Recently, many people have asked me about MACD parameters, especially how to set the optimal MACD settings. To be honest, when I first started trading, I was also troubled by this question. Later, I realized that there is no absolute best parameter; the key is to find settings that suit your trading style.

Let's first talk about the standard optimal MACD parameter combination. Most trading platforms default to 12-26-9 parameters, which indeed have their advantages. The fast line EMA (12) can reflect short-term momentum, the slow line EMA (26) captures long-term trends, and the signal line EMA (9) is used to filter out noise. This set of parameters is so widely used because it’s common in the market, creating a consensus effect that attracts more investors’ attention at key signals.

But this doesn’t mean 12-26-9 is the best solution. I’ve tried many combinations myself. For example, the 5-35-5 parameters respond much faster, making them especially suitable for short-term traders or highly volatile markets. Last year, I backtested Bitcoin’s daily data from January to June 2025 using the 5-35-5 parameters. The signals appeared more frequently—13 clear signals in half a year—compared to only 7 with 12-26-9. However, there’s a problem: the more sensitive MACD parameters generate more noise. Sometimes signals come quickly and disappear just as fast, which can compress profit margins.

I’ve compiled several commonly used MACD parameter combinations for your reference. The 8-17-9 is suitable for 1-hour forex charts or markets with larger fluctuations, responding faster but also generating more noise. If you prefer medium- to long-term swing trading, 19-39-9 can effectively filter out most noise and offer greater stability. Long-term investors might try 24-52-18; this set responds the slowest but shows the clearest trends, making it suitable for weekly or monthly charts.

Regarding adjusting MACD parameters for the best results, there’s a common pitfall to avoid: overfitting. Many people, during backtesting, try to fine-tune parameters to perfectly fit past market data. While this makes the backtest look impressive, it often leads to poor real-world performance. I’ve seen many fall into this trap, tuning their parameters into garbage.

The correct approach is to select one set of MACD parameters and observe its performance over the long term within your trading logic. Beginners are advised to start with the default 12-26-9, gradually becoming familiar with it, then adjusting based on your time frame and trading habits. If you notice a particular set isn’t performing well recently, you can try slight tweaks, but avoid frequent changes, as that can make MACD a stumbling block rather than a helpful tool.

Someone asked if it’s possible to use multiple MACD settings simultaneously. Yes, it’s possible. Some traders monitor two MACDs at once to filter out noise, but this also increases the number of signals, making crossovers more frequent and requiring stronger decision-making skills.

Ultimately, there’s no standard answer for the best MACD parameters. It depends on your trading habits, time frame, and market characteristics. Instead of obsessing over finding the perfect parameters, it’s better to pick one set and spend time backtesting and reviewing whether it truly fits your strategy. Markets are constantly changing, and parameter adjustments should be flexible, but only if you truly understand the logic behind each set of MACD parameters, rather than blindly following trends.