Can you run multiple Expert Advisors on one account? Magic numbers explained

By Benjamin Lee · Published 2026-10-11 · 1 min read

You can run more than one EA on a single account, but they share the same balance and margin. This guide explains how EAs tell their trades apart and how to avoid conflicts.

One EA per chart

Each EA is attached to its own chart. To run two EAs you open two charts, even if they trade the same symbol, and attach one EA to each. A single chart can hold only one EA at a time.

What a magic number is

The magic number is an ID an EA stamps on every order it places. The EA uses it to recognise its own trades and ignore everyone else's. Two copies of the same EA on one account must have different magic numbers, otherwise they can manage each other's positions.

Hedging versus netting

On a hedging account each EA keeps its own positions. On a netting account trades on the same symbol are merged into one position, so two EAs on the same symbol can interfere with each other. Check your account type before running several EAs on one symbol.

Margin and combined risk

Every EA draws on the same free margin, and their drawdowns can overlap. Size each EA with the combined exposure in mind, not as if it were alone on the account.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a different magic number for each EA?

Different EAs usually have their own default magic numbers, but two copies of the same EA must be given different ones.

Can two EAs trade the same symbol?

Yes on a hedging account, with different magic numbers. On a netting account positions merge, so avoid it.

Where do I set the magic number?

In the EA's Inputs tab when you attach it. The input is usually called Magic Number or MagicNumber.

Trading foreign exchange, gold and CFDs carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance, backtests and live results do not guarantee future returns. This guide is general education, not financial advice.

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