Position size and lot size calculator
By Broksal Team, investing in forex and CFD markets since 2017. Updated . How we test
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Default prices and exchange rates: XTB xStation 5 and IQ Option quotes, 6 October 2026 (6 October 2026). Enter current prices for an exact result.
Position size decides how much you lose when your stop-loss is hit. Instead of picking a lot size at random, decide how much of your account you are willing to lose on one trade, set the stop-loss where the trade idea is wrong, and let the size follow from those two numbers.
How it is calculated
The lot size is the amount you are willing to risk divided by what the stop-loss costs per lot.
Risk amount = balance × risk %Lots = risk amount ÷ (stop-loss in pips × pip value per lot)Worked example
With a 10,000 USD account, 1% risk and a 20-pip stop on EUR/USD: the risk is 100.00 USD, one lot loses $200 over 20 pips, so the position is 0.50 lots.
Frequently asked questions
What lot size should I use for a $1,000 account?
It depends on your stop-loss. Risking 1% ($10) with a 20-pip stop on EUR/USD gives 0.05 lots; with a 50-pip stop, 0.02 lots.
How much should I risk per trade?
Many traders cap risk at 1–2% of the account per trade, so a run of losses does not empty the account. That is a convention, not a guarantee: most retail CFD accounts still lose money.
What is the difference between a standard, mini and micro lot?
A standard lot is 100,000 units of the base currency, a mini lot 10,000 (0.10) and a micro lot 1,000 (0.01).
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Each broker publishes its own current loss percentage on its website.