Trailing drawdown calculator
Enter an account size, a maximum loss and your daily results to see where the drawdown threshold sits after each day. Switch between end-of-day trailing, intraday trailing and static drawdown to compare how each method treats the same trades.
Balance and threshold by day
BalanceDrawdown thresholdCushion
- Balance
- $50,000
- Threshold
- $48,000
- Cushion
- $2,000
- Status
- Active
| Day | Closing P&L | Intraday high | Intraday low | Payout | Remove |
|---|
| Day | Balance | Threshold | Cushion | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $50,000 | $48,000 | $2,000 | Active |
Intraday high and low are the best and worst open P&L during the day, relative to the previous close. The calculator assumes the high came before the low, the cautious case for intraday trailing. Educational tool; your firm's rulebook governs your account.
Explained
What is a trailing drawdown?
A trailing drawdown is a loss limit that moves up as your account makes new highs. It starts at your starting balance minus the maximum loss. When your balance sets a new high, the threshold rises by the same amount. It never moves down. If your balance touches the threshold, the account reaches its limit.
What is the difference between end-of-day and intraday trailing drawdown?
The difference is which high the threshold follows. End-of-day trailing only looks at closing balances. Intraday trailing follows your best open equity, including profit you never closed.
| Same day on a 50K account | End-of-day trailing | Intraday trailing | Static |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open profit peaks at +$1,500 | No change | Threshold rises to $49,500 | No change |
| Day closes at +$200 | Threshold rises to $48,200 | Stays at $49,500 | Stays at $48,000 |
| Cushion at the close | $2,000 | $700 | $2,200 |
When does a trailing drawdown stop moving?
Many firms stop trailing once the threshold reaches a set level at or just above the starting balance. On GhostProp futures it stops at $50,100: with Phantom's $2,000 drawdown, that happens after a close of $52,100, and the threshold stays at $50,100 from then on. Use the "Stops trailing at" field to match your firm's rule, or leave it empty if the threshold never stops (GhostProp drawdown rules).
How do payouts affect the drawdown?
A payout lowers your balance but not your threshold. Your cushion shrinks by exactly the payout amount. Load the "Lock and payout" example to see it.
Questions
Drawdown questions
Which is better, end-of-day or intraday trailing drawdown?
End-of-day trailing is usually easier to manage because open profit you give back during the day does not raise your threshold. Intraday trailing locks in your best open equity, so a winning trade that reverses can shrink your cushion.
Does the drawdown threshold ever go down?
No. A trailing threshold only moves up or stays where it is. Losses and payouts reduce your balance, which reduces your cushion, but the threshold itself does not fall.
Is end-of-day drawdown checked only at the close?
It is calculated at the close but usually enforced all day. If your open balance touches the threshold during the session, the account reaches its limit. Check your firm's rulebook.
What is a static drawdown?
A static drawdown is a fixed floor at the starting balance minus the maximum loss. It never trails, so new highs increase your cushion instead of moving the threshold.
Is this calculator specific to GhostProp?
No. It works for any firm that uses end-of-day, intraday or static drawdown. Set the starting balance, maximum loss and lock level to match your rulebook.
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