i What this calculator does
This calculator works out the exact stop-loss price for your trade, based on your entry price, how much you're willing to risk (in Rand or as a percentage of your account), and your position size.
Enter your account size, risk percentage, entry price, and direction, and the calculator returns your precise stop-loss price and position size, see our guide on trailing stop-losses for a more dynamic approach.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and doesn't account for spread or slippage. Not financial advice.
How to use the Stop-Loss Calculator
The inputs carry workable values from the start. Nothing has to be entered to get a number on screen.
- 1. Account Size (R)
- 2. Risk Per Trade (%)
- 3. Entry Price
- 4. Position Size (units)
- 5. Direction
The result panel reports:
- ' + h.label + '
Alongside the headline figures, the calculator reports stop-loss price, risk amount, stop distance, position size. Those are the numbers that usually explain why the headline result came out where it did.
You can see how the number was built: each step appears beneath the answer.
Save the inputs with the output. When circumstances change, knowing which assumption moved is faster than running the whole thing again from memory.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the ATR Stop-Loss Calculator?
This calculator sets your stop-loss based on a simple, fixed percentage or Rand risk amount, regardless of current market volatility. The ATR Stop-Loss Calculator instead adapts the distance to current volatility, generally considered more robust across varying market conditions.
What risk percentage should I actually use per trade?
1-2% of account balance per trade is a widely cited range in trading education, though the right figure depends on your overall risk tolerance and how many trades you typically take, higher percentages increase both potential growth and risk of ruin.
Does this calculator also tell me my position size?
Yes, once you enter your risk amount and stop distance, the calculator returns both your exact stop-loss price and the resulting position size needed to keep your risk at your specified amount.
Should my stop-loss always be based on a fixed percentage?
Not necessarily, many experienced traders instead place stops based on genuine technical levels like support and resistance, then check what percentage of the entry price that distance represents, rather than forcing a fixed percentage onto every trade.
Does this work for short (sell) positions too?
Yes, select your direction, for a long position the stop-loss sits below your entry, for a short position it sits above your entry, and the calculator adjusts the formula accordingly.
Want to embed this calculator on your site?
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width="100%" height="690" style="border:0;max-width:520px"
title="Stop-Loss Calculator - TradeAnswers" loading="lazy"></iframe>
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