Gold Position Size Calculator
Work out the correct XAUUSD lot size from your account balance, the percent you are willing to risk, your entry, and your stop loss. The result is the exact position size to place — expressed in both broker lots and gold ounces — so a single stop-out never costs more than you planned.
Your trade inputs
Percent of the account risked on this trade. 1–2% is the common guideline.
Optional — used only to show the reward-to-risk ratio.
Advanced (contract size, lot step, point size)
One standard XAUUSD lot = 100 oz.
Results
1,500 points
About the gold position size calculator
How the formula works
Position sizing answers one question: how large can this trade be so that hitting the stop loss costs exactly the amount you decided to risk? First the calculator finds your dollar risk — account balance times risk percent. It then divides that dollar risk by the stop distance (the price gap between entry and stop) to get your gold exposure in troy ounces.
Ounces are converted to lots by dividing by the contract size (100 oz per standard XAUUSD lot), then floored down to your broker's lot step so the order is always placeable and never rounds your risk up. Because of that flooring, the real loss at the placed lot size can be slightly below your target risk — the calculator shows both so there are no surprises.
Worked example
A $10,000 account risking 1% is risking $100. Buying gold at $2,650 with a stop at $2,635 gives a $15 stop distance, so exposure is $100 / $15 = 6.67 oz, which is 6.67 / 100 = 0.0667 lots — floored to 0.06 lots. If the stop is hit at 0.06 lots the actual loss is 0.06 × 100 × $15 = $90, just under the $100 target. With a $2,680 take profit the reward-to-risk is 2.00:1, implying a 33% break-even win rate.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse ounces with lots — 6.67 oz is only 0.0667 lots. Do not widen your stop after sizing without recalculating; a larger stop distance means fewer lots for the same dollar risk. And watch the risk-percent checks: risking above 2% per trade is flagged, and above 5% is treated as severe, because a short losing streak at high risk can deeply damage an account.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate lot size for gold (XAUUSD)?
Multiply your account balance by your risk percent to get the dollar risk, divide that by the distance between your entry and stop loss to get ounces, then divide ounces by 100 (the contract size) to get lots. This calculator does all three steps and floors the result to your broker's lot step.
What is a standard lot in gold?
One standard XAUUSD lot equals 100 troy ounces of gold. A 0.10 lot (mini) is 10 oz and a 0.01 lot (micro) is 1 oz. The contract size is adjustable in the advanced options if your broker differs.
Why is my actual loss smaller than my chosen risk?
Lots are floored down to your broker's lot step so the order is always valid and your risk is never rounded up. That rounding-down means the loss at the placed lot size is usually a little below your target — the calculator shows the exact figure.
What risk percent should I use per trade?
Many traders keep risk at 1–2% of the account per trade. This tool flags anything above 2% as above the conservative guideline and above 5% as severe, but the right number depends on your strategy and risk tolerance.
These calculators are provided for informational and educational purposes only. GoldCompass provides informational analytical interpretations and does not provide investment advice, trading advice, brokerage services, or financial recommendations. Always confirm contract specifications, tick size, and margin requirements with your own broker before trading.