Position Size Calculator

Enter your account size, risk per trade (%), entry price, and stop-loss price. Get the position size in units and dollars so that if the stop is hit, you lose only the risk amount. For stocks and forex. Results update instantly.

Runs in your browser. No sign-up. No data sent to any server.

How to use

Enter account size (or risk capital), risk % per trade (e.g. 1% or 2%), entry price, and stop-loss price. The calculator gives the position size so that if price hits the stop, your loss equals the risk amount. Outputs: position size in dollars, in units/shares/lots, and the risk in dollars.

e.g. 1 = risk 1% of account per trade.

Position size

Max loss = risk amount

Units / shares
Risk amount ($)

Assumes stop is hit at exact price. Slippage and fees can increase loss.

How position size is calculated

Risk amount = account size × (risk % ÷ 100). Risk per unit = |entry price − stop price|. Position size (units) = risk amount ÷ risk per unit. Position size ($) = units × entry price. So if the stop is hit, loss = units × (entry − stop) = risk amount. For long positions, stop is below entry; for short, stop is above entry — use the absolute distance.

This tool is for education and planning only. Not investment advice.

Frequently asked questions

What risk % should I use?
Many traders use 0.5% to 2% per trade. Higher risk increases both potential gain and loss. This calculator does not recommend a specific level.
Does this work for forex?
Yes. Use account size in your account currency, and entry/stop in the same unit (e.g. pip distance or quote currency per lot). For standard lots you may need to convert pip value; the same formula applies: risk $ ÷ risk per unit = units.
Long vs short positions?
For a long, entry > stop (e.g. buy at 50, stop at 47). For a short, entry < stop (e.g. sell at 50, stop at 53). The calculator uses the absolute distance between entry and stop, so it works for both.