How much of your capital spread costs per month
Costs that look small per trade add up fast when you trade often. This tool projects the total monthly cost as a percentage of your capital.
Formula checked against worked examples · Last reviewed 2026-10-05
This is the minimum you must earn before you are ahead. Swap, slippage and spreads that widen around news are not included. Take real spreads from your own account.
How to use
- Enter account balance and average lots per trade.
- Enter trades per month.
- Enter average spread and commission.
Formula
Cost per trade = lots × contract size × spread + lots × commission; monthly cost = cost per trade × trades
Example
0.1 lot, 40 trades a month, spread 0.3 USD, contract 100 oz: 3 USD per trade, 120 USD per month, which is 12% of a 1,000 USD account.
Hypothetical example to explain the formula. It is not real market data and not a trading recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is that cost high?
- It depends on your strategy. The point is to know the number: it is the minimum you must earn before you are ahead.
- Is spread constant?
- No. It often widens around news or in thin liquidity. Use an average taken from your real account.
Limits and risk
This tool is educational. Results are estimates from the numbers you enter and are not investment advice. Trading CFDs is high risk and you can lose everything. Read the full risk warning
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