Why most traders fail evaluations
An evaluation is a race between two lines: the profit target above you and the drawdown floor below you. With a $3,000 target and a $2,000 trailing drawdown, the floor is closer than the target — and on a trailing account it follows you up as you make money. The single biggest factor in passing is the size of each trade relative to that drawdown.
Play with the risk per trade
Try the defaults, then halve the risk per trade. Passing takes more days, but the chance of the drawdown getting you first usually drops sharply. Doubling risk does the opposite: faster passes when it works, many more blown accounts. Many funded traders size so that 6–10 consecutive losses still fit inside the drawdown.
Know your floor every day
Trailing drawdowns are easy to misjudge mid-session. Knowing exactly where your floor sits — and getting a warning before you approach it — is the difference between a bad day and a failed account. Read the guide to trailing drawdown and how to pass a prop firm challenge.
FAQ
What is the best risk per trade for a prop firm challenge?
Small enough that a normal losing streak (often 6–10 losses) fits inside the drawdown. Raising risk speeds up passes but increases failures more.
How does a trailing drawdown work?
The loss limit follows your highest balance (at end of day or intraday, depending on the firm) and usually stops trailing once it reaches the starting balance.
Does this calculator use real prop firm rules?
You enter the rules. Firms change them often, so always copy the numbers from your firm’s current rules page.