JustChartsWhat Is a Lot in Forex? Standard, Mini, Micro and Nano Lots
A lot is the standard unit of trade size in forex. One standard lot is 100,000 units of the base currency; a mini lot (0.1) is 10,000; a micro lot (0.01) is 1,000; and a nano lot is 100. On EUR/USD, one pip is worth about $10 per standard lot, $1 per mini lot and $0.10 per micro lot.
Key facts
- Standard lot (1.00)
- 100,000 units · $10/pip on EUR/USD
- Mini lot (0.10)
- 10,000 units · $1/pip
- Micro lot (0.01)
- 1,000 units · $0.10/pip
- Nano lot
- 100 units · $0.01/pip (few brokers)
- Gold lot (XAU/USD)
- usually 100 oz, not 100,000 units
Lot sizes at a glance
| Name | Lots on your platform | Units of base currency | Pip value on EUR/USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1.00 | 100,000 | $10 |
| Mini | 0.10 | 10,000 | $1 |
| Micro | 0.01 | 1,000 | $0.10 |
| Nano | 0.001 (where offered) | 100 | $0.01 |
What does 0.01 lot mean?
0.01 lot is one micro lot — 1,000 units of the base currency. Buying 0.01 lot of EUR/USD means buying €1,000 worth of euros against the dollar. It is the smallest size most brokers allow and a sensible size for learning.
Lots are measured in the base currency
The base currency is the first one in the pair. One lot of GBP/JPY is £100,000; one lot of USD/JPY is $100,000. Because pip value depends on the quote currency, it differs by pair — see how to calculate pip value.
Metals, indices and crypto use different lots
- Gold: usually 100 troy ounces per lot — see 1 lot of gold.
- Silver: usually 5,000 troy ounces — see 1 lot of silver.
- Indices and crypto CFDs: the contract size is set by each broker (for example $1 per index point per lot). Always check the symbol specification.
How to choose a lot size
Choose lot size from your risk, not from your account size or your confidence. Decide how much you are willing to lose if your stop-loss is hit, then work backwards — the method is in how much money you need to start trading.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 1 lot in forex?
One standard lot is 100,000 units of the base currency — for example €100,000 on EUR/USD. You don’t need that much money because leverage lets you open it with a smaller margin deposit.
How much is 0.01 lot worth?
0.01 lot is 1,000 units. On EUR/USD each pip is worth about $0.10, so a 50-pip move is about $5.
Is 0.01 lot good for beginners?
Yes. It is the smallest size at most brokers and keeps the money at risk per pip small while you learn.
How many units is 1 mini lot?
A mini lot is 10,000 units of the base currency, shown as 0.10 lot on most platforms.
Put it into practice
Live charts, an economic calendar and trading calculators — free with a JustCharts account.
Work out lot size with the free calculatorThis article is for education only and is not financial advice. Trading leveraged products carries a high risk of losing money. Contract sizes, trading hours and leverage limits vary by broker and country — always check your own broker’s specifications.