Tools & Platforms

Using a Risk Calculator for Every Trade

A risk calculator removes guesswork from position sizing — calculate every trade, every time.

Key rules

1. Never size by feel — calculate every trade, every time
2. Inputs: account size, risk %, stop distance in price
3. Output: exact position size in shares, lots, or units
4. Factor in spread and commissions when inputting stop distance
5. Save your default risk settings to reduce calculation time

A risk calculator takes three inputs: account size, risk percentage, and stop distance in price. It outputs the exact position size in shares or lots. ScanTrade's built-in Risk Calculator handles all major asset classes and lets you save your default settings.

Use it before every trade — every single one, without exception.