Wagering requirements are the most important (and most overlooked) aspect of any forex bonus. A generous-sounding bonus with brutal wagering conditions is worth less than a modest bonus with fair terms. Understanding how these conditions work is essential before claiming any offer.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements (also called lot requirements, volume conditions, or turnover requirements) define the minimum amount of trading you must complete before you can withdraw profits earned from a bonus.
They are expressed in one of two ways:
- Lots per dollar of bonus: "5 standard lots per $1 of bonus" — this means a $100 bonus requires 500 standard lots of trading.
- Flat lot amount: "Trade 10 standard lots to unlock withdrawal" — regardless of bonus size.
One standard lot equals 100,000 units of the base currency. So trading 1 standard lot of EUR/USD means buying or selling 100,000 euros.
How to Calculate Lot Requirements
The formula is straightforward:
Total Lots Required = Bonus Amount x Lot Requirement Ratio
Let us calculate some real-world examples:
| Scenario | Bonus | Requirement | Total Lots | Trades Needed* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM No Deposit | $30 | ~3 lots/$1 | ~90 lots | 90 trades at 1.0 lot |
| XM Deposit (50%) | $250 | ~3 lots/$1 | ~750 lots | 750 trades at 1.0 lot |
| FBS No Deposit | $140 | ~5 lots/$1 | ~700 lots | 700 trades at 1.0 lot |
| Aggressive broker | $500 | 10 lots/$1 | 5,000 lots | 5,000 trades at 1.0 lot |
*Assuming each trade is exactly 1 standard lot. In practice, you can use micro lots (0.01), but it takes proportionally more trades.
Broker Wagering Comparison
The difference between brokers is dramatic. Here is how the major bonus brokers compare on wagering difficulty:
| Broker | Bonus Type | Requirement | Time Limit | Fairness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM | No Deposit $30 | ~3 lots/$1 | No limit | Excellent |
| XM | Deposit 50%+20% | ~3 lots/$1 | No limit | Excellent |
| FBS | No Deposit $140 | ~5 lots/$1 | 14 days | Poor |
| InstaForex | No Deposit $1,000 | ~25 lots/$1 | 7 days | Very Poor |
| RoboForex | Welcome $30 | ~4 lots/$1 | 30 days | Fair |
As you can see, XM's wagering requirements are the fairest in the industry — both in ratio and time limit. This is why we consistently rank them first.
No time limit. Low lot-per-dollar ratio. Micro lots count. That is how a fair bonus works.
What Counts Toward Volume
Not all trades count equally toward wagering requirements. Here is what typically applies:
- Standard lots (1.0): Always count fully.
- Mini lots (0.1): Count as 0.1 standard lots.
- Micro lots (0.01): Count as 0.01 standard lots. This is the smallest unit that counts.
- Hedged trades: Most brokers do NOT count simultaneous opposing positions. If you buy and sell EUR/USD at the same time, neither trade counts.
- Scalping under 2 minutes: Some brokers exclude trades held for less than 2-5 minutes. Check the specific terms.
- All instruments: Most brokers count volume from forex, metals, indices, and commodities toward the same requirement.
Are Wagering Requirements Realistic?
Let us put the numbers in perspective. A trader who trades 1 standard lot per day (a very active retail trader) would need:
- XM $30 bonus (90 lots): About 90 trading days (~4.5 months). Achievable.
- FBS $140 bonus (700 lots): About 700 trading days (~3 years). Plus you only have 14 days. Impossible.
- InstaForex $1,000 bonus (25,000 lots): About 25,000 trading days (~100 years). Obviously impossible.
The lesson is clear: the bonus amount means nothing if the wagering requirements are unrealistic. A small bonus with fair terms (like XM's $30) is infinitely more valuable than a large bonus with impossible terms.
Tips for Meeting Requirements
- Trade normally: Do not change your strategy to meet requirements faster. Overtrading leads to losses that exceed the bonus value.
- Use micro lots: Trade 0.01 lots with tight risk management. You will meet the requirement slowly but safely.
- Choose high-volume pairs: EUR/USD and GBP/USD have tight spreads, allowing you to trade more lots without excessive cost.
- Avoid hedging: Simultaneous opposing positions waste your margin without counting toward volume.
- Do not rush: Bonuses with no time limit (like XM) allow you to trade at your natural pace. Use this advantage.
- Track your progress: Most brokers show your current lot volume in the members area. Check regularly so you know when you are close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wagering requirements (also called lot requirements or volume conditions) are the minimum amount of trading you must complete before you can withdraw bonus profits. They are expressed as a number of standard lots relative to the bonus amount, for example "5 lots per $1 of bonus".
Multiply the bonus amount by the lot requirement ratio. For example, a $250 bonus with a 5 lots/$1 requirement means you must trade 1,250 standard lots. One standard lot equals 100,000 units of the base currency. Micro lots (0.01) usually count proportionally.
Generally, 1-3 lots per $1 of bonus is considered fair and achievable. Requirements of 5+ lots per $1 are aggressive, and 10+ lots per $1 are nearly impossible to meet profitably. Always calculate the total volume needed before claiming a bonus.
Yes, with most brokers including XM. A micro lot (0.01 standard lots) counts as 0.01 toward your volume requirement. This means you can meet requirements gradually with smaller position sizes, though it will take longer.
Trading forex and CFDs involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. BonusForex100 contains affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.