Trade Size Optimizer
Optimize position sizes as your account grows. As your account increases, your position sizes should increase proportionally to maintain consistent risk. This tool shows the optimal progression of position sizes from your current account to your target.
Enter your current account size, target account size, risk per trade, number of trades, win rate, and risk/reward ratio. See optimal position size progression, account growth trajectory, and how to scale your positions systematically.
Your current account balance
Your target account balance
Risk percentage per trade (typically 1-2%)
Number of trades to project
Your expected win rate percentage
Average win / average loss (e.g., 2 for 2:1 R:R)
Stop loss distance percentage
Position Size Progression
Initial to final position size
$5,000 → $10,000
Account Growth Required
Growth needed to reach target
+100.0%
Expected Return Per Trade
Based on win rate and R:R
0.650%
Want these limits enforced automatically?
Jungle Rebounder helps execute structured strategies with hard caps.
See Jungle RebounderPosition Size vs Account Growth
How position size and risk amount should increase as account grows. Position size scales proportionally with account to maintain consistent risk percentage.
Account Growth Trajectory
Projected account growth trajectory based on expected return per trade. Shows how account grows over trades and when target might be reached.
Position Size Progression Table
| Account Value | Position Size | Risk Amount |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $5,000 | $100 |
| $12,000 | $6,000 | $120 |
| $14,000 | $7,000 | $140 |
| $16,000 | $8,000 | $160 |
| $18,000 | $9,000 | $180 |
| $20,000 | $10,000 | $200 |
Position size progression showing how sizes should increase as account grows. Use this table to adjust your position sizes as your account value changes.
How It Works
Calculation Methodology
This tool optimizes position sizes as your account grows. It calculates how position sizes should increase proportionally with account growth to maintain consistent risk percentages, and projects account growth trajectory based on expected returns.
Key Insight: Position sizes should scale proportionally with account growth. If you risk 1% on $10k ($100 risk, $5k position with 2% stop), you should risk 1% on $20k ($200 risk, $10k position with 2% stop). This maintains consistent risk while allowing position sizes to grow with your account. The optimizer shows this progression and helps you scale systematically as your account grows.
Learn more about position sizing:
Position sizing guideExample Scenario
Setup: $10k → $20k, 1% risk, 2% stop, 55% win rate, 2:1 R:R, 50 trades
What this means: As your account grows from $10k to $20k, your position sizes should double from $5k to $10k (maintaining 1% risk). The optimizer shows this progression and projects that with 0.65% expected return per trade, you'll need about 107 trades to reach your target. Use this to scale your positions systematically as your account grows.
Common Mistakes & Warnings
- ⚠Using fixed position sizes: If you always use $5k positions regardless of account size, you're under-sizing as your account grows. Use risk-adjusted sizing — always risk the same percentage, not the same dollar amount.
- ⚠Not recalculating after account changes: If your account grows or shrinks, recalculate position sizes. A $5k position on a $10k account is 50% risk — way too high. Always maintain consistent risk percentages.
- ⚠Over-sizing during win streaks: Win streaks can make you feel invincible, leading to larger positions. Stick to your risk percentage regardless of recent results. Don't increase risk just because you're winning.
- ⚠Not accounting for negative expectancy: If your expected return is negative, you can't reach your target. Improve your win rate, R:R, or reduce risk before trying to scale. Don't scale a losing strategy.
Example Scenarios
Try these realistic scenarios to understand position size optimization.
Scenario 1: Conservative Growth
Slow, steady growth with low risk. Sustainable scaling.
What this means: Conservative 50% growth target with 1% risk. Position sizes increase 50% as account grows. With 0.65% expected return per trade, expect to reach target in about 62 trades. This is sustainable and realistic.
Scenario 2: Aggressive Growth
Fast growth with higher risk. Faster scaling but higher volatility.
What this means: Aggressive 200% growth target with 2% risk. Position sizes triple as account grows. With 1.0% expected return per trade, expect to reach target in about 110 trades. Higher risk means faster growth but also higher volatility and drawdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use this tool?
Use this tool to optimize position sizes as your account grows. As your account increases, your position sizes should increase proportionally to maintain consistent risk. This tool shows the optimal progression of position sizes from your current account size to your target, helping you scale up systematically.
What is trade size optimization?
Trade size optimization adjusts position sizes as your account grows to maintain consistent risk percentages. If you risk 1% per trade on a $10k account ($100 risk), you should risk 1% on a $20k account ($200 risk). This ensures your position sizes scale with account growth while maintaining the same risk profile.
How does account growth affect position size?
As your account grows, your position sizes should grow proportionally. If you start with $10k and risk 1% ($100), and your account grows to $15k, you should now risk 1% of $15k ($150). This maintains consistent risk while allowing position sizes to scale with account growth.
What is risk-adjusted sizing?
Risk-adjusted sizing means adjusting position sizes based on account value to maintain a constant risk percentage. Instead of using fixed dollar amounts, you use fixed percentages. This ensures that as your account grows, your risk per trade grows proportionally, allowing you to scale up systematically.
How is optimal position size progression calculated?
Position size progression is calculated by: (1) Projecting account growth based on win rate and risk per trade, (2) Calculating position size at each account level using risk percentage, (3) Showing how position sizes should increase as account grows. This creates a progression that maintains consistent risk while scaling with growth.
What if my account shrinks?
If your account shrinks, your position sizes should shrink proportionally. If you risk 1% on $10k ($100) and your account drops to $8k, you should risk 1% on $8k ($80). This prevents over-sizing positions relative to your account and maintains consistent risk management.
How does win rate affect optimization?
Win rate affects how quickly your account grows, which affects how quickly position sizes can increase. Higher win rate = faster account growth = faster position size increases. Lower win rate = slower growth = slower position size increases. The optimizer accounts for this in the growth trajectory.
What's the difference between fixed size and risk-adjusted size?
Fixed size uses the same dollar amount regardless of account size (e.g., always $100 risk). Risk-adjusted size uses the same percentage regardless of account size (e.g., always 1% risk). Risk-adjusted is better because it scales with account growth and maintains consistent risk management.
How often should I recalculate position sizes?
Recalculate position sizes whenever your account size changes significantly (e.g., after a series of wins or losses). Some traders recalculate after every trade, others after every 10-20 trades. The key is to maintain consistent risk percentages as your account fluctuates.
How does this relate to Position Size Calculator?
Position Size Calculator calculates a single position size for a given account size and risk. Trade Size Optimizer shows how position sizes should progress as your account grows from current to target size. Use Position Size Calculator for individual trades, Trade Size Optimizer for scaling strategy.
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