Forex Spread Cost Calculator
Calculate what the bid-ask spread costs on a trade, and across a year of trading.
Please note: Forex trading carries a high risk of loss, amplified by leverage. Exchange rates must be entered manually — no live market data is used.
What the Forex Spread Cost Calculator does
The spread is the gap between the bid and ask price. You buy at the ask and sell at the bid, so every position starts underwater by the spread. For frequent traders it is often the single largest cost.
Formula
Pip value = Pip size × Units × Conversion rateSpread cost = Spread in pips × Pip value
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread | pips | Yes | Accepts 0 or more. |
| Trade size (lots) | number | Yes | Accepts more than 0. |
| Lot type | one of 4 options | Yes | — |
| Pip size | one of 3 options | Yes | — |
| Quote → account currency rate | number | Yes | Accepts more than 0. |
| Trades per month | number | Optional | Accepts 0 or more. |
| Currency | one of 10 options | Optional | — |
How to use it
- Choose Lot type and Pip size.
- Enter Spread, Trade size (lots) and Quote → account currency rate.
- Optionally add Trades per month.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
A 1.2-pip spread on one standard lot, 20 trades a month.
- Spread
- 1.2
- Lots
- 1
- Trades per month
- 20
$12 per trade, $240 a month, $2,880 a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is a raw spread account cheaper?
It depends on your volume. Raw spread accounts charge near-zero spreads plus commission; standard accounts bundle the cost into a wider spread. Compare total cost per round turn, not the spread alone.