Forex Starter Tools
Kickstart your analysis with fast, reliable calculators and checklists built for real trading. Set your lot size, estimate costs, and sanity-check risk in seconds—so you can focus on execution, not guesswork.
Spread & Commission Cost Calculator
See the real cost per trade and break-even levels instantly.
Formula: Cost = (Spread + Slippage) × PipValue × Lots + Commission × Lots. Break-even pips = Spread + Slippage + (Commission × Lots) / (PipValue × Lots).
Tips
- For brokers quoting per side, double commission to get round-turn.
- JPY pairs ≈ $9.1/pip for 1 lot; most USD majors ≈ $10.
- Gold ≈ $100/pip, Silver ≈ $50. Confirm contract specs with your broker.
- Check if your strategy’s avg. pips > costs to stay profitable.
Forex Trading Fees Explained (Spread, Commission & Slippage)
Every order you place has a cost. Spread is the difference between the bid and ask, commission is a fixed fee charged by some brokers, and slippage is the difference between your expected price and the price you actually get during fast markets.
These costs add up over time and directly reduce your net profit. Use the calculator above to see your cost per trade, the break-even pips needed to cover fees, and the impact over 100 trades. If you hold positions overnight, also consider swap/rollover charges from your broker.
What is a good spread for EUR/USD?
Competitive all-in spread is usually 0.6–1.2 pips on standard accounts (lower on raw/ECN + commission).
How do I calculate break-even pips?
Break-even pips = Spread + Slippage + (Commission × Lots) / (PipValue × Lots). Use the calculator to check instantly.
Are commissions per side or round-turn?
Many brokers show per side. The calculator assumes round-turn (both sides). If per-side, double it.
Why does slippage matter for scalping?
Even 0.2–0.5 pip slippage can remove most scalping profit. Always add realistic slippage into the calculator.
Forex Margin Calculator
See how much margin is required to open and hold your trade.
Formula: Required Margin = (Contract Size × Lots) ÷ Leverage. Contract size = 100,000 for FX majors, ~100 for Gold, ~5,000 for Silver.
Understanding Forex Margin
Margin is not a cost, but a good-faith deposit that your broker requires to open trades. It ensures you can cover potential losses and prevents over-leveraging. With proper margin awareness, you can protect your account from margin calls and plan positions that fit your balance.
What happens if margin runs out?
If margin drops too low, your broker may issue a margin call and close trades to protect your account from going negative.
Is higher leverage always better?
Not always. Higher leverage lowers the margin needed, but also increases risk. Balance leverage with good risk management.
How do brokers calculate margin?
Required Margin = Contract Size × Lots ÷ Leverage. For example, a 1.00 lot EUR/USD at 1:100 leverage requires about $1,000.
Recommended Brokers
Forex Profit & Loss Calculator
Estimate potential profit or loss in USD for your trade.
Formula: Profit/Loss = PipValue × Pips × Lots.
Understanding Profit & Loss in Forex
Your profit or loss depends on three things: pip value, lot size, and the number of pips gained or lost. By combining these, you can instantly see how much money is at stake for every trade. This calculator helps traders check risk before entering positions and compare results across different instruments.
How is profit calculated in forex?
Profit = Pip Value × Pips × Lot Size. The calculator applies this automatically using typical pip values for each pair.
Why do pip values differ?
Most USD-quoted pairs are about $10 per pip on a standard lot, JPY pairs average ~$9.1, while gold and silver have much larger pip values.
Does this include spreads or commissions?
No — this calculator only shows raw profit/loss. To see real results after costs, combine it with the Spread & Commission Calculator.
What’s the best way to use this tool?
Test different lot sizes and pip movements before opening a trade. This helps you match position size to your risk management plan.
Forex Swap / Rollover Calculator
Estimate overnight financing (positive or negative) by pair, direction, and days held.
Enter your broker’s swap in points/pips per 1.00 lot per day or in USD per 1.00 lot per day. Triple-swap replaces one day’s charge with 3× (often on Wednesdays), so charged days = days + 2 if included.
Understanding Swap / Rollover Fees
Swap (or rollover) is the overnight financing applied when you keep a position open past the broker’s cut-off. The charge can be negative or positive depending on the interest rate differential between the two currencies. Use the calculator above to estimate daily and total swap so you can plan holding costs alongside spread, commission, and profit targets.
Why is there a triple-swap day?
Spot forex settles in T+2. Brokers apply a 3× swap once per week (commonly on Wednesday) to account for weekend days when markets are closed.
Why can swap be positive?
If you’re long the currency with the higher interest rate (and short the lower one), you may receive positive swap. The opposite side typically pays swap.
What do “points” or “pips per day” mean?
Some brokers quote swap as points/pips per 1.00 lot per day. The calculator converts this to USD using the pair’s typical pip value so you can see the daily cost in dollars.
Do metals and oil have swap too?
Yes. XAU/USD, XAG/USD, and energy CFDs typically have financing charges. Rates vary by broker and may differ from FX pairs.
How should I use swap in my strategy?
Check expected holding time. For multi-day trades, include swap in your break-even and risk/reward. For intraday trades, swap impact is usually minimal unless you hold overnight.
Top Forex Brokers — Compare & Register
Main Tools
Quick access to your core toolkit. Everything is mobile-friendly and consistent in style.
Position Size Calculator (PSC)
Set the right lot size by risk %, stop-loss distance, and balance.
