What is the best MACD setting?

LearnApr 30, 2026
Timothy Cahill
What is the best MACD setting?

The best MACD setting is the standard 12, 26, 9, which balances sensitivity with reliability across most timeframes and assets.

When it comes to MACD settings for day trading, sticking with the defaults of 12, 26, and 9 has been tested for decades and continues to work today.

Day traders sometimes drop to 8,17,9 for 5-minute to 15-minute charts and 5,13,8 for scalping.

The "best" setting matches your timeframe and trading style, and defaults work partly because every other trader is reading them too.

Start Your Trading Journal Today

Track every trade, analyze your performance, and become a better trader.