The short answer
On MT4 and MT5 gold is usually called XAUUSD, sometimes GOLD, often with a broker suffix such as XAUUSD.m, XAUUSDm, XAUUSD.pro or XAUUSD+ that marks your account type. On TradingView the common gold symbols are TVC:GOLD (spot gold quote), COMEX:GC1! (front-month gold futures) and COMEX:MGC1! (micro gold futures), plus your broker’s own feed, shown as BROKER:XAUUSD.
The quickest way to find yours: in MT5 press Ctrl+U and search XAU (in MT4, open the metals folder in the same window); on TradingView search XAUUSD or gold and check the prefix.
Every common gold symbol, explained
| Symbol | Where you see it | What it is | Contract size (usual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XAUUSD | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView broker feeds | Spot gold vs US dollar | 1 lot = 100 oz |
| GOLD | MT4, MT5 at some brokers | Usually spot gold; sometimes a futures-based CFD | Check specification |
| XAUUSD.m / XAUUSDm / XAUUSD.pro / XAUUSD+ / XAUUSD.r | MT4, MT5 | Spot gold for a specific account type | Check specification |
| GOLD.Dec or similar | Some brokers | Gold CFD based on a futures month, with expiry | Check specification |
| XAUEUR, XAUGBP, XAUAUD… | Some brokers | Gold priced in other currencies | 100 oz typical |
| TVC:GOLD | TradingView | A data provider’s spot gold quote (chart only) | n/a |
| COMEX:GC1! | TradingView, futures platforms | Front-month COMEX gold futures | 100 oz |
| COMEX:MGC1! | TradingView, futures platforms | Micro gold futures | 10 oz |
XAU is the ISO currency code for one troy ounce of gold, and USD is the US dollar, so XAUUSD = 4,000 means one ounce costs $4,000. Our what is XAUUSD guide covers the basics, and how much is 1 lot of gold explains contract sizes.
Never assume the contract size. Most brokers use 100 oz per lot for XAUUSD, but some micro or cent accounts and some “GOLD” symbols use different sizes. A wrong assumption can make a trade ten or a hundred times bigger than you meant. Check the specification and use the gold pip calculator before trading.
How to find gold in each platform
MT4 and MT5 desktop
- Open Market Watch (Ctrl+M).
- Right-click inside it → Symbols (or press Ctrl+U).
- In MT5, type XAU in the search box. In MT4, open the folder your broker uses for metals or commodities (names vary, e.g. Metals, Spot Metals). You’ll see every gold symbol your broker offers.
- Pick the one with the suffix that matches your account, then click Show Symbol (MT5) or Show (MT4).
- Right-click it in Market Watch → Specification to confirm contract size, minimum lot, trade mode and trading hours.
If nothing appears, see how to add gold to MT4 and MT5.
MT4 and MT5 mobile
Go to the Quotes tab, tap + (Android) or the edit icon then + (iPhone), search XAU or gold, and tap the symbol to add it.
cTrader
Use the search box in the Watchlist or the New Order window and type XAU. cTrader shows the symbol name the broker uses, often XAUUSD.
TradingView
- Click the symbol name at the top left of the chart.
- Type XAUUSD or gold.
- Use the filters: Futures for COMEX:GC1! and COMEX:MGC1!, CFD or Forex for spot feeds such as TVC:GOLD and broker feeds.
- If you trade through a broker that has a TradingView feed, choose its version (BROKER:XAUUSD) so your chart matches your fills.
Which symbol should you chart?
- To trade spot XAUUSD with a broker: chart your broker’s own feed. Second choice: a spot feed such as TVC:GOLD.
- To trade COMEX futures: chart the exact contract month you trade, not just GC1!, because GC1! rolls to the next month.
- To study exchange volume: use COMEX:GC1!, because spot feeds only have tick volume.
Futures trade above spot because of carrying costs, so levels drawn on GC1! won’t match XAUUSD exactly. See why the gold price is different on my broker and TradingView and spot gold vs gold futures.
Standard, micro and futures sizes compared
The name tells you which market; the contract size tells you what a $1 move is worth. These are the usual sizes, but always confirm in your platform’s specification.
| Instrument | Typical contract | Value of a $1 move per contract or lot |
|---|---|---|
| XAUUSD, 1.00 lot | 100 oz | $100 |
| XAUUSD, 0.10 lot | 10 oz | $10 |
| XAUUSD, 0.01 lot | 1 oz | $1 |
| COMEX gold futures (GC) | 100 oz | $100 |
| COMEX micro gold futures (MGC) | 10 oz | $10 |
Illustrative example: gold moves $25 against you. On 0.01 lot of XAUUSD you lose $25; on one micro futures contract you lose $250; on one full GC contract or 1.00 lot you lose $2,500. Futures also trade in fixed contracts, so the smallest futures position is far bigger than the smallest spot CFD position. Our guide to gold futures vs CFD mechanics explains margin, expiry and rolls.
Cent accounts, where they exist, show balances in cents, so the numbers on screen look 100 times bigger than the money involved. If profits and losses look strange after you switch account type, check the account currency and the contract size before anything else.
Common symbol problems and quick fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gold not in Market Watch | Symbol hidden | Ctrl+U, search XAU, Show |
| Several gold symbols | Different account types or currencies | Use the suffix that matches your account |
| “Trade disabled” on gold | Wrong suffix for your account, or gold not allowed on this account | Check Specification → Trade mode; ask your broker |
| Price far from other charts | It’s futures or a futures-based CFD | Check the specification and instrument type |
| Profit numbers look 100x off | Different contract size | Check Contract size in Specification |
More error fixes are in MT5 gold errors: invalid volume, market closed and more.
How to avoid symbol mistakes
- Write your exact gold symbol and contract size in your trading plan.
- Before your first live trade on a new account, place a 0.01 lot trade on demo and check the profit per $1 move.
- Size with the position size calculator and confirm margin with the gold margin calculator.
More quick fixes are in gold trading problems solved.
Get your setup checked
New to MT5 or TradingView? Traders in the XAUUSD Global community help each other with platform setup and symbol questions every day. The first month is free, then $19.99 a month.
Educational content only, not financial advice. Trading gold with leverage carries a high risk of loss. Symbol names vary by broker; always check your platform’s specification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol for gold on MT4 and MT5?
Usually XAUUSD, which means one troy ounce of gold priced in US dollars. Some brokers call it GOLD, and many add a suffix that marks the account type, such as XAUUSD.m, XAUUSDm, XAUUSD.pro or XAUUSD+. Search ‘XAU’ in the MT5 Symbols window (or open the metals folder in MT4) to see every version your broker offers.
What does the suffix after XAUUSD mean?
It is the broker’s label for an account type or contract version, for example a micro, standard, raw-spread or pro account. The suffix you can trade must match your account. Symbols with other suffixes are often visible but show ‘trade disabled’ or ‘market closed’ if you try to use them.
What is the gold symbol on TradingView?
Common choices are TVC:GOLD (a spot gold quote from a data provider), COMEX:GC1! (the front-month COMEX gold futures contract) and COMEX:MGC1! (micro gold futures, 10 ounces). Many brokers also publish their own feed in the form BROKER:XAUUSD.
Is GOLD the same as XAUUSD?
Usually, but not always. On many platforms GOLD is just another name for spot gold in dollars. At some brokers GOLD is a CFD based on a futures contract, with different prices, contract size or an expiry date. Open the symbol’s Specification to check.
What does GC1! mean?
GC is the COMEX gold futures contract (100 troy ounces) and ‘1!’ means the continuous front-month contract, which rolls to the next month as each one nears expiry. GC2! is the second month. MGC is the 10-ounce micro contract.
What is XAUEUR or XAUGBP?
Gold priced in euros or pounds instead of dollars. Some brokers list gold against several currencies. XAUUSD has the most liquidity and usually the tightest spread.
Sources and further reading
- CME Group — Gold futures overview — Contract specifications and trading hours for COMEX gold
- MetaTrader 5 Help — Trading operations: basic principles — Order types, and which price (bid or ask) triggers each order and stop
- LBMA — Precious Metal Prices — The LBMA Gold Price benchmark set in London
External sites are independent of XAUUSD Global. Check dates and data yourself.