tested 3 or more times — statistically, the more a level is tested, the more likely it breaks with noise and traps.
3. In crypto or futures scalping, confirm with order book imbalances or market depth data (e.g., strong bids stacked at support or offers stacked at resistance).
4. Best used in liquid, volatile markets like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, NASDAQ, or SPX mini futures — especially near:
   • 08:00–10:00 GMT (London breakout)
   • 13:30–15:00 GMT (U.S. equity open and early momentum)
5. Pair with reliable candle setups like:
   • Pin bars (wick rejection at level)
   • Inside bars (volatility squeeze near key zone)
   • Engulfing candles (strong reversal confirmation)

✅ This strategy works best when the MACD crossover happens just as price breaks out from compression, especially when the level hasn’t been “exhausted” and there’s room for clean follow-through (e.g., next resistance is 10+ pips away or next liquidity wall is far off).

❌ Avoid in rangebound sessions or when the level has been tapped multiple times. That often leads to breakout fakeouts or liquidity grabs before reversing. Also avoid when liquidity is thin, such as pre-session or weekend hours in crypto, where S/R breaks often lack conviction.

Recap

Final thoughts

Ultimately, no MACD setting is perfect on its own (they’re tools, not crystal balls). The sweet spot lies in testing a few of these combinations on your specific asset and trading hours, and combining them with contextual confirmation, which MC² Finance excels in providing.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 1-minute chart profitable?

Yes, a 1-minute chart can be profitable, but only if you're highly disciplined, have tight risk management, and use tools that filter out market noise. Most pros use 1-minute charts for scalping, grabbing quick trades during high-volume sessions (like London or New York opens). The key isn't just the timeframe, but how you use it: without structure and confirmation (like MACD + RSI or volume spikes), it's easy to get caught in fake moves.

Which indicator is faster than MACD?

The Stochastic Oscillator and RSI are generally faster than MACD because they measure momentum directly based on recent price closes, not smoothed moving averages. For ultra-quick signals, Stochastic RSI is even more responsive than both. However, being faster doesn’t always mean better; MACD gives cleaner signals with less noise, while ultra-fast indicators might fire too often in choppy markets.

What does a good MACD look like?

A “good” MACD setup shows the MACD line crossing above the signal line with a rising histogram (for buy setups), especially when price is bouncing off support or breaking out. Ideally, this happens with volume increasing and/or RSI confirming momentum. On the chart, it should be smooth and well-aligned with price action, not flipping rapidly or signaling in the middle of consolidation. Clean structure, strong slope, and a clear trend = a MACD worth acting on.