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Position Sizing Formula — How Much to Risk Per Trade?

Size = (Total Capital × 2%) / (Distance to stop loss %). Never risk more than 2% per trade.

Position sizingRiskMoney managementTrading

The 2% Rule

Risk 2% of your capital per trade.

Capital 10M → risk 200k per trade.

Formula: Risk = Capital × 2% / (Stop loss %)

Example:

  • Capital: 10M, Stop loss 2% below entry
  • Risk per trade: 10M × 2% / 2% = 1M position

Result: 4 losing trades in a row = 8% loss. You can survive.

Sizing by Account Risk

AccountRisk per TradeMax Loss (10 trades)
10M @2%200k2% (bearable)
10M @5%500k5% (still ok)
10M @10%1M10% (painful)
10M @20%2M20% (ruin)

Common Mistakes

Too large: 10M account, 5M trade size → 1 loss = 50% drawdown → can't recover easily.

Too small: 10M account, 10k trade size → friction costs too high, rewards negligible.

Consistency Beats Size

20 trades × 2% = +40% if 60% win rate. 5 trades × 10% sizing = +20% if win once. But one loss = -50%. Disaster.

Consistent small sizing > occasional large wins.

fastbot Auto-Sizing

Set % risk → fastbot calculates position size automatically based on stop loss.

👉 Use fastbot position sizing — professional risk.