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Crypto Position Size Calculator
Position size should come from the amount the account may lose and the distance between entry and invalidation. Leverage changes required margin; it does not decide how much price risk the position should carry.
Position inputs
Risk determines quantity. Leverage only determines margin.
Risk-sized result
CoherentQuantity
33.33333333
Notional exposure
$3,333.33
Planned loss
$100.00
Stop distance
3%
Margin required
$1,111.11
Effective leverage
0.33×
Formula and assumptions
Risk amount
Account equity × risk %The maximum planned price loss before fees, funding and slippage.
Stop distance
| Entry − stop |The price distance that proves the setup wrong.
Quantity
Risk amount ÷ stop distanceUnits that lose the selected risk amount if price reaches the stop.
Notional exposure
Quantity × entryThe actual market exposure; leverage only determines how much margin supports it.
How to use the result
- 01
Place invalidation first
Choose the price where the market structure makes the trade thesis wrong. A stop invented to fit a desired position size reverses the correct process.
- 02
Set account risk
Enter equity and a risk percentage the account can tolerate repeatedly. Confidence is not a reason to increase the percentage.
- 03
Review notional and margin
A valid risk size can still require too much margin. Check effective leverage, available margin and liquidation distance before considering execution.
- 04
Add costs and slippage
Fees, funding and poor fills add to the loss at the stop. The terminal calculator models those costs; this public tool shows the main sizing contract.
What the number can get wrong
- Choosing quantity first and moving the stop until the displayed loss looks acceptable.
- Confusing posted margin with the amount at risk. A smaller margin does not make the same notional position safer.
- Using the same fixed-dollar stop on assets with different prices and volatility.
- Ignoring fees when the stop is very tight; costs can become a large fraction of intended risk.
Questions
How do I calculate crypto position size?+
Multiply account equity by the chosen risk percentage, then divide that risk amount by the absolute distance between entry and stop. The result is quantity; multiply quantity by entry for notional exposure.
Does leverage increase position risk?+
Leverage reduces margin required for a given notional position and moves liquidation closer. Directional loss at a defined stop is mainly determined by quantity and stop distance, not the leverage label.
Should position size be based on confidence?+
No. Confidence is uncertain and often miscalibrated. Position size should be based on a predefined account-risk policy and a market-based invalidation level.
Move the calculation onto the chart
Basis can place entry, stop and targets on a live chart and calculate size beside market structure. The terminal also models fees, funding, margin and warnings in one plan.
Open the free risk workspaceRelated calculators
Updated 2026-08-26 · Estimates depend on the inputs and assumptions shown. Educational use only, not financial advice.