How do you work out lot size?

Lot size = the money you risk ÷ (stop-loss in pips × pip value). On gold, one lot is $10 per pip, so risking $50 with an 80-pip stop gives 0.0625 lot. Round down to 0.06 lot.

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Lot Size Calculator

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Account currency

Instrument

Account currency

Direction

Buy (long)Sell (short)

Account balance

Risk per trade (%)

Position size (lots)

Entry price

Stop-loss price

Exit price

Current priceOnly used to convert currencies when your account currency is the pair's base currency.

Costs (commission + swap, in account currency)

Leverage (1 : N)

Current equity

Daily minimum-equity floorFrom your prop firm dashboard for today

Overall minimum-equity floorMax-loss level from your dashboard

Starting balance

Assumed return per period (%)

Number of periodse.g. 12 months

Deposit at end of each period

Broker settings

Contract size (units per lot)

Pip size

Lot stepSmallest lot increment your broker allows (usually 0.01)

Result

–

How this is calculated

Results are estimates for education only and are not financial advice. Contract sizes, pip conventions, margin rules and costs vary by broker and account — check your platform's contract specification before trading.

Worked example: gold lot size

Account: $5,000. Risk: 1%, which is $50.
Stop-loss: 80 pips (8.00 of price).
Lot size: 50 ÷ (80 × $10) = 0.0625, rounded down to 0.06 lot.
Check: 0.06 lot is $0.60 per pip, and 80 × $0.60 = $48 of risk.

Lot size calculator FAQ

Why round the lot size down?

Rounding up risks more than the amount you chose. At 0.07 lot the same 80-pip stop risks $56 instead of $50.

What risk per trade should I use?

That is your decision. The calculator only turns the risk you choose into a lot size.

Does this work for pairs like EUR/USD?

Yes. On most USD-quoted pairs one standard lot is about $10 per pip. For other pairs, enter your broker pip value.

Why is my lot size smaller than I expected?

A wider stop-loss means a smaller lot size for the same risk.

New to position sizing? Read the full guide: Lot Size in Forex. To check what each pip is worth, use the Gold (XAUUSD) & Forex Pip Calculator.

Trading forex and gold involves a high risk of loss. Past results do not guarantee future results.

About this tool

What the lot size calculator does

This free lot size calculator tells you how many lots to trade so a stop-loss hit costs exactly what you chose to risk. It works for gold (XAUUSD), silver and major forex pairs, and rounds down so you never risk more than planned.

Enter balance and riskMost traders risk 0.5–2% of the account per trade.
Add entry and stop lossThe distance between them sets how much each lot would lose.
Use the lot sizeCopy the rounded result into your trading platform.

FAQ

Lot size calculator FAQs

How do I calculate lot size in forex?

Risk amount = balance × risk %. Loss per lot = stop distance × contract size (converted into your account currency if needed). Lot size = risk amount ÷ loss per lot, rounded down to your broker’s lot step.

What lot size should I use on a $100 account?

At 1% risk you can lose $1 per trade. On gold, 0.01 lots loses about $1 for every $1 the price moves, so your stop could be no wider than about $1. With wider stops, even the minimum 0.01 lot risks more than 1%.

How does lot size work for gold (XAUUSD)?

One standard gold lot is usually 100 ounces, so a $1 price move is worth $100 per lot, or $1 on 0.01 lots. If your broker uses a different contract size, change it under Broker settings. For a full worked example, see how to calculate lot size for gold.

Why does the calculator round down?

Rounding up would put you slightly above your planned risk. Rounding down to the lot step keeps the real risk at or below your budget.

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