01
Daily Loss Limit
Track the CE(S)T day reference and include open P&L in the personal threshold.
Partial coverageFTMO’s own calculation remains decisive.FTMO RULES & ACCOUNT PROTECTION
Protect an FTMO account around the correct challenge model.
FTMO 1-Step and 2-Step both show a 10% maximum-loss amount, but one trails the highest end-of-day balance while the other stays static. Their daily rules and qualification objectives also differ.
3% / 5%Daily loss
10%Maximum-loss amount
Trailing / staticModel difference
00:00 CE(S)TDaily reference
VERIFIED FTMO RULE MATRIX
The percentage is only useful with its calculation model.
Open P&L, swaps and commissions count in both models. A personal protection boundary must therefore respond to equity, not only closed trades.
| Model | Profit target | Maximum Daily Loss | Maximum Loss | Qualification | Protection implication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO Challenge: 1-StepChallenge + subsequent account | 10% challenge | 3%Balance at 00:00 CE(S)T minus 3% initial capital | 10% EOD trailingHighest midnight balance; moves up only | Best Day ≤50% of Positive Days’ Profit | Daily limit + trailing equity floor + Best Day monitor |
| FTMO Challenge: 2-StepChallenge · Verification · account | 10% / 5% | 5%Balance at 00:00 CE(S)T minus 5% initial capital | 10% static90% of initial simulated capital | 4 trading days in each evaluation phase | Daily limit + static equity floor + day monitor |
WHY THE MODEL MATTERS
1-Step headroom can shrink after profitable days.
The 1-Step maximum-loss floor follows the highest balance recorded at 00:00 CE(S)T and never moves down. A fixed 90% floor would therefore stop matching the official reference after account growth.
1-STEP OFFICIAL REFERENCEHighest midnight balance − 10% initial capitalMonitored against real-time equity.
ILLUSTRATIVE $100K SETUP
Put two personal boundaries before FTMO
- Official daily rule
- 3% or 5%
- Example personal daily limit
- 2.0% or 3.5%
- Example equity-floor buffer
- 2.0% above provider floor
Examples only. The trader selects and confirms the actual values.
MATCHING PROTECTION POLICIES
Use separate controls for daily loss, maximum loss and qualification.
02
Trailing or Static Equity Floor
Select the correct model: EOD trailing for 1-Step, static for 2-Step.
Partial coverageGaps and execution can cross a boundary.03
Best Day / Trading-day Monitor
Show qualification progress without treating it as a breach control.
Monitor-onlyFTMO decides qualification.OFFICIAL SOURCES
Rules checked directly against FTMO.
Last checked 18 August 2026.
PROTECT BEFORE THE FTMO LIMIT
Configure the correct daily and maximum-loss model.
Start from the official rule, then choose a stricter personal boundary and response.