Free Online Risk Reward Calculator for Trading
Calculate your risk reward ratio instantly to ensure profitable trades. Essential for beginners and professional traders. No registration required.
Pro Tip: A favorable risk-reward ratio is crucial for long-term profitability. Even with a 40% win rate, you can be profitable with a 1:2 risk-reward ratio.
Calculate Risk-Reward Ratio
Risk Reward Formula
The Risk Reward Formula
Breakeven Win Rate = 1 ÷ (1 + R:R Ratio)
Risk-Reward for Beginners
Why Risk-Reward Ratio Is Crucial for New Traders
The risk-reward ratio is the foundation of profitable trading. It tells you how much you stand to gain compared to what you're risking. Beginners who master this concept significantly improve their chances of success.
Why 1:2 Minimum Is Crucial
- •You can be wrong 60% of the time and still profit
- •Reduces psychological pressure to win every trade
- •One win can recover two losses
- •Builds consistent profitability over time
How to Set Realistic Targets
- ✓Use support/resistance levels for targets
- ✓Consider the daily average range
- ✓Look for previous swing highs/lows
- ✓Account for market volatility
Common Beginner Mistakes
- ✕ Setting arbitrary profit targets
- ✕ Moving stop loss to improve ratio
- ✕ Taking trades with R:R below 1:1
- ✕ Ignoring trading costs impact
Quick Start Guide
- 1. Never take trades below 1:1.5 R:R
- 2. Aim for 1:2 minimum on all trades
- 3. Skip trades if you can't get good R:R
- 4. Track your actual vs planned ratios
Beginner's Golden Rule: If you can't get at least a 1:1.5 risk-reward ratio with logical stop loss and take profit levels, skip the trade. Quality over quantity always wins in trading.
How to Calculate Risk Reward Ratio
The risk-reward ratio compares potential profit to potential loss: R:R Ratio = (Target - Entry) ÷ (Entry - Stop). The breakeven win rate tells you the minimum success rate needed: Breakeven = 1 ÷ (1 + R:R).
Quick Example:
Buy EUR/USD at 1.1000, Stop at 1.0950, Target at 1.1150:
Risk = 50 pips, Reward = 150 pips
Risk-Reward Ratio = 150 ÷ 50 = 1:3
Breakeven Win Rate = 1 ÷ (1 + 3) = 25%
Risk-Reward vs Win Rate Balance
Your profitability depends on the relationship between your risk-reward ratio and win rate. Higher R:R ratios allow for lower win rates while remaining profitable.
Risk-Reward Scenarios & Breakeven Rates
| R:R Ratio | Breakeven Win Rate | 10 Trades Example | Profit with 40% Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 50% | Need 5 wins to break even | -20% (Loss) |
| 1:1.5 | 40% | Need 4 wins to break even | 0% (Breakeven) |
| 1:2 | 33% | Need 3.3 wins to break even | +20% (Profit) |
| 1:3 | 25% | Need 2.5 wins to break even | +60% (Profit) |
| 1:4 | 20% | Need 2 wins to break even | +100% (Profit) |
*Assuming 1% risk per trade. Actual results depend on consistent execution and market conditions.
Real Trading Scenarios
Trend Following Setup
Range Trading Setup
Conservative Setup
Poor Setup (Avoid)
Risk Management Best Practices
Define Stop Loss First
Always determine your stop loss based on market structure and analysis, not to fit a desired risk-reward ratio.
Align Targets with Structure
Set profit targets at logical levels like resistance, support, or Fibonacci levels, not arbitrary distances.
Never Widen Stops After Entry
Moving stop loss further away destroys your risk-reward plan and indicates poor trade management or entry timing.
Account for Trading Costs
Spreads and commissions reduce your actual risk-reward. A 1:2 setup might be 1:1.8 after costs.
Track Actual vs Planned
Keep a journal comparing your planned risk-reward to actual results. This reveals execution issues.
Consider Partial Profits
Taking partial profits at 1:1 or 1:1.5 can improve win rate while maintaining good overall risk-reward.
Trading Psychology & Risk-Reward
The Mental Game of Risk Management
Accept Lower Win Rates: With a good risk-reward ratio (1:2 or better), you can be profitable with a 35-40% win rate. This means accepting more losses than wins, which challenges most traders psychologically.
Avoid the Breakeven Trap: Moving your stop to breakeven too early can hurt profitability. Let trades breathe and follow your original plan unless market conditions fundamentally change.
Quality Over Quantity: Focus on high-quality setups with favorable risk-reward rather than taking many trades with poor ratios. Patience pays in the long run.
Trust the Math: A string of losses doesn't mean your strategy is broken. With proper risk-reward, you need fewer wins to recover and profit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good risk-reward ratio for forex trading?
A minimum of 1:1.5 is recommended for most strategies. Professional traders often target 1:2 or higher. The ideal ratio depends on your win rate and trading style.
How does the risk-reward ratio affect profitability?
Higher risk-reward ratios mean you need a lower win rate to be profitable. A 1:3 ratio requires only 25% win rate to break even, while 1:1 needs 50%.
How do spreads and commissions affect my risk-reward ratio?
Trading costs reduce your actual risk-reward ratio. A theoretical 1:2 setup might become 1:1.8 after accounting for spreads and commissions.
Can I combine risk-reward with position sizing?
Yes. First determine the risk-reward ratio to assess trade quality, then calculate position size based on your risk percentage per trade.
Why is my actual risk-reward different from planned?
Slippage, spreads widening, and partial fills can affect actual ratios. Always account for these factors when planning trades.
Should I adjust stop loss to improve risk-reward?
Never widen stops just to improve the ratio. Stop loss should be based on market structure and your analysis, not arbitrary ratio targets.
What is breakeven win rate?
The minimum percentage of winning trades needed to avoid losses. Calculated as 1 ÷ (1 + risk-reward ratio). Higher R:R means lower required win rate.
How do I track my actual risk-reward performance?
Keep a trading journal recording planned vs actual R:R for each trade. Review regularly to identify if you're achieving your targets.
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