What Is a Lot in Trading? Stocks and Forex Lot Sizes Explained
Sometimes you can't buy just one share — only a bundle. Here's what a lot is in the stock market and in forex, and why your risk depends on lot size.
What it is
A lot is the minimum amount of an asset you can buy or sell. On the Moscow Exchange, each stock has its own lot size: for some it's 1 share, for others 10 or 1,000. The price in the app is usually shown per share, but you can only buy a whole number of lots.
Lots in forex
| Lot | Size | Pip value (EUR/USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 100,000 units of currency | about $10 |
| Mini | 10,000 | about $1 |
| Micro | 1,000 | about $0.10 |
The bigger the lot, the more each price move costs. We cover pips in a separate article.
How to choose position size
Size is calculated from your stop-loss, not by eye: how much you're willing to lose if the stop is hit. The formula is in our article on how to calculate position size.
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- A lot is the minimum amount for a trade.
- In forex, a standard lot is 100,000 units of currency.
- Size is calculated from your stop and acceptable risk.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a stock cost 150 rubles, but I can't buy it for 150?
Most likely, the lot contains 10 or more shares. Then the minimum purchase is 1,500 rubles or more.
Can I trade fractions of a lot?
In the stock market, usually not. In forex and crypto, you can often set a fractional size, for example 0.01 lot.
What lot size should a beginner choose?
The smallest one available while you're learning. The key is that the loss if your stop is hit should be a small part of your account.
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