FinToolSuite

Position Sizing Calculator

Updated April 17, 2026 · Investing · Educational use only ·

Trade position sizing.

Calculate optimal position size based on account risk and stop loss. Enter account size and risk per trade for an instant result.

What this tool does

This tool calculates position size based on account risk and stop loss distance.


Enter Values

Formula Used
Account size
Risk per trade
Entry price
Stop loss

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Disclaimer

Results are estimates for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Position sizing calculator determines how many shares/contracts to trade based on account size, risk tolerance, and stop loss distance. The fundamental formula: position size = (account × risk %) / (entry - stop). Most professional traders risk 1-2% per trade. 100k account × 1% = 1,000 max risk per trade.

Example: 100k account, 1% risk per trade = 1,000 risk. Stock entry 50, stop 45 = 5 risk per share. Position size = 1,000 / 5 = 200 shares. Position value = 10,000 (10% of account). If stopped out: lose 1,000 (1% of account). If 2x reward target: gain 2,000 (2% of account, 2:1 reward/risk).

Position sizing math: 1% risk per trade allows for 100 consecutive losses before account zero (mathematically impossible odds). 2% risk: 50 consecutive losses. 5% risk: 20 consecutive losses (much more likely with normal probability). Bigger position sizes amplify profits but also drawdowns - professional traders rarely exceed 2% risk per trade. Match position size to your strategy's win rate and reward/risk profile.

A worked example

Try the defaults: account size of 100,000, risk per trade of 1%, entry price of 50, stop loss price of 45. The tool returns 200 shares. You can adjust any input and the result updates as you type — no submit button, no reload. That's the real power here: seeing how sensitive the output is to one or two assumptions.

What moves the number most

The result responds to Account Size, Risk Per Trade %, Entry Price, and Stop Loss Price. Not every input has equal weight. Flip one at a time toward extreme values to feel which ones move the needle most for your situation.

The formula behind this

Position size = (account × risk %) / (entry price - stop loss). Everything the calculator does is shown in the formula box below, so you can check the math against your own spreadsheet if you want.

Using this well

Treat the output as one point on a wider map. Run it three times — a pessimistic case, a central case, and a stretch case — and plan against the pessimistic one. That habit alone separates people who stick with an investment plan from those who bail at the first wobble.

What this doesn't capture

Steady-rate math ignores real-world volatility. Actual returns are lumpy; sequence-of-returns risk matters most in drawdown; fees and taxes drag on compound growth; and behaviour changes in drawdowns can reduce outcomes below the projection. Treat the number as one scenario, not a forecast.

Example Scenario

£100,000 £ × 1% / (£50 £-£45 £) = 200 shares.

Inputs

Account Size:100,000 £
Risk Per Trade %:1
Entry Price:50 £
Stop Loss Price:45 £
Expected Result200 shares

This example uses typical values for illustration. Adjust the inputs above to match a specific situation and see how the result changes.

Sources & Methodology

Methodology

Position size = (account × risk %) / (entry price - stop loss).

Frequently Asked Questions

What % risk per trade?
Professional discretionary traders: 0.5-1% per trade. Systematic/algo traders: 0.5-2%. Conservative retail: 1%. Aggressive retail: 2%. Above 3%: gambling territory, ruin risk too high. Math: 1% risk allows 100 consecutive losses before bankruptcy. 5% risk = 20 losses to bankruptcy (likely under normal probability).
Account size and position?
Position sizing math identical regardless of account size. 10k account, 1% risk = 100 risk. Stop 5% from entry = position value 2,000 (20% of account). 1M account, 1% risk = 10k risk. Same 5% stop = 200,000 position (20% of account). Same risk %, same drawdown %, just different absolute amounts.
Stop loss placement?
Common methods: (1) % below entry (5-10% standard). (2) ATR multiple (volatility-adjusted, 1-3x ATR). (3) Technical levels (below support, swing low, moving average). (4) Time-based (exit if no progress in N days). Match stop method to strategy. Tighter stops = larger positions but more frequent stop-outs. Wider stops = smaller positions but more breathing room.
Reward/risk ratio?
Target reward / risk ≥ 2:1 minimum. 100 risk should target 200+ reward. Lower R:R requires high win rate (60%+) to be profitable. Higher R:R (3:1, 5:1) profitable with lower win rates (30-40%). Combine position sizing with realistic R:R targets - both matter for portfolio survival.

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