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Risk/Reward Calculator

Calculate risk-reward ratios, position sizing, and profitability metrics to optimize your trading strategy and risk management.

🎯 Bottom Line:

A 1:2 risk-reward ratio with 40% win rate is profitable, while 1:1 ratio requires 60%+ win rate. Higher ratios allow lower win rates for profitability.

Example: Risking $100 to make $200 (1:2 ratio) with 40% win rate yields $20 expected value per trade. Risking $100 to make $100 (1:1 ratio) with 40% win rate loses $20 per trade.

Trade Parameters

Risk: 50.0 pips

Reward: 100.0 pips

1K1M
$1K$100K
0.5%5%
⚖️

Risk-Reward Ratio

1:2.00

Good ratio

Dollar Amounts

Risk Amount:$454.55
Reward Amount:$909.09
Net Profit (if win):$454.55

Account Risk Analysis

Account Risk (2%):$200.00
Max Position Size:44,000 units
Current Position:100,000 units

⚠️ Position size exceeds recommended risk level

Profitability Analysis

Required Win Rate:33.3%
Expected Value (50% win):$227.27
Trades to Double:31 trades

Risk-Reward Ratio Guidelines

Poor (1:1 or less)

  • • Requires 60%+ win rate
  • • High pressure trading
  • • Difficult to be profitable
  • • Avoid unless very high probability

Acceptable (1:1.5 to 1:2)

  • • Requires 40-50% win rate
  • • Good for high-probability setups
  • • Reasonable risk management
  • • Suitable for most traders

Excellent (1:3 or higher)

  • • Requires 25%+ win rate
  • • Allows for many losses
  • • Professional approach
  • • Highly recommended

How to Set Proper Risk-Reward Ratios

  1. 1.
    Identify Support/Resistance Levels:

    Use technical analysis to find logical stop loss and take profit levels

  2. 2.
    Calculate the Distance:

    Measure pips or points from entry to stop loss and take profit

  3. 3.
    Aim for 1:2 or Better:

    Ensure your reward is at least twice your risk for sustainable profitability

  4. 4.
    Adjust Position Size:

    Size your position so the dollar risk matches your risk management rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What is a good risk-reward ratio in trading?

A:A minimum 1:2 risk-reward ratio is recommended, meaning you risk $1 to potentially make $2. Professional traders often aim for 1:3 or higher ratios to ensure profitability even with lower win rates.

Q:How do I calculate risk-reward ratio?

A:Risk-Reward Ratio = Potential Profit ÷ Potential Loss. For example, if you risk $100 to potentially make $300, your ratio is 3:1 (or 3.0).

Q:What win rate do I need with different risk-reward ratios?

A:With 1:1 ratio, you need >50% win rate. With 1:2 ratio, you need >33% win rate. With 1:3 ratio, you need >25% win rate. Higher ratios allow lower win rates for profitability.

Q:How does position sizing affect risk-reward calculations?

A:Position sizing determines your actual dollar risk and reward. A 1:3 ratio with $100 risk means $300 potential profit. Larger positions increase both risk and reward proportionally.

Q:Should I always use the same risk-reward ratio?

A:No, adjust ratios based on market conditions and trade setups. High-probability trades can use lower ratios (1:1.5), while lower-probability trades need higher ratios (1:3 or more).

Q:How do I set stop loss and take profit based on risk-reward?

A:First determine your risk amount, then set stop loss at that distance. Multiply the risk distance by your desired ratio to set take profit. For example, 20-pip risk with 1:2 ratio = 40-pip take profit.