Challenge buffer calculator
How far to the target, how far to the floor, and how many losing trades at your current size fit in between. The third number is the one worth knowing before the next trade.
Losing trades before the floor
7
floortarget
To target$5900.00
To floor$3700.00
Winning trades needed at 1R12
Track this challenge →
Keeps the floor, target, and buffer current as every trade closes.
What this covers
One challenge phase at a time. A two-phase evaluation needs the current phase's figures.
Counts whole losing trades at a fixed risk. Varying size changes the count.
Does not model the daily limit, which can end a challenge long before the floor does.
Formula and assumptions
Distance to target = target − current balance.
Distance to floor = current balance − floor.
Losing trades remaining = distance to floor ÷ risk per trade, rounded down.
Winning trades needed = distance to target ÷ risk per trade at 1R, rounded up.
Assumes every loss is exactly the planned amount and every win exactly 1R. Real results are neither.
challenge_buffer.v1
Worked example
Example — check your own firm's rules.
Current balance$104,100
Profit target$110,000
Drawdown floor$100,400
Risk per trade$500
To target$5,900
To floor$3,700
Losing trades left7
Winning trades needed at 1R12
Common mistakes
Watching only the target and never the floor, which is what actually ends challenges.
Raising size to reach the target faster, which cuts the losing trades remaining in half.
Counting the floor as fixed when trailing drawdown moves it up with every new high.
Ignoring the daily limit, which can end the attempt while the floor is still far away.
Limitations
This is arithmetic on numbers you supplied. It does not know your broker, your account, or the market. It does not predict price, does not say whether to take a trade, and is not advice. Maximelion is not affiliated with any broker or prop firm, and nothing here is endorsed by one.
Related
Last reviewed 25 July 2026