ExpertCodeFX

Broker setup guide

Finding the correct
XAUUSD symbol

Gold can have a different symbol name and different contract specifications at every broker. An EA or cBot must use the exact symbol shown in that trading account.

XAUUSD chart with an automated trading panel

Common names

XAUUSD is not always called XAUUSD

Examples include XAUUSD, XAUUSD.P, XAUUSDp, XAUUSD.a, XAUUSDm and GOLD. Capitalisation and punctuation matter. Use the exact name visible in Market Watch or the platform's symbol list.

StandardXAUUSDCommon base symbol
Suffix examples.P, p, .a, mBroker account or execution variants
AlternativeGOLDUsed by some brokers
RuleExact matchCopy the platform symbol precisely

Five checks before testing

Symbol name alone is not enough

  1. 01

    Contract size

    Check how many ounces one lot represents. The same lot number can produce very different exposure if contract specifications differ.

  2. 02

    Digits and tick size

    Confirm how the broker quotes gold and the smallest permitted price movement.

  3. 03

    Spread and commission

    Use realistic costs in backtests and watch how spread changes around news and rollover.

  4. 04

    Minimum lot and step

    Make sure the requested volume can be normalized to the broker's allowed minimum and increment.

  5. 05

    Trading hours and server time

    Broker sessions and daily reset times can change time filters, swaps and daily-risk calculations.

Important

Always verify specifications inside the exact account you will use. Demo, standard, raw-spread and prop accounts from the same broker may expose different symbol names or contract settings.