About the Gold Lot Size Calculator
Find the right lot size for a gold (XAUUSD) trade so that hitting your stop loss costs exactly what you're willing to lose. Enter your balance and the percentage you want to risk (or a fixed amount), then the entry and stop price or the stop in pips.
The lot size is rounded down to your broker's smallest step, never up, so the real risk shown under the result is never more than you set. If the risk is too small even for 0.01 lot, the page tells you instead of quietly showing zero.
How it works
First the amount at risk is found: your balance times the risk percentage, or the amount you type. Then the loss on one lot at your stop is worked out: the distance from entry to stop in dollars, times the ounces in one lot (100 at most brokers). Dividing the first by the second gives the lot size.
For example, risking 1% of $10,000 is $100. With an entry at 2,650 and a stop at 2,640, the stop is $10 away, so one lot would lose $10 × 100 = $1,000. $100 ÷ $1,000 = 0.10 lot.
Because brokers only accept sizes in steps such as 0.01, the exact answer is rounded down to the nearest step, and the risk at that rounded size is shown. A second table shows the size for 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3% risk so you can compare.
Assumptions and limits
- A stop in pips uses the pip you choose: $0.10 (common) or $0.01. The stop distance is always shown in dollars too.
- The contract size is 100 oz per lot unless you change it.
- Gaps, slippage and spread can make a real loss larger than planned, especially around news.
Worked examples
1% of $10,000
Stop $10 below the entry: $100 ÷ ($10 × 100 oz) = 0.10 lot.
Fixed $250 with a 150-pip stop
150 pips of $0.10 is $15, so one lot would lose $1,500; $250 ÷ $1,500 = 0.1667, rounded down to 0.16 lot, which risks $240.
Selling gold
Risking 2% of $5,000 with the stop $7 above the entry gives 0.14 lot, risking $98.
How to use the Gold Lot Size Calculator
- Set your risk. A percentage of the balance or a fixed amount.
- Enter the stop. Entry and stop price, or the stop in pips.
- Read the lot size. Rounded down to your broker's lot step.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate lot size for gold?
Divide the amount you're willing to lose by the loss on one lot at your stop. With a 100-ounce contract the loss per lot is the stop distance in dollars times 100, so risking $100 with a $10 stop gives 0.10 lot.
What lot size should I use on a $1,000 account?
At 1% risk you risk $10. With a $5 stop, one lot would lose $500, so the size is 0.02 lot. With a $10 stop it is 0.01 lot, and a wider stop needs a smaller size than most brokers allow.
Why does it say my risk is too small?
The smallest gold position is usually 0.01 lot, which is 1 ounce. If your stop is $15 away, even 0.01 lot loses $15, so a risk of $10 can't be met. Move the stop closer or accept a slightly larger risk.
Why is the lot size rounded down?
Brokers only accept sizes in fixed steps such as 0.01 lot. Rounding up could lose more than you planned if the stop is hit, so the calculator always rounds down and shows the real risk at that size.
Does this work for silver or other metals?
Yes, as long as you enter the right contract size and use the stop as a price. Silver (XAGUSD) is often 5,000 ounces per lot, so a $0.10 stop loses $500 on one lot of silver.
This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you enter or upload stays on your device and is never sent to our servers.