Free trading tool
Forex Position Size Calculator
Work out the exact lot size for any pair, metal, index or crypto so a stop-loss hit costs no more than the percentage of your account you decided to risk.
Calculate your lot size
Fill in your account balance, risk % and stop loss, then press Calculate to see your lot size and results.
How position sizing works
The formula is simple: lot size = (balance × risk %) ÷ (stop in pips × pip value per lot). Position size — not leverage, not the entry signal — decides how much a losing trade costs you. Size the trade to the stop; never shrink the stop to fit the size you wanted.
Example: a USD 1,000.00 account risking 1% over a 30-pip EURUSD stop risks $10, and one standard lot moves about $10 per pip — so the correct size is roughly 0.03 lots.
Read the full Risk Management lessonRelated calculators
- Pip value calculator — what one pip is worth on your position.
- Profit / loss calculator — what a trade made or lost.
- Risk-to-reward lesson — pair your size with a target worth taking.
- Stop loss & take profit lesson — where the stop belongs before you size.
- Danipips Trading Academy — free beginner-to-advanced course.
Worked examples by account size
The same 1% rule produces very different lot sizes depending on balance, instrument and stop distance. These examples use standard contract sizes and a USD account.
| Balance | Instrument | Stop | Cash at risk (1%) | Lot size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | EURUSD | 20 pips | $5 | 0.02 lots |
| $1,000 | EURUSD | 30 pips | $10 | 0.03 lots |
| $1,000 | XAUUSD (gold) | 300 pips ($3.00) | $10 | 0.03 lots |
| $5,000 | GBPUSD | 50 pips | $50 | 0.10 lots |
| $10,000 | USDJPY | 40 pips | $100 | 0.25 lots |
| $25,000 | US500 | 25 points | $250 | 1.00 lots |
Figures are rounded down to the nearest 0.01 lot and assume no commission. Run your own numbers in the calculator above before trading.
Shrinking the stop to fit the size
If the lot size looks too small, the answer is a smaller position — not a tighter stop. A stop placed to suit your size instead of the chart gets hit by ordinary noise.
Ignoring spread and commission
Your effective stop is the chart distance plus the spread. On tight intraday stops that can add 10–20% to the real risk, so size using the wider figure.
Sizing off equity you don't have
Use the balance you can actually lose, not the account plus a planned deposit. Risk percentage only works when the base number is honest.
Position sizing FAQ
How do you calculate position size in forex?
Divide the cash you are willing to risk (account balance × risk %) by the stop-loss distance in pips multiplied by the pip value of one lot. The result is your lot size, which you then round down.
What percentage should I risk per trade?
Most beginners are best served by risking 0.5–1% of the account per trade, and never more than 2%. At 1% risk, six losing trades in a row costs roughly 6% of the account rather than wiping it out.
What lot size should I use with a $100 account?
With $100 risking 1% ($1) over a 30-pip stop on EURUSD, the mathematically correct size is about 0.003 lots — below the 0.01 micro-lot minimum most brokers allow. Either use a tighter stop, a cent account, or practise on a demo until the balance supports proper sizing.
Does position size change with leverage?
No. Leverage only affects the margin required to open the trade. The amount you lose if the stop is hit depends on lot size and stop distance, which is what this calculator solves for.
How is position size different for gold (XAUUSD)?
Gold is quoted with a 0.01 pip size and one standard lot is 100 ounces, so a single pip is worth about $1 per lot instead of $10. A 300-pip ($3.00) gold stop therefore behaves like a 30-pip EURUSD stop in cash terms, which is why the instrument selector matters.
Should I round the lot size up or down?
Always round down to the nearest step your broker allows, usually 0.01 lots. Rounding up pushes the cash at risk above the percentage you chose, and over many trades that drift is what turns a controlled drawdown into an uncontrolled one.
How do I size a position when my account currency is not USD?
Calculate the risk in your account currency first, then convert the instrument's pip value into that currency before dividing. This calculator does the conversion for you when you pick your account currency, using indicative rates — confirm the final figure in your platform.
Practise sizing with no money at risk
Run these lot sizes on a free Exness demo account first. Same platform, same prices — the fastest way to make position sizing a habit before it costs you anything.
Results are estimates for education only. Conversion rates used for non-USD account currencies are indicative, and your broker's contract sizes, swaps and commissions may differ. Always confirm figures in your trading platform before placing a trade.