Free tool
FTMO Drawdown Calculator
FTMO checks both of its loss limits against your equity, so floating losses on open trades count. The daily limit is measured from your balance at midnight CE(S)T: 5% of the initial balance on the 2-Step and 3% on the 1-Step. The 10% max loss is static on the 2-Step, while on the 1-Step it trails your highest end-of-day balance.
- Daily: $100,000 at today's reset − $5,000 (5% of the $100,000 initial balance) = $95,000.
- Max loss: $100,000 − $10,000 = $90,000, fixed for the life of the account.
- Both limits are checked against your equity ($100,000), so floating P/L counts.
Most drawdown breaches happen around CPI, NFP and FOMC. See this week's high-impact events and BiasForge's bias →
Pre-filled with an example, so replace the figures with your own. Firm presets follow each firm's published rules on the date shown, and rules change. Custom mode assumes the limit is a fixed dollar amount set from your starting balance and leaves out daily loss limits. For education only, not financial advice.
BiasForge is not affiliated with any prop firm. Rules change, so always confirm on the firm's official site.
FTMO drawdown rules
| Program | Daily loss | Max loss | Type | Floating P/L counts | Other rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Step Challenge | 5% of the initial balance, from the day's starting balance. Resets at midnight CE(S)T. | 10% of the initial balance | Static | Yes | Minimum 4 trading days per phase |
| 1-Step Challenge * | 3% of the initial balance, from the day's starting balance. Resets at midnight CE(S)T. | 10% of the initial balance | End-of-day trailing, no published lock | Yes | Best Day rule: 50% |
* 1-Step Challenge: FTMO has not confirmed whether the 1-Step trailing limit ever locks, so this calculator keeps it trailing.
Last verified: November 10, 2026. Official rules: FTMO.
Where drawdown usually goes
Most blown limits are not one bad trade but one bad hour, and those hours cluster around the big US releases. Before a CPI, NFP or FOMC day, check how much room your FTMO account has and size down. The playbooks cover each one: how to trade CPI, how to trade NFP and how to trade FOMC on a funded account, and this week's high-impact releases.
More drawdown tools
The prop firm drawdown calculator covers every preset plus a Custom mode, and the static vs trailing drawdown guide explains the mechanics behind each type.
- FundedNext drawdown calculator
- The5ers drawdown calculator
- Topstep drawdown calculator
- Lucid Trading drawdown calculator
Frequently asked
How does FTMO calculate the maximum daily loss?
Take your balance at midnight CE(S)T and subtract 5% of your initial account size (3% on the 1-Step). Your equity, open trades included, must stay above that level until the next midnight. On a $100,000 2-Step account that closed the day at $102,000, the next day's floor is $97,000.
Is the FTMO max loss static or trailing?
On the 2-Step Challenge it is static: 10% below the initial balance, so $90,000 on a $100,000 account however far you climb. On the 1-Step it trails your highest end-of-day balance by 10%, so a $104,000 best close puts the floor at $94,000.
Do open trades count toward FTMO's drawdown limits?
Yes. FTMO measures equity, so a floating loss counts against both the daily and the max loss limit even if you never close the trade.
Does the FTMO 1-Step trailing drawdown ever lock?
FTMO has not published a lock level for the 1-Step max loss, so this calculator keeps it trailing your highest end-of-day balance. Confirm the current rule on FTMO's site before you rely on it.
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