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Position Size Calculator

What this tool does

The Position Size Calculator answers the most important question in risk management: how big should this trade be? You tell it your account balance, the percentage of your account you are willing to risk on one trade, and the distance to your stop-loss in pips. It then calculates the position size (in lots or units) that keeps your loss within that risk limit if the stop-loss is hit.

Professional traders rarely risk more than 1–2% of their account on a single trade. This tool makes that discipline automatic — instead of picking a lot size that "feels right," you let your risk tolerance decide. It does not predict whether the trade will win or lose; it simply keeps one bad trade from doing serious damage to your account.

How to use it

  1. Enter your account balance in your account currency.
  2. Set your risk per trade as a percentage (many traders use 1% or 2%).
  3. Enter your stop-loss distance in pips, based on your chart analysis.
  4. Select the currency pair so the calculator can work out the pip value.
  5. The tool returns the position size in lots and units that matches your risk.
  6. Round down, not up — it is always safer to risk slightly less than your target.

Frequently asked questions

What risk percentage should I use?

There is no universal answer, but 1–2% per trade is a common starting point among experienced traders. Higher percentages grow losses faster than most beginners expect, so start small while you learn.

What if I don't know where to put my stop-loss?

Then this calculator can't help you yet. A stop-loss should come from your analysis — a support or resistance level, a chart pattern, or a volatility measure — not from this tool. Decide the stop first, then size the position.

Can I use the same position size for every trade?

No. Different pairs have different pip values and volatility, and your stop-loss distance will change from trade to trade. Recalculate the position size for each new trade.

Risk disclaimer: This calculator is for education only. Trading forex and CFDs carries substantial risk. Not financial advice.

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