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Forex Risk Management

The 1% Rule

Never risk more than 1–2% of your total account on a single trade. On a $1,000 account: max risk per trade = $10–$20. Even 10 consecutive losses only costs 10–20%. The math: 10% loss needs 11% gain to recover. 50% loss needs 100% gain to recover. Protect the account.

Position Sizing Formula

Position size = (Account size × Risk %) ÷ (Stop loss in pips × Pip value). Example: $10,000 account, 1% risk = $100 risk. Stop = 50 pips on EUR/USD. Pip value = $10/lot. Size = $100 ÷ (50 × $10) = 0.2 lots. Calculate this before every trade.

Stop Loss — Non-Negotiable

Every trade needs a stop loss before entry. Place below support for longs, above resistance for shorts. Never widen a stop to avoid a loss. Moving stop to breakeven after the trade moves in your favor is fine.

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Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1% rule in forex?
Never risk more than 1% of account balance per trade. On $500 account = $5 risk per trade. This ensures you survive 50+ consecutive losses and stay long enough to find your edge.
Should I use a stop loss every trade?
Always. No exceptions. Stop losses are insurance against black swan events. Experienced traders who skip them are the ones who eventually get wiped out.

Related Guides

What is Leverage → Lot Size in Forex → Pip Value →