Pick the right FTMO US Challenge size (and set risk perfectly)
See account sizes, risk limits, commissions & an ROI framework for both the 1-Step and 2-Step paths. Start smart, scale calmly.
Start your FTMO US ChallengeUpdated: September 7, 2026 · US-focused
FTMO US account sizes & risk limits (at a glance)
Choose from five simulated sizes: $10k, $25k, $50k, $100k, $200k — available on both the 1-Step and 2-Step Challenge. The two paths use different profit targets and drawdown rules, so pick your table below based on which Challenge you’re running. Source · Examples
2-Step Challenge: risk limits by size
Phase 1 target is 10%, Verification target is 5%, Max Daily Loss is a static 5%, and Max Loss is a static 10% of your initial balance.
| Challenge size | Phase 1 Target (10%) | Verification Target (5%) | Max Daily Loss (5%) | Max Loss (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,000 | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $2,500 | $1,250 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
1-Step Challenge: risk limits by size
The 1-Step path compresses evaluation into a single 10% target, but tightens the drawdown rules: Max Daily Loss is a stricter 3%, and Max Loss is a trailing 10% rather than a static floor. It also applies a Best Day Rule, which caps how much of your total profit can come from a single trading day — check your dashboard for the exact threshold before relying on one big session to hit target.
| Challenge size | Profit Target (10%) | Max Daily Loss (3%) | Max Loss (10%, trailing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,000 | $300 | $1,000 (trails equity high) |
| $25,000 | $2,500 | $750 | $2,500 (trails equity high) |
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 | $5,000 (trails equity high) |
| $100,000 | $10,000 | $3,000 | $10,000 (trails equity high) |
| $200,000 | $20,000 | $6,000 | $20,000 (trails equity high) |
Rules/details: How it Works and How to Pass the FTMO Challenge.
Platform, execution model & leverage
MT5-only, Hedging execution
FTMO US runs on MetaTrader 5 with Hedging execution: you can hold long and short positions on the same instrument at once, positions are not automatically netted, and margin is required independently for each side. This replaced the older Netting/FIFO model, which was phased out for FTMO accounts between late January and mid-February 2026. MT5 only · FTMO US vs Global
Leverage & specs
The FTMO US account type is fixed at 1:33 leverage (≈3% minimum margin) and cannot be switched to a different leverage tier or account type at any stage — this is the one account type available to US participants. Check contract specs inside MT5 and the Simulated Assets page for hours and margin per instrument. Account specifications · Simulated assets
Commissions, costs & spreads (US configuration)
FTMO US costs now split into two groups, following the move to Rolling Simulated Contracts on select instruments:
- Spot FX and metals (e.g. XAUUSD): approximately $5 per standard lot (100k) round-trip, or roughly 0.0025% per side of notional on metals — check the exact figure in each symbol’s contract specification. Source (US setup primer)
- Indices and oil on Rolling Simulated Contracts (US500, US100, US30, USOIL): no per-trade commission. These contracts have no expiry date, so instead of a round-trip fee you pay standard overnight swap charges if you hold a position past rollover. Factor swap into cost planning if you tend to hold these overnight.
Cost awareness checklist
- Use contract specifications in MT5 to verify tick value, min lot, commission (or swap-only pricing), and trading hours per symbol. Specs FAQ
- FTMO US allows news trading and weekend holding on the US account type, with the exception that simulated futures-style contracts must be closed before expiry (Rolling contracts remove this concern for the indices/oil pairs that switched over). News policy (US)
- Platform time: MT5 server is GMT+2 (+DST). Specs FAQ
ROI framework: refund, Rewards & Points
Fee refund (2-Step only): After you pass both stages of the 2-Step Evaluation and process your first Reward from the FTMO Rewards Account, 100% of the initial fee is refunded (assuming successful KYC/KYB, submitted W-9, and T&Cs compliance). The 1-Step fee is not refunded. How it Works · Fee refund policy
Rewards share: The 1-Step path starts at 90% of simulated profits immediately. The 2-Step path starts at 80% and can scale toward 90% under the Scaling Plan or Premium Program. Source · Scaling
FTMO Points: Points can be used to discount future Challenges; 1 FTMO Point = $1.15 in purchasing power within FTMO’s ecosystem. Points value
Fast math you can use
| Scenario | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| First Reward | Plan for a clean, flat equity day from day 14 onward to withdraw | On 2-Step, triggers the fee refund and logs one of the ≥2 Rewards you’ll need for scaling |
| Profit split | 1-Step: 90% immediately. 2-Step: base 80% → up to 90% after scaling | Higher split improves net Reward on the same strategy output |
| Points strategy | Elect Points on a Reward or as an alternative to a full fee refund | 1 Point = $1.15 toward future Challenges within FTMO’s system |
How to choose your Challenge size (decision tree)
1) Start from your per-trade risk comfort
Pick a size where your standard per-trade risk (e.g., 0.25–0.50%) sits far below your path’s daily loss limit — 5% on 2-Step, or the tighter 3% on 1-Step — even if you stack two trades in a day. Example: if you like risking ~$100/trade, a $25k account at 0.4% risk ≈ $100/trade still leaves headroom against a $1,250 (2-Step) or $750 (1-Step) daily limit. Risk examples
2) Map position size to costs
At ~$5 per 100k notional round-trip on FX and metals, spreads plus commission shouldn’t exceed a small fraction of your stop value. If you trade 10-pip stops on EURUSD with $10/pip (0.10 lot), your risk is ~$100; keeping all-in cost (spread+commission) under ~$3–$5 per ticket maintains healthy expectancy. If you trade indices or oil on the Rolling contracts, remember there’s no round-trip commission — your main cost there is overnight swap. Commissions guide
3) Respect leverage
With a fixed maximum leverage of 1:33, notional scales quickly. Make sure your typical stop distance and lot size won’t require excessive margin during volatile releases (news trading is permitted on the US account type). Leverage · News policy (US)
4) Plan for scaling eligibility
If you’re aiming for bigger allocation, design cycles to meet scaling: 4 months, ≥10% total net profit, ≥2 processed Rewards, and a positive balance. Benefits: +25% top-up and up to a 90% split, toward a $2M cap on total initial balance across accounts. This scaling path is clearly documented for the 2-Step Challenge; if you’re running 1-Step and long-term scaling matters to you, confirm the exact conditions with FTMO support before committing, since the published terms for 1-Step scaling are less detailed. Scaling plan
Example setups (by trader profile)
| Profile | Account size | Per-trade risk | Daily structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New to FTMO rules | $10k–$25k | 0.25–0.40% | 1–2 tickets/day, 1 symbol | Practice the Hedging execution model on Free Trial first; consider 2-Step for the fee refund on your first pass |
| Intermediate day trader | $50k–$100k | 0.30–0.50% | One A+ setup/day | Use tight cost control: commission + spread ≪ stop value; watch swap if trading Rolling index/oil contracts overnight |
| Experienced, low frequency | $100k–$200k | 0.25–0.40% | 2–6 trades/week | 1-Step for the immediate 90% split, or 2-Step to plan Reward requests toward ≥2 within a 4-month scaling cycle |
US-specific nuances you should know
- Entity & residency: FTMO US serves US residents/entities. Transfers between entities (US ↔ Global/AU) have conditions and require KYC; products aren’t transferred. Eligibility · Switching entities
- Reward workflow: First Reward is typically requestable from day 14, provided the account is in profit with no open or pending orders; processing often completes within 1–2 business days after invoice confirmation, paid via Revolut bank wire. W-9 and US bank account proof are required for the first Reward. Reward timing & methods
- Execution model: FTMO US moved from Netting/FIFO to Hedging execution in early 2026 — if you’re used to the old rules, note you can now hold both sides of a position and manage each independently.
- App Suite: MT5 toolpack (by FX Blue) includes calculators, journal helpers & dashboards — useful for risk calibration. App Suite
Ready to pick your size and Challenge type?
Select a Challenge that fits your per-trade risk and workflow. Choose 1-Step for the immediate 90% split, or 2-Step for the refunded fee and a documented scaling path.
Start FTMO US (affiliate)FAQs
Which account sizes are available in FTMO US?
$10k, $25k, $50k, $100k, and $200k simulated accounts, available on both the 1-Step and 2-Step Challenge. Source
Is the Challenge fee recurring? What happens to it?
There are no recurring fees — it’s a one-time Challenge cost either way. On the 2-Step path, FTMO US refunds the full initial fee after you pass and process your first Reward (subject to identity/tax verification and T&Cs). On the 1-Step path, the fee is not refunded. Fee refund policy
Does FTMO US still use netting and FIFO?
No. FTMO moved MT5 accounts from Netting/FIFO to Hedging execution for Challenges purchased after January 30, 2026, with existing netting accounts converted by mid-February 2026. You can now hold long and short positions on the same instrument at once.
Can I trade during news or hold over the weekend?
For the FTMO account type US, yes — no news/overnight restrictions during Evaluation or on the Rewards Account. Simulated futures-style contracts still need to be closed before expiry, though the shift to Rolling Simulated Contracts on major indices and oil removes that constraint for those instruments. US news policy
How are commissions calculated?
FX and metals run roughly $5 per 100k notional round-trip (about 0.0025% per side). Indices and oil traded on the newer Rolling Simulated Contracts (US500, US100, US30, USOIL) carry no per-trade commission — cost there comes from overnight swap if you hold positions past rollover. Always check each symbol’s contract specification in MT5. US setup primer
What if I want to scale beyond $200k?
Use the Scaling Plan (+25% per 4-month cycle with ≥10% net profit, ≥2 Rewards, positive balance) toward the $2M total initial balance cap; premium tiers can increase allocation further under separate criteria. This is clearly documented for 2-Step; confirm current 1-Step scaling terms with support before relying on them. Scaling plan
Disclosure: FTMO US provides a simulated, educational environment. Performance in simulation does not guarantee results in live markets. This article includes a partner affiliate link.