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RISK · FIXED-DOLLAR RISK

Fixed-Dollar Risk per Trade: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included

Risking the same dollar amount on every trade is simple and keeps losses predictable. It also means risk as a share of the account drifts as the account changes.

By ChartsPod Editorial Team · Reviewed by ChartsPod Research
Published · Updated · 5 min read

Short answer

Fixed-dollar risk sets the same loss at the stop on every trade, for example $150, regardless of account size. Example: ETH long at $3,000, stop $2,940 ($60), fees about $2.97 per ETH and slippage $1: loss per ETH ≈ $63.97, so size ≈ 2.34 ETH. If the account grows from $15,000 to $25,000, $150 falls from 1% to 0.6% of the account; if it shrinks to $10,000, it rises to 1.5%. Review the dollar amount periodically.

Worked example

StepValue
Risk per trade$150
Entry / stop$3,000 / $2,940
Fees per ETH≈ $2.97
Slippage per ETH$1.00
Loss per ETH≈ $63.97
Size≈ 2.34 ETH
$150 as % of account at different balances$150 as % of account at different balances: $10,000 1.5 %; $15,000 1.0 %; $25,000 0.6 %.$150 AS % OF ACCOUNT AT DIFFERENT BALANCES$10,0001.5 %$15,0001.0 %$25,0000.6 %
Dollar risk fixed; percentage drifts. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

When fixed-dollar works

It suits small accounts, learning phases and traders who want identical loss sizes for psychological consistency. Its weakness is that it doesn't automatically shrink during drawdowns. Compare with fixed-percent risk in Fixed-Percent Account Risk: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included.

Fixed $ vs fixed %Fixed $ vs fixed %. Left, Fixed dollar: Same loss every trade; Simple; Risk % rises in drawdowns; Manual reviews. Right, Fixed percent: Loss scales with account; Shrinks in drawdowns; Grows with gains; Automatic.FIXED DOLLARSame loss every tradeSimpleRisk % rises in drawdownsManual reviewsFIXED PERCENTLoss scales with accountShrinks in drawdownsGrows with gainsAutomatic
Choose deliberately. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Conclusion

Related: Crypto Position Size From Stop Distance: A Worked Risk Example, Fixed-Percent Account Risk: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included.

Plan the same calculation with ChartsPod's position planner.

Open the ChartsPod terminal

Fixed-dollar risk sets the same loss at the stop on every trade, for example $150, regardless of account size.

Check Fixed-Dollar Risk per Trade against a live market before relying on it.

Try it in ChartsPod

Questions readers ask

What is fixed-dollar risk?

Same dollar loss at the stop on every trade.

Is it worse than fixed percent?

It doesn't adapt to drawdowns; review it regularly.

Do fees change size?

Yes; include them in loss per unit.

Sources and methodology

Arithmetic uses standard sizing formulas. Fee rates (0.05% taker, 0.02% maker), slippage and funding values are illustrative; check your venue's schedule. Liquidation figures are simplified approximations; exchanges calculate them with their own maintenance-margin rules (see Bybit's documentation).

  1. Bybit: Liquidation process — mark price and margin modes.
  2. ChartsPod: product overview, pricing and FAQ — free terminal, venues, modules, no order placement; checked 17 Oct 2026.

This article explains research tools and workflows. It is not financial advice, does not recommend buying or selling any asset and does not predict prices. Crypto derivatives carry a risk of rapid and total loss of margin.

CHARTSPOD EDITORIAL EDITION · RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ONLY · NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE.