Welcome to our in-depth exploration of micro lots in forex trading. This article serves as an extension of our original piece discussing lots and lot sizes in the forex market. In the world of forex trading, understanding the concept of a lot is crucial. Specifically, this time we’ll be focusing on micro lots – the units that allow traders to minimize risk and achieve finer control over their positions. Whether you’re a beginner dipping your toes into the world of forex, or a seasoned trader looking to optimize your strategies, understanding the intricacies of micro lots can prove immensely beneficial.

What are lots in forex trading?

In forex, a standard lot is 100,000 units of the base currency. So for the EUR/USD forex pair, it means buying 100,000 euros. The following lot sizes are generally used:

  • Standard lot (100,000 base currency units) 
  • Mini lot (10,000 base currency units) 
  • Micro lots (1,000 base currency units) 
  • Nano lots (100 base currency units)

A closer look at micro lots

A micro lot contains 1,000 units of the base currency, allowing traders to have finer control over their positions and risk exposure. One of the significant advantages of trading micro-lots is the reduced capital requirement, making them an excellent option for beginner traders. 

When trading a micro lot, each pip movement in the currency pair has a smaller monetary value, and this allows traders to enter positions with less capital compared to larger lot sizes.

Lot sizes and pips

Lot sizes determine the value of each pip movement. The bigger the lot size, the bigger the value of each pip movement. 

The following values are can be calculated for currency pairs quoted in US dollars (such as EUR/USD, where US dollar is the quote currency):

  • Standard lot size: one pip movement is $10
  • Mini lot size trade: one pip movement is worth $1
  • Micro lot size: one pip movement is worth $0.10
  • Nano lot size: one pip movement is worth $0.01 

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Micro lots: a favored choice for beginners

Micro lots make forex trading more accessible to beginner traders or those with limited funds. Additionally, trading micro lots allow for more flexibility in position sizing, enabling traders to fine-tune their risk management.

Micro lots play a vital role in effective risk management and position sizing strategies. Since the monetary value of each pip movement is smaller, potential losses are also limited. This allows traders to manage their risk more effectively and protect their account from significant drawdowns.

How much money do I need to trade one micro lot? 

Two factors define how much money you need to trade one micro lot:

  • Leverage
  • Margin 

With leverage, a trader borrows money for a transaction. At True Forex Funds, 1:100 leverage is allowed for major currency pairs. This means that a trader can open a micro lot with risking only $10 of their trading capital. 

The smallest account size on True Forex Funds is $10,000. Using the 1:100 leverage, you are able to open a position of $1,000,000 – and it will only cost you €89, which is fully refundable.

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In forex, spread is the difference between bid price and ask price. Bid price is the highest price a buyer is ready to pay for the lot at the given moment. Ask (or offer) price is the lowest price for which the lot can be sold. Unlike many other prop firms, True Forex Funds offers 0 spreads for most major currency pairs, eliminating the difference between the bid and ask price.

Diversification with micro lots

In addition, micro lots enable traders to diversify their positions and spread their risk across multiple trades. Instead of putting a substantial portion of their capital into a single trade, traders can divide their capital into several micro lot trades. This approach helps to reduce the impact of individual trade outcomes on the overall portfolio and allows for more balanced risk distribution. 

Even though micro lots limit the potential losses of a forex trade, it’s worth considering the following tips: 

  • Assess your risk tolerance level. Determine the maximum percentage of your account you are willing to risk on a single trade and adjust your position size accordingly. 
  • Always use stop-loss orders. This order type automatically closes a position if the market moves against you beyond a predefined level. It helps limit potential losses and prevent you from wiping out your account. 
  • Use proper position sizes. Calculate your position size based on your risk tolerance and the distance to your stop-loss level. Adjust your position size to ensure that a small move in the market does not result in a significant loss. 
  • Monitor the market. Stay informed about economic news, market trends, and technical indicators. These factors can impact the volatility and liquidity of currency pairs, affecting your trading decisions. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, trading with micro lots provides a viable and practical entry point for beginners or those with limited funds. Not only does it allow for better risk management, but it also enables diversification across trades and a more controlled approach to forex trading.

True Forex Funds always encourages traders to remember to assess their risk tolerance, use stop-loss orders, calculate proper position sizes, and stay updated with market trends. For more insights into the broader context of lot sizes in forex trading, consider revisiting our original piece on lots and lot sizes. The understanding and practical application of these concepts are key steps on the path to success in the world of forex trading.

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Micro lots FAQs

What is a micro lot in forex trading?

A micro lot in forex trading represents 1,000 units of the base currency. It allows traders to have more granular control over their positions and risk exposure. It is especially beneficial for beginners or those with limited capital.

How does the value of a pip change with different lot sizes?

The value of a pip movement changes with different lot sizes. For currency pairs quoted in US dollars, a pip movement with a standard lot size is worth $10, a mini lot size is worth $1, a micro lot size is worth $0.10, and a nano lot size is worth $0.01.

What is the significance of leverage and margin when trading a micro lot?

Leverage allows a trader to borrow money for a transaction, thus opening positions that may be larger than their available capital. Margin is the amount of capital a trader must have in their account to open a position. For example, at True Forex Funds, 1:100 leverage is allowed for major currency pairs, which means a trader can open a micro lot with only $10 of their trading capital.

How do micro lots contribute to risk management in forex trading?

Micro lots allow for more flexibility in position sizing and limit the monetary value of each pip movement. This results in potential losses being limited, thus enabling traders to manage their risk more effectively and protect their accounts from significant drawdowns.

How can micro lots facilitate diversification in forex trading?

Micro lots enable traders to diversify their positions and spread their risk across multiple trades. Instead of investing a large portion of capital into a single trade, traders can split their capital into several micro lot trades, which helps reduce the impact of individual trade outcomes on the overall portfolio.