How the calculator works
Professional traders start with the money they are willing to lose and let the lot size follow. The formula is short:
Lot size = risk in USD ÷ (stop loss in pips × value of 1 pip for 1 lot)
On gold, 1 pip is 0.10 in price. At most brokers 1 lot is 100 ounces, so 1 pip is worth 100 × 0.10 = 10 USD per lot. The result is rounded down to your broker's lot step, so your real risk is never higher than the risk you chose.
Three worked examples
| Balance | Risk | Stop loss | Lot size | Loss at stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 USD | 1% = 100 USD | 100 pips | 0.10 | 100.00 USD |
| 2,000 USD | 1% = 20 USD | 50 pips | 0.04 | 20.00 USD |
| 5,000 USD | 0.5% = 25 USD | 120 pips | 0.02 (exact 0.0208) | 24.00 USD |
In the last example, the exact result 0.0208 is rounded down to 0.02, so the real loss at the stop is 24.00 USD instead of 25.00 USD.
What the calculator cannot know
- Spread, slippage and commission come on top. In fast markets the stop can be filled at a worse price.
- Other currencies: the calculator assumes a USD account. For another account currency, convert your risk to USD first.
- Several open trades add up. Two trades of 1% each are 2% at risk.
More detail on pips, points and contract sizes: XAUUSD pip value and lot size. How to choose the stop itself: how to set stop loss and take profit in gold trading.
Questions
How do I calculate lot size for XAUUSD?
Divide the money you are willing to risk by the stop loss in pips times the value of 1 pip for 1 lot. With the common contract of 100 ounces, 1 pip is worth 10 USD per lot. Example: 100 USD risk and a 100-pip stop give 100 ÷ (100 × 10) = 0.10 lot.
How much is 1 pip on gold worth?
With 1 pip = 0.10 in price and a contract of 100 ounces, 1 pip is worth 10 USD for 1.00 lot, 1 USD for 0.10 lot and 0.10 USD for 0.01 lot. Check your broker's contract size, because some accounts use other sizes.
Why is the lot rounded down?
Brokers only accept lots in fixed steps, often 0.01. Rounding down keeps your real risk at or below the risk you chose; rounding up would quietly increase it.
This calculator is a tool for education, not financial advice. Trading gold carries a high risk of loss, and the real loss can be larger than calculated because of spread, slippage and gaps.