Position Size Calculator: How Much to Buy at 1–2% Risk
Enter your account balance, acceptable risk, entry and stop-loss levels — the calculator shows how big a position to open so that if the stop is hit, you lose exactly the amount you decided on in advance.
Calculated from your inputs. This is not a forecast, not a promise of returns and not investment advice. Real trading results can be anything, including a loss.
How to use it
- Account balance — how much money is in your trading account.
- Risk per trade — what percentage of your account you’re willing to lose if you turn out to be wrong. Usually 1–2%.
- Entry and stop-loss — levels from your trade plan or from a signal. The stop is placed based on the chart — beyond a level, not “by the dollar amount.”
Why calculate it this way
Professionals first decide how much they’re willing to lose, and only then work out the position size. That way the loss on any trade is the same, and a losing streak doesn’t knock you out of the market. Full details with examples in the article how to calculate position size and the free lesson risk management and diversification.
Aspiro Trade — signals on 45 assets, each with an entry, take-profit and stop-loss included. First month free.
- Risk first, size second.
- 1–2% risk is your loss at the stop, not the amount you buy.
- A stop-loss is mandatory in every trade.
FAQ
How do I calculate position size?
Multiply your account balance by your acceptable risk in percent and divide by the distance to the stop-loss in percent. For example, $1000 × 1% ÷ 5% = $200.
What risk per trade should I choose?
Usually 1–2% of your account. That’s the amount you lose if the stop is hit, not the amount you buy.
What if the position comes out larger than my account?
It means your stop is too close. It’s better to find an entry with a different stop or lower your risk than to add leverage.
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