Position sizing
Forex Lot Size Calculator
Work out the position size that matches your account balance, planned risk, entry price, and stop loss. This is useful for EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, gold, and silver trades.
Trading involves risk. Calculator results are estimates based on the values you enter; spreads, commissions, swaps, slippage, contract specs, and broker execution can change the real outcome.
Forex Lot Size Calculator
Suggested position size
0.100 lots
Use the result as a planning number, then check broker minimum lot size, spread, and slippage.
Compare brokersWhat the calculator answers
The calculator answers one practical question: if this trade hits the stop loss, what lot size keeps the loss close to the amount you planned?
It does not decide whether the trade is good. It only connects the chart to the account. A wide stop usually means a smaller position. A tight stop can allow a larger position, but only if the stop is placed for a real market reason.
Example
| Input | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Account balance | $10,000 | The size of the account you are protecting |
| Risk per trade | 1% | $100 planned loss if the stop is hit |
| XAUUSD entry / stop | 2350 / 2340 | A 100-pip gold stop using the calculator assumptions |
| Suggested size | 0.10 lots | Keeps the planned risk close to $100 before costs |
Checks before using the result
Confirm your broker contract size, minimum lot increment, average spread, commission, and stop distance rules. Gold and silver symbols are especially important because contract specifications can differ by broker.
If the calculated lot size is smaller than your broker allows, the trade may be too large for the account at that stop distance. Do not solve that by removing the stop or increasing risk.
Lot size formula
The basic idea is simple: planned money risk divided by stop distance and pip or point value. The calculator does that arithmetic for common forex, gold, and silver symbols, but your broker contract specification is still the final reference.
A wider stop should usually produce a smaller lot size. A tighter stop can produce a larger lot size, but only when the stop is placed where the trade idea is genuinely wrong.
When to use a lot size calculator
| Situation | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Before placing a manual trade | Turns planned account risk into a position size before emotion gets involved |
| Before trading XAUUSD | Makes gold contract size, stop distance, and money risk easier to compare |
| Before copying a strategy | Helps you understand whether the strategy drawdown fits your account allocation |
| After changing account balance | Keeps risk proportional instead of reusing an old lot size |
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not choose the lot size first and then move the stop to make the number feel comfortable. The stop belongs where the trade idea is wrong.
- Do not assume XAUUSD, EURUSD, GBPUSD, and USDJPY all behave the same at the same lot size. Contract specifications and pip values differ.
- Do not ignore spread, commission, swaps, and slippage. The calculator result is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed fill or final loss.
FAQ
What is lot size in forex?
Lot size is the position size of a trade. It controls how much each pip or point movement is worth in your account.
Can I use this calculator for XAUUSD?
Yes, but check your broker contract size, minimum lot, spread, and margin rules because gold specifications can vary by broker.
Is 1% risk per trade safe?
One percent is a common planning limit, but it is not automatically safe. Your stop distance, strategy drawdown, leverage, and account size still matter.
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