Risk Management Calculator
Position Size Calculator
Calculate exactly how many shares to buy so that if your stop-loss is hit, you lose only what you intended to risk — no more.
Disclaimer: Informational and educational only. Not financial advice. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Trading involves substantial risk of loss.
$
Total trading capital
%
% of account to risk
$
Price you plan to enter
$
Your planned stop-loss
Results
Shares to Buy
Dollar Risk (if stop hit)
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Total Position Value
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Risk Per Share
% of Account Deployed
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How Position Sizing Works
What is a position size calculator?
A position size calculator tells you how many shares (or units) to buy so that if your stop-loss is hit, you only lose a predetermined dollar amount or percentage of your account. It's a core risk management tool.
What formula is used?
Dollar Risk = Account Size × (Risk % ÷ 100). Risk Per Share = Entry Price − Stop-Loss Price. Shares = Dollar Risk ÷ Risk Per Share. Example: $10,000 account, 1% risk = $100 at risk. Entry $50, stop $48 = $2/share. $100 ÷ $2 = 50 shares.
What percentage should I risk per trade?
Many risk-management frameworks discuss 0.5%–2% as a common range. This is factual information about common practice — it is not a personal recommendation. The right amount depends on your individual situation, goals, and risk tolerance. Consult a qualified financial advisor.
Does this work for options or futures?
This calculator is designed for equity shares (stocks/ETFs). Options and futures have different position-sizing mechanics (contract multipliers, premium cost, leverage) that require different calculations.
Does the calculator include commissions?
No — this calculator shows shares based on pure price risk. To account for commissions, subtract your round-trip commission cost from your dollar-risk budget before calculating. See our P&L calculator for commission-inclusive breakeven math.