Gold Position Size Calculator
How many ounces of gold should you buy or sell? Enter your account, risk %, entry and stop loss — get the exact position size in ounces and lots, so a stop-out costs exactly what you planned. No signup needed.
Position size or lot size — which one? The lot size calculator starts from your risk % and a stop distance in pips. This page starts from your actual entry and stop loss prices and answers in ounces first — the unit your broker fills. See the difference ↓
How the calculation works
Dollar Risk = Balance × (Risk % ÷ 100)
Stop Distance = |Entry Price − Stop Loss Price|
Ounces = Dollar Risk ÷ Stop Distance
Lots = Ounces ÷ Contract Size (oz)
Pip Value = Lots × Contract Size × $0.01
Direction = LONG if entry > stop loss · SHORT if entry < stop loss
Worked examples
$1,000 · 1% · 2000.00/1995.00 · 100 oz: $10.00 ÷ $5.00 = 2.00 oz = 0.02 lots (LONG)
$10,000 · 2% · 1950.50/1940.50 · 100 oz: $200.00 ÷ $10.00 = 20.00 oz = 0.20 lots (LONG)
$10,000 · 1% · 1950.00/1960.00 · 100 oz: $100.00 ÷ $10.00 = 10.00 oz = 0.10 lots (SHORT)
$1,000 · 3% · 2000.00/1999.00 · 100 oz: $30.00 ÷ $1.00 = 30.00 oz = 0.30 lots (tight stop — size grows fast)
Assumptions & limitations
- 100 oz is a preset, not a rule. Most brokers quote XAUUSD at 100 oz per 1.0 lot, but 10 oz and 1 oz contracts exist. Check MT5: right-click XAUUSD → Specification → Contract size.
- Tight stops explode the size. A $1 stop on a $30 risk = 30 oz. Always check your broker's maximum lot limit before placing the trade.
- Spread, commission, swap and slippage are not included — your real stop-out cost is slightly higher than shown.
- No live price feed. Enter your planned entry and stop manually.
- Results are educational only — not financial advice.
Position size vs lot size — what's the difference?
Both tools protect the same thing (your risk %), but they start from different inputs:
Lot Size Calculator: balance + risk % + stop distance in pips → answers in lots.
Position Size Calculator (this page): balance + risk % + entry and stop loss prices → answers in ounces first, then lots.
When to use which: planning from a chart with marked entry/SL? Use this page. Thinking in pips before you pick prices? Use the lot size calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is position size in gold trading?
The number of ounces (and lots) to buy or sell so that hitting your stop loss costs exactly your planned risk amount — e.g. 1% of your account. This calculator derives it from your entry and stop prices.
How do I calculate position size for XAUUSD?
Dollar risk ÷ stop distance ($) = ounces, then ounces ÷ contract size = lots. Example: $10 risk ÷ $5 stop = 2 oz = 0.02 lots on a 100 oz contract.
What is the difference between position size and lot size?
Position size starts from your entry and stop loss prices and answers in ounces first. Lot size starts from a stop distance in pips and answers in lots. Same risk math, different starting point.
How does the calculator know LONG or SHORT?
Automatically: if your entry is above your stop loss, it's LONG; if your entry is below your stop loss, it's SHORT. The math is identical either way — only the direction label changes.
What if my stop loss is very tight?
The size grows fast — a $1 stop on $30 of risk = 30 oz (0.30 lots). Tight stops are valid, but always check your broker's maximum lot limit and leave room for spread.
Does this include spread and commission?
No. The size shown is the gross theoretical position. Spread, commission and swap mean a real stop-out costs slightly more — size a touch conservatively if your broker's costs are high.