LOT SIZE CALCULATOR

Calculate your optimal position size based on risk

Risk Amount
$100.00
Pip Value
$2.00
Lot Size
0.20

How Lot Size Actually Works

Most traders never truly understand what their lot size controls. This guide breaks it down clearly so you know exactly how price movement affects your account.

Gold (XAUUSD)

Think of gold like owning shares (ounces).

0.01 Lot

  • Controls: 1 share (1 ounce) of gold
  • $1 move in gold = $1 gain/loss
  • $10 move = $10
  • $100 move = $100

If gold moves from $2,000 to $2,001, your balance changes $1.

0.10 Lot

  • Controls: 10 shares (10 ounces)
  • $1 move = $10
  • $10 move = $100
  • $100 move = $1,000

1.00 Lot

  • Controls: 100 shares (100 ounces)
  • $1 move = $100
  • $10 move = $1,000
  • $100 move = $10,000

Bitcoin (BTCUSD)

Assuming 1.0 lot = 1 BTC (confirm with your broker).

0.01 Lot

  • Controls: 0.01 BTC
  • $1 move = $0.01
  • $100 move = $1
  • $1,000 move = $10

0.10 Lot

  • Controls: 0.10 BTC
  • $1 move = $0.10
  • $100 move = $10
  • $1,000 move = $100

1.00 Lot

  • Controls: 1 BTC
  • $1 move = $1
  • $100 move = $100
  • $1,000 move = $1,000

Forex Major Pairs

For most USD-based pairs, pip value follows this structure:

  • 1.00 Lot = ~$10 per pip
  • 0.10 Lot = ~$1 per pip
  • 0.01 Lot = ~$0.10 per pip

EURUSD Example

1.00 Lot
  • 1 pip ≈ $10
  • 10 pips ≈ $100
  • 100 pips ≈ $1,000
0.10 Lot
  • 1 pip ≈ $1
0.01 Lot
  • 1 pip ≈ $0.10

GBPUSD, AUDUSD, and NZDUSD follow the same pip structure.

USDJPY (Different Pip Calculation)

JPY pairs calculate pip value slightly differently. Pip value changes based on price.

At price ~150.00:

1.00 Lot
  • 1 pip ≈ $6–$7
0.10 Lot
  • 1 pip ≈ $0.60–$0.70
0.01 Lot
  • 1 pip ≈ $0.06–$0.07

USDCAD & USDCHF

  • 1.00 Lot ≈ $10 per pip
  • 0.10 Lot ≈ $1 per pip
  • 0.01 Lot ≈ $0.10 per pip

Summary Table

Asset0.01 Lot0.10 Lot1.00 Lot
Gold$1 per $1 move$10 per $1 move$100 per $1 move
BTC$0.01 per $1 move$0.10 per $1 move$1 per $1 move
EURUSD$0.10 per pip$1 per pip$10 per pip

Your lot size determines your risk. Understand it before you trade.