Position Size Calculator
Position Size Calculator
FREE TOOLLeverage & Fees
Your Results
LONGStep-by-Step Calculation
Risk Ladder
The same trade at different risk levels. Your current setting is highlighted.
| Risk | Max Loss | Position | Quantity |
|---|
A crypto position size calculator tells you exactly how much Bitcoin, Ethereum or any other coin to buy so that, if your stop-loss is hit, you lose only the amount you planned to risk. Instead of guessing, you start from your account balance and your risk per trade, and let the math set the size of the position.
How to Use This Position Size Calculator
- Choose Long or Short. Long if you expect the price to rise, Short if you expect it to fall.
- Enter your account balance — the total capital in your trading account.
- Set your risk per trade as a percentage (most traders use 0.5%–2%) or as a fixed dollar amount.
- Enter your entry price and stop-loss. For a long, the stop sits below entry; for a short, above it. You can type the stop as a price or as a percentage.
- Add a take-profit (optional) to see your risk-to-reward ratio and potential profit.
- Set leverage and fees to see your margin, trading costs and an estimated liquidation price.
Position Size Formula
Stop Distance % = |Entry − Stop-Loss| ÷ Entry
Position Size = Risk Amount ÷ (Stop Distance % + Round-Trip Fees %)
Quantity = Position Size ÷ Entry Price
Margin Required = Position Size ÷ Leverage
Fees are included because you pay them on both the entry and the exit. Leaving them out makes your real loss slightly bigger than planned. To see what those fees do to your final result, run the trade through our crypto profit calculator.
Worked Example
You have $10,000 and want to risk 1% on a Bitcoin long. You buy at $60,000 with a stop-loss at $58,800, and the fee is 0.1% per side. Bitcoin is the largest of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
- Risk amount: $10,000 × 1% = $100
- Stop distance: ($60,000 − $58,800) ÷ $60,000 = 2%
- Position size: $100 ÷ (2% + 0.2%) = $4,545.45
- Quantity: $4,545.45 ÷ $60,000 = 0.075758 BTC
If the price falls to $58,800, you lose about $100 including fees — exactly 1% of your account. Without fees, the position would be $5,000.
How Leverage Changes Your Position
Leverage does not change your position size or your risk — your stop-loss and risk percentage do that. Leverage only changes how much margin you lock up. A $5,000 position needs $5,000 of your own money at 1x, $1,000 at 5x and $500 at 10x. The danger is that higher leverage moves your liquidation price closer to your entry. If the liquidation price comes before your stop-loss, the exchange closes your trade before your stop can protect you — the calculator warns you when that happens. Liquidation rules differ by crypto trading platform, so check yours before using leverage.
How Much Should You Risk per Trade?
| Risk per trade | Style | Losing trades to lose 20% of account |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5% | Very conservative | About 45 |
| 1% | Conservative (common default) | About 22 |
| 2% | Moderate | About 11 |
| 5% | Aggressive | About 4–5 |
Smaller risk per trade keeps you in the game through losing streaks, which every trader goes through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Position Sizing in Crypto?
Position sizing is deciding how large each trade should be. Instead of buying a random amount, you size the trade so that hitting your stop-loss costs a fixed share of your account, such as 1%.
Does This Calculator Work for Short Trades?
Yes. Choose Short and place your stop-loss above your entry price. The formula is the same — it uses the distance between entry and stop, whichever direction you trade.
Does Leverage Increase My Risk?
Not if you use a stop-loss and size the position correctly — your loss at the stop stays the same. Leverage reduces the margin you need, but it moves your liquidation price closer, so very high leverage can liquidate you before your stop is reached.
Why Should I Include Trading Fees?
You pay fees when you open and when you close a trade. On tight stops, fees can be a big part of the loss. Including them keeps your real loss at the amount you planned.
Is the Liquidation Price Exact?
No. It is an estimate for isolated margin that ignores funding and fees. Each exchange uses its own formula and margin tiers, so always check the liquidation price shown on your exchange before trading. Compare fees and access in our top 10 crypto exchanges list.
What Is a Good Risk-to-Reward Ratio?
Many traders look for at least 1:2 — risking $1 to make $2. With a 1:2 ratio, you can be right less than half the time and still be profitable over many trades.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and you can lose some or all of your money. Results are estimates and exclude slippage and funding rates.
James
James leads crypto content at Crypto By Chance, covering exchanges, wallets, trading platforms, and blockchain technology. He researches trading fees, security features, market mechanics, and crypto regulations to explain a fast-moving market clearly. His guides and comparisons help readers evaluate their options, manage risk, and make informed decisions about digital assets.
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