The Income Projection Calculator shows realistic monthly and yearly income based on your account size, win rate, and risk management. Use it to set achievable goals and plan your trading business.

What You'll Need

Your starting account balance
Win rate (% of trades that are profitable)
Average risk/reward ratio
Risk per trade (usually 1-2%)
Number of trades per month

Step-by-Step Instructions

1Enter Account Size

Your current trading capital.

Example: 10000 ($10,000 account)

2Enter Win Rate

What percentage of your trades are winners? Check your trading journal for the last 50+ trades.

Example: If you won 30 out of 50 trades:
Win Rate = (30 ÷ 50) × 100 = 60%

💡 Don't Know Your Win Rate?
Use conservative estimates:
• Beginners: 40-45%
• Intermediate: 50-55%
• Advanced: 60%+

3Enter Risk/Reward Ratio

What's your typical R:R?

Example: 1:2 (risk $100 to make $200)

4Enter Risk Per Trade

What % of your account do you risk on each trade?

Recommended: 1% for conservative
Aggressive: 2% (higher risk, higher volatility)

5Enter Trades Per Month

How many trades do you take monthly on average?

Scalpers: 100-200 trades/month
Day Traders: 40-80 trades/month
Swing Traders: 10-20 trades/month
Position Traders: 3-8 trades/month

6Review Projections

The calculator shows:

Monthly Income: Expected profit per month
Yearly Income: Projected annual earnings
Monthly ROI: Return on investment percentage
Expectancy: Average profit per trade

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Conservative Swing Trader

Account Size: $10,000
Win Rate: 55%
R:R Ratio: 1:2
Risk Per Trade: 1% ($100)
Trades Per Month: 15

Results:
• Wins per month: 8.25 (55% of 15)
• Losses per month: 6.75
• Win profit: 8.25 × $200 = $1,650
• Loss cost: 6.75 × $100 = -$675
• Monthly Income: $975
• Yearly Income: $11,700
• Monthly ROI: 9.75%

Example 2: Aggressive Day Trader

Account Size: $5,000
Win Rate: 60%
R:R Ratio: 1:1.5
Risk Per Trade: 2% ($100)
Trades Per Month: 60

Results:
• Wins per month: 36 (60% of 60)
• Losses per month: 24
• Win profit: 36 × $150 = $5,400
• Loss cost: 24 × $100 = -$2,400
• Monthly Income: $3,000
• Yearly Income: $36,000
• Monthly ROI: 60%

Example 3: Professional Position Trader

Account Size: $50,000
Win Rate: 50%
R:R Ratio: 1:3
Risk Per Trade: 1% ($500)
Trades Per Month: 6

Results:
• Wins per month: 3 (50% of 6)
• Losses per month: 3
• Win profit: 3 × $1,500 = $4,500
• Loss cost: 3 × $500 = -$1,500
• Monthly Income: $3,000
• Yearly Income: $36,000
• Monthly ROI: 6%

Understanding the Results

What's a Realistic Monthly ROI?

Trader Level	Monthly ROI	Yearly ROI	Risk Level
Conservative	3-5%	36-60%	Low
Moderate	5-10%	60-120%	Medium
Aggressive	10-20%	120-240%	High
Very Aggressive	20%+	240%+	Very High

⚠️ Reality Check: If calculator shows 30%+ monthly ROI, your inputs may be too optimistic. Professional hedge funds average 10-20% YEARLY. Recalibrate your expectations!

Account Size Matters

Account Size	1% Risk	Monthly Income (10% ROI)
$1,000	$10	$100
$5,000	$50	$500
$10,000	$100	$1,000
$25,000	$250	$2,500
$50,000	$500	$5,000
$100,000	$1,000	$10,000

💡 Key Insight: With proper risk management (1% risk), you need $100,000+ to make full-time income ($5,000-10,000/month). Start small, compound consistently.

Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: Unrealistic Win Rate

Entering 80% win rate because you had one good week. Use data from 50+ trades minimum.

❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Compounding

This calculator shows CURRENT account size projections. As your account grows, income grows too (if you don't withdraw).

❌ Mistake #3: Over-Trading to Hit Goals

Don't force trades just because calculator says you need X trades/month. Quality > quantity.

❌ Mistake #4: Not Accounting for Drawdowns

Calculator assumes consistent performance. Real trading has losing streaks. Budget for 20-30% drawdown periods.

How to Use Projections Effectively

Set Realistic Goals

If projections show $500/month but you need $3,000 to quit your job, don't quit yet. Grow your account first or adjust expectations.

Track Actual vs Projected

Compare real results to projections monthly. If you're consistently under, revisit your strategy or inputs.

Plan for Growth

Project where you'll be in 6 months, 12 months if you compound profits vs withdraw them.

Pro Tips

💡 Tip #1: Run 3 scenarios - Best case (high win rate), Base case (average), Worst case (low win rate). Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

💡 Tip #2: If projections are below your needs, focus on GROWING ACCOUNT SIZE first (compound), then withdraw income later.

💡 Tip #3: Update inputs quarterly. Your win rate and R:R improve with experience - projections should reflect current skill level.

💡 Tip #4: Use this with Break-Even Calculator to ensure your win rate exceeds minimum requirements before projecting income.

FAQ

Q: Why is my projected income so low?

A: Either small account, low trade frequency, or conservative R:R. This is REALISTIC. Most "get rich quick" claims are scams.

Q: Can I increase trades per month to boost income?

A: Only if quality setups exist. Forcing trades lowers win rate, which crashes income. Don't sacrifice quality.

Q: Should I compound or withdraw profits?

A: Compound until account reaches income goal size. Then withdraw a % (50-70%) and reinvest the rest.

Q: What if actual results don't match projections?

A: Projections assume consistency. Review: Are you following your plan? Is win rate accurate? Are you risk-managing properly?

Open Income Projection Calculator →