Practical guide
Gold lot size: the right way, step by step
“What lot should I use?” is the question traders ask most, and the right answer depends on where your stop loss is, not only on your balance. This guide explains the calculation simply, with a ready-made table and a free calculator.
Last updated: 18 October 2026
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1. Lot basics on gold
On most platforms one full lot (1.00) of gold is 100 ounces, so 0.01 lot is one ounce. A pip on gold is $0.10, so a $1 move in price is 10 pips.
| Lot size | Ounces | Pip value (0.10) | Value of a $1 move |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.00 | 100 | $10 | $100 |
| 0.10 | 10 | $1 | $10 |
| 0.01 | 1 | $0.1 | $1 |
Check the contract size at your broker: some use different contracts, which changes the values.
2. The formula
Amount you accept to lose = balance × risk %
Lot size = amount you accept to lose ÷ (stop loss in pips × 10)
⚠️ Always round down (0.027 becomes 0.02), never up.
Example: $500 account, 50-pip stop
At 1% risk: amount = 500 × 1% = $5. Lot = 5 ÷ (50 × 10) = 0.01 lot. With 0.1 lot on the same trade, the loss at the stop is 50 × $1 = $50, i.e. 10% of the account in one trade.
✅ 0.01 lot → $5 loss (1%)
❌ 0.1 lot → $50 loss (10%)
3. Ready-made table: lot size at 1% risk
Calculated at 1% risk of the balance, rounded down.
| Balance | 30-pip stop | 50-pip stop | 100-pip stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | below 0.01 | below 0.01 | below 0.01 |
| $500 | 0.01 | 0.01 | below 0.01 |
| $1,000 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| $5,000 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 0.05 |
| $10,000 | 0.33 | 0.20 | 0.10 |
4. Common lot-size mistakes
✗ 1Same lot whatever the stop
With a fixed 0.05, a 30-pip stop and a 150-pip stop are completely different losses. The stop decides the lot, not the other way round.
✗ 2Moving the stop to fit the lot
The stop belongs where the analysis puts it, behind liquidity or structure. If it's far, use a smaller lot instead of a tighter stop.
✗ 3Confusing margin with risk
Leverage only sets the margin held; it doesn't set how much you lose. The loss comes from the lot and the stop.
✗ 4Ignoring spread and news
Around high-impact news the spread widens and fills can slip, so the real loss is bigger than planned. Reduce the lot or wait until after the release.
✗ 5Risking more than 2%
Five losses in a row at 5% risk take about a quarter of the account; at 1% they cost under 5%.
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Gold lot size: FAQ
What is a pip worth on gold?
A pip on gold is $0.10 of price. In money: $10 for 1.00 lot, $1 for 0.10 lot, and $0.10 for 0.01 lot.
What lot size for a $100 account?
At 1% risk ($1) with a 30-pip stop the lot is 0.003, below the 0.01 minimum. So the smallest lot (0.01) with a 30-pip stop risks 3% of the account. Small accounts need a tighter well-placed stop, or a consciously higher risk.
What lot size for a $1,000 account?
At 1% risk ($10): 0.02 lot with a 50-pip stop, 0.01 lot with a 100-pip stop.
How many pips is a $1 move on gold?
A $1 move in the gold price is 10 pips, because a pip is $0.10. So a $5 stop is 50 pips.
Does leverage change the right lot size?
No. Leverage only changes the margin needed to open the trade. The right lot comes from the amount you accept to lose and your stop.
What risk per trade is sensible?
Most professional traders stay at 1–2% of the balance per trade, so a short losing streak doesn't damage the account.
This guide is educational. Check the contract specs at your broker; pip values can differ between platforms. Leveraged gold trading carries high risk.