Daily Loss Limit Calculator
Know exactly when to stop trading today. Essential for prop firm traders and anyone who takes daily risk management seriously.
Standard prop firm rules: 5% daily, 10% overall. Check your specific challenge rules before trading.
Why a daily loss limit is non-negotiable
Without a daily loss limit, a single bad day can undo weeks of progress. Losses compound psychologically too — the more you lose, the more likely you are to trade emotionally, overtrade, and dig deeper. A hard daily limit removes the decision from the heat of the moment.
Prop firm standard rules
Most funded account providers (FTMO, MyFundedFx, The5%ers) have strict daily drawdown rules built into their challenges:
- Standard rule: Maximum 5% loss per day based on starting balance.
- Consequence: Exceeding it fails the challenge immediately — regardless of overall performance.
- Trailing variant: Some firms calculate daily limit from the previous day's highest equity — not the original balance.
Personal traders: why 2–3% daily is enough
Even without a prop firm, a 3% daily limit on a $10,000 account means maximum daily loss of $300. Over 20 trading days, losing every single day only costs you $6,000 — survivable. Without a limit, a single bad day can cause irreparable psychological and financial damage.
How to use this calculator daily
- Enter your account balance at the start of each trading day.
- Set your maximum daily loss % (use your prop firm rule, or 2–5% for personal accounts).
- As the day progresses, update your current P&L.
- When the status turns to "Stop Trading Today" — close your platform and walk away.