Lot Size in Forex: Standard, Mini and Micro Lots
A standard lot is 100,000 units of the base currency, a mini lot 10,000 (0.1) and a micro lot 1,000 (0.01). On a USD-quoted pair like EUR/USD, one pip is worth about $10 per standard lot, $1 per mini and $0.10 per micro. Cent accounts go smaller still. Choose your lot size from the loss you can accept, not from how much margin you have.
Lot sizes at a glance
| Name | Lots | Units of base currency | Pip value on EUR/USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1.00 | 100,000 | $10 |
| Mini | 0.10 | 10,000 | $1 |
| Micro | 0.01 | 1,000 | $0.10 |
On a pair where the US dollar is the quote currency (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD), the pip value per standard lot is always $10. On other pairs it depends on the exchange rate. See how to calculate a pip, or use the pip calculator.
How to choose a lot size
- Decide how much of your balance you’ll risk on the trade, for example 1–2%.
- Decide where your stop-loss goes, in pips.
- Lot size = amount at risk ÷ (stop in pips × pip value per lot).
Example. Balance $2,000, risk 1% ($20), stop 25 pips on EUR/USD: $20 ÷ (25 × $10) = 0.08 lots.
The lot calculator does this for any pair and account currency.
Lot size and margin
Lot size also sets your margin: 0.08 lots of EUR/USD at 1.0800 is an $8,640 position, which needs $8.64 at 1000:1 or $288 at 30:1. Leverage only changes this number, not your risk per pip. More in leverage explained.
Cent and micro accounts
If 0.01 lots is still too big for your balance, a cent account helps. Balances are shown in cents, so you can trade positions a hundred times smaller in real terms. XS.com has a cent account; Titan FX’s Zero Micro account trades down to 100 units. Compare options on cent account brokers and read choosing an account type.
Lots on gold, indices and crypto
Outside forex, “1 lot” means whatever the broker’s contract specification says. Gold is commonly 100 troy ounces per lot, but not everywhere; index and crypto contracts vary even more. Always check the specification in your platform (right-click the symbol, then Specification) before sizing. See the gold trading guide for a worked example.
Related
- Forex Lot Size Calculator
- Position Size Calculator
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- Is Offshore Forex Trading Legal? What Regulators Say
- Regulated vs Offshore Forex Brokers: Leverage, Protection and Tax
- Forex Leverage Explained With Worked Examples
- Negative Balance Protection Explained
- Margin Level, Margin Call and Stop Out Explained
- What Is a Pip in Forex and How to Calculate It
- What Is Spread in Forex and When Does It Widen
- Forex Swap and Rollover Explained
- Hedging Rules at Forex Brokers
- How to Choose a Forex Account Type: Standard, ECN or Cent
- How Forex Bonuses Work: Withdrawal Conditions Explained
- Forex Cashback Rebates Explained
- Using Multiple Forex Broker Accounts: Pros and Rules
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Frequently asked questions
What lot size should I use with $100?
Usually 0.01 lots. At $0.10 per pip, a 30-pip stop risks $3, or 3% of the account. Even 0.05 lots would risk $15 on the same stop.
Is a lot the same for gold and indices?
No. Contract sizes for gold, oil, indices and crypto are set by each broker and differ between brokers. Check the contract specification before trading.
What is a cent account lot?
On a cent account, balances are shown in cents, so a 'standard lot' is effectively one hundredth of a normal one. It lets you trade very small sizes.
What is the smallest lot I can trade?
Most brokers allow 0.01 lots (1,000 units). Titan FX's Zero Micro account trades down to 0.1 micro lots, which it lists as 100 units.
