R-Multiple Calculator
Measure trade outcomes in units of initial risk, and total a series.
Please note: Trading carries substantial risk of loss. These calculators are planning tools, not trading advice, and no position sizing method prevents losses.
What the R-Multiple Calculator does
An R-multiple expresses a trade’s result as a multiple of the risk taken on it, where R is the distance from entry to stop. It makes trades of any size directly comparable, and turns a scattered track record into a single expectancy figure.
Formula
R = |Entry − Stop|R-multiple = (Exit − Entry) ÷ R for a long, reversed for a shortExpectancy = Total R ÷ Number of trades
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculate | one of 2 options | Yes | — |
| Direction | one of 2 options | In some modes | Shown Calculate is One trade, from prices. |
| Entry price | selected currency | In some modes | Accepts 0 or more. Shown Calculate is One trade, from prices. |
| Stop loss | selected currency | In some modes | Accepts 0 or more. Shown Calculate is One trade, from prices. |
| Exit price | selected currency | In some modes | Accepts 0 or more. Shown Calculate is One trade, from prices. |
| Position size | units | Optional | Accepts 0 or more. Shown Calculate is One trade, from prices. |
| R-multiples | text | In some modes | One per trade. A full stop-out is −1. Shown Calculate is A series of R-multiples. |
| Risk per trade | selected currency | Optional | Accepts 0 or more. Shown Calculate is A series of R-multiples. |
| Currency | one of 10 options | Optional | — |
How to use it
- Choose Calculate and Currency.
- Fill in the remaining inputs the form shows for your choice.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
A long entered at 100 with a stop at 95, exited at 115.
- Entry
- 100
- Stop
- 95
- Exit
- 115
- Direction
- Long
Risk is 5 per unit and reward 15, so the trade returned 3R. On 200 units that is 1,000 risked to make 3,000.
Frequently asked questions
Why measure trades in R rather than currency?
Because currency results depend on position size, which varies. R strips that out, so a track record reflects decision quality rather than how much capital happened to be deployed.
What is a good expectancy?
Anything above zero is profitable over enough trades. 0.2R to 0.5R per trade is a solid discretionary system; consistently above 1R is exceptional and worth checking for survivorship bias.
Method and sources
Method. Each outcome expressed as a multiple of the risk taken, where 1R is the distance from entry to stop, allowing trades of different sizes to be compared.
Assumptions
- Initial risk is defined at entry and not moved afterwards, which is what makes R comparable across trades.
Limitations
- Moving a stop after entry breaks the unit: the R-multiples that follow are no longer measured against the risk actually taken.
- R-multiples describe outcomes relative to risk, not profitability. A record of positive R with tiny position sizes earns little.