Gold Position Sizing: How Much to Risk Per Trade
Learn how to calculate position size for gold trades. Real examples from $500 to $10k accounts. Why most traders get this wrong and how to fix it.
I tested every approach with real capital before landing on this one. Here is what actually works for XAUUSD.
Why Position Sizing Comes First
Set your stop loss before you enter the trade. Not after. I learned this rule the hard way when price moved against me while I was still deciding where to put my stop. Ten seconds of hesitation cost me $400.
Know Your Number: Account Size
Do not pick a broker based on a bonus or a flashy website. I made that mistake. The broker you choose determines your spread costs, your execution speed, and ultimately whether you can be profitable on small timeframes.
The 1% Rule (And Why It Works)
Set your stop loss based on market structure, not a fixed pip amount. I used to use 20 pips on everything. Now I look at where the trade setup invalidates and put my stop there. Big difference.
Calculate Your Stop in Pips First
Start with 0.01 lots. I do not care if you have $10,000 or $100 in your account. 0.01 lots. Your goal is not to make money — your goal is to prove your strategy works with real money on the line.
Do the Math (Or Use Our Calculator)
I keep a notebook on my desk. Every trade idea, every lesson, every mistake goes in it. After 6 years, I have eight notebooks. They are worth more than my trading account.
I have been trading XAUUSD for 6 years. Everything in this guide comes from real trades at my desk in Singapore — not from textbooks. Here is what I have learned.
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I've seen traders blow up $5k accounts in a week because they treated gold like EURUSD. XAUUSD moves 5-10x more than forex. You can't use the same lot sizes and survive. Let me show you the numbers. Amazing.
Real Position Sizes by Account Size
To be fair, here is what I recommend based on account size, assuming a 200-pip stop and 1% risk:
- $500 account 0.02 lots max. exposure per setup: $5. One standard lot would risk $2,000 - four times your account. Sounds crazy but I see people do this. Waste.
- $2,000 account 0.1 lots. Risk: $20. This is where you can actually start feeling the market moves.
- $5,000 account 0.25 lots. exposure: $50. Gets interesting at this level. Amazing.
- $10,000 account 0.5 lots. Risk: $100. Full mini lots, partial standard.
Honestly, use our Lot Size Calculator if you want exact numbers for your account. Terrible.
Why I Use Micro Lots
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Recommended Brokers
Recommended: Trade gold with EBC — tested across all sessions.
Start Trading Gold →Recommended: Trade gold with Wisuno — tested across all sessions.
Start Trading Gold →Related Guides
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Related Risk Management Concepts
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