Mini Lot
A mini lot is a smaller standardised trade size, commonly used in forex. It is typically 10,000 units of the base currency, and is often shown as 0.10 lots.
In plain English: "A mini lot is one-tenth of a standard lot."
Mini lots can help you trade with smaller pip values, which is often better for learning and risk control.
What Is a Mini Lot?
In spot forex, lot sizes are commonly structured as follows:
| Lot type | Typical size | Platform label |
|---|---|---|
| Standard lot | 100,000 units | 1.00 lots |
| Mini lot | 10,000 units | 0.10 lots |
| Micro lot | 1,000 units | 0.01 lots |
| Nano lot | 100 units | 0.001 lots |
⚠️ Important
This "lot = units" mapping is typical for spot forex. On CFDs, 1 lot can mean something else (contracts, notional size, etc.). Always check the instrument specification in your platform.
Mini Lot vs Standard Lot vs Micro Lot
- Mini lot (0.10): 10,000 units → 10× smaller than standard.
- Standard lot (1.00): 100,000 units → larger pip value and larger risk per pip.
- Micro lot (0.01): 1,000 units → often better for very small accounts or early learning.
💡 Scaling Idea
If you increase size from 0.10 to 0.20 lots, you roughly double your pip value and your P&L swings (ignoring conversion differences).
How Mini Lots Affect Risk
The key risk lever is not "mini vs standard". It is your money risk if the stop-loss is hit.
- Smaller size: smaller P&L per pip → easier to survive normal volatility.
- Larger size: larger P&L per pip → faster drawdowns and margin pressure.
⚠️ Beginner Rule
Choose your position size based on a fixed % risk (e.g., 0.5%–1% per trade) and your stop distance — not on a "lot label".
Examples: Mini Lot in Practice
Example 1: Position size
You buy 0.10 lots of EUR/USD → roughly 10,000 EUR notional exposure.
Example 2: Stop-loss planning
If your stop is 25 pips away, your risk is approximately: pip value × 25 (plus spread/fees). Mini lots help keep that pip value smaller.
Example 3: Scaling up
Moving from 0.10 lots to 0.50 lots increases your size by 5× — your P&L swings per pip also increase by about 5×.
When Does a Mini Lot Make Sense?
Mini lots are often useful when:
- You are learning and want manageable P&L swings.
- You have a smaller account and want tighter risk control.
- Your strategy uses relatively wide stops (so you need smaller size).
- You want to scale in/out gradually without huge jumps in risk.
⚠️ Practical Tip
If you feel emotionally "attached" to the money movement on each tick/pip, your size is likely too big. Mini or micro lots can fix that.
Common Misconceptions
- "Mini lots are always safe."
They're smaller, but you can still over-leverage if your account is tiny or your stop is too tight. - "Lot size equals risk."
Risk = position size × stop distance × pip value (plus costs). Lots are only one part. - "CFDs use the same lot definitions."
Not always. CFD contract sizes vary by broker and instrument.
✅ Quick Checkpoint
Try answering before expanding the model answers.
1) What is a mini lot in spot forex?
Typically 10,000 units of the base currency, often shown as 0.10 lots.
2) How does a mini lot compare to a standard lot?
It is one-tenth the size (10,000 vs 100,000 units).
3) What is the best way to choose your lot size?
Choose size based on planned money risk and stop distance, not the lot label.
Next lesson: Micro lot.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mini Lots
Is 0.10 lots always a mini lot?
In spot forex, yes, 0.10 lots is commonly treated as a mini lot. On CFDs, "0.10 lot" could mean something different depending on contract specification.
Can I trade in units instead of lots?
Some brokers allow unit-based trading (e.g., 12,345 units). This can be simpler for beginners and offers more precise sizing.
Why do brokers offer micro and nano lots?
To help smaller accounts control risk and to allow traders to practise with realistic execution while keeping P&L swings small.
What lot size is best for beginners?
There is no single best. Many beginners start with micro lots or small mini-lot sizes, but the correct approach is risk-based sizing: keep money risk per trade small and consistent.
Summary
A mini lot in spot forex is typically 10,000 units (0.10 lots). It reduces pip value compared to a standard lot, which often helps with learning and risk control. Choose lot size based on planned money risk and stop distance.
Next lesson: Micro lot.