Lot size formulas · Pip value tables · 1% and 2% risk tables for $1K–$100K accounts
Practice with Live Position Sizing →Four inputs before lot size
CHECK 23A position-sizing reference is only as accurate as its instrument specification and currency conversion. Confirm the trading venue rather than assuming every forex pair, metal, or index uses a standard contract.
Round down to an executable size and recalculate the actual risk.
Example: $10,000 account, 1% risk, 20 pip SL, EURUSD (pip value = $10/lot standard)
→ Risk amount = $100 → Lot size = 100 ÷ (20 × 10) = 0.5 lots
For XAUUSD (Gold): pip value per standard lot ≈ $10/pip but tick size = $0.01. Use: Lot Size = Risk Amount ÷ (SL in points × $10). With 200 point SL and $100 risk: 100 ÷ (200 × 0.1) = 0.5 lots.
| Pair | Standard Lot (1.0) | Mini Lot (0.1) | Micro Lot (0.01) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | $10.00/pip | $1.00/pip | $0.10/pip | Base currency EUR — pip value in USD |
| GBPUSD | $10.00/pip | $1.00/pip | $0.10/pip | 1 pip = 0.0001, 5th decimal on MT4/5 |
| AUDUSD | $10.00/pip | $1.00/pip | $0.10/pip | Fixed when USD is quote currency |
| NZDUSD | $10.00/pip | $1.00/pip | $0.10/pip | Fixed when USD is quote currency |
| USDJPY | ~$9.10/pip | ~$0.91/pip | ~$0.09/pip | Varies with USD/JPY rate. 1 pip = 0.01 |
| USDCAD | ~$7.60/pip | ~$0.76/pip | ~$0.076/pip | Varies with USD/CAD rate |
| USDCHF | ~$11.10/pip | ~$1.11/pip | ~$0.11/pip | Varies with CHF/USD cross rate |
| GBPJPY | ~$9.10/pip | ~$0.91/pip | ~$0.09/pip | Cross pair — pip value in JPY, converted |
| EURJPY | ~$9.10/pip | ~$0.91/pip | ~$0.09/pip | Varies — check broker's pip value tool |
| XAUUSD (Gold) | $10.00/point | $1.00/point | $0.10/point | 1 point = $0.01 move. 100 points = ~$1 move |
| Account Size | 1% Risk ($) | 20 pip SL → Lots | 30 pip SL → Lots | 50 pip SL → Lots | 100 pip SL → Lots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $10 | 0.05 lots | 0.033 lots | 0.02 lots | 0.01 lots |
| $2,500 | $25 | 0.125 lots | 0.083 lots | 0.05 lots | 0.025 lots |
| $5,000 | $50 | 0.25 lots | 0.167 lots | 0.10 lots | 0.05 lots |
| $10,000 | $100 | 0.50 lots | 0.33 lots | 0.20 lots | 0.10 lots |
| $25,000 | $250 | 1.25 lots | 0.83 lots | 0.50 lots | 0.25 lots |
| $50,000 | $500 | 2.50 lots | 1.67 lots | 1.00 lot | 0.50 lots |
| $100,000 | $1,000 | 5.00 lots | 3.33 lots | 2.00 lots | 1.00 lot |
Based on EURUSD/GBPUSD with $10/pip per standard lot. XAUUSD and JPY pairs: recalculate using actual pip values above.
| Account Size | 2% Risk ($) | 20 pip SL → Lots | 30 pip SL → Lots | 50 pip SL → Lots | 100 pip SL → Lots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $20 | 0.10 lots | 0.067 lots | 0.04 lots | 0.02 lots |
| $2,500 | $50 | 0.25 lots | 0.167 lots | 0.10 lots | 0.05 lots |
| $5,000 | $100 | 0.50 lots | 0.33 lots | 0.20 lots | 0.10 lots |
| $10,000 | $200 | 1.00 lot | 0.67 lots | 0.40 lots | 0.20 lots |
| $25,000 | $500 | 2.50 lots | 1.67 lots | 1.00 lot | 0.50 lots |
| $50,000 | $1,000 | 5.00 lots | 3.33 lots | 2.00 lots | 1.00 lot |
| $100,000 | $2,000 | 10.00 lots | 6.67 lots | 4.00 lots | 2.00 lots |
| Scenario | Recommended Risk % | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Live account, learning phase | 0.5% | Learning is expensive — minimize cost of education |
| Live account, established strategy | 1% | Industry standard. Survives 20 consecutive losses before 20% drawdown |
| Prop firm challenge | 0.5%–1% | Preserves daily loss limit headroom for 5–10 bad trades |
| Prop firm funded account | 1%–2% | Larger buffer with scale-up programs rewards consistent sizing |
| Backtesting (learning edge) | N/A (track in pips) | Pip results matter for testing edge — dollar amounts mislead during learning |
| High-conviction trade | Max 2% | Never exceed 2% even with "certainty" — market doesn't care about conviction |
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