Before claiming any forex bonus, you should calculate exactly what it takes to meet the requirements. How many trades? How many days? What are the spread costs? Will there be any profit left after meeting the volume? This guide provides the formulas and pre-calculated scenarios for every major bonus.
How to Use This Calculator
You need three numbers to calculate your requirement timeline:
- Volume required (in standard lots) — from your bonus terms
- Position size per trade (in lots) — based on your capital and risk tolerance
- Trades per day — how actively you plan to trade
Formula: Days needed = Volume required / (Position size × Trades per day)
The Core Formulas
Trades needed:
Trades = Volume required / Position size per trade
Days needed:
Trading days = Trades needed / Trades per day
Spread cost:
Total spread cost = Volume (in standard lots) × Average spread (in $) per standard lot
Break-even profit:
Break-even = Spread cost. You must generate this much gross profit just to cover trading costs.
Pre-Calculated Scenarios
| Bonus | Volume | Lot Size | Trades | Days (2 trades/day) | Spread Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM $30 | 0.10 std lots | 0.01 | 10 | 5 days | $1.60 |
| Tickmill $30 | 5 std lots | 0.10 | 50 | 25 days | $50 |
| RoboForex $30 | 3 std lots | 0.10 | 30 | 15 days | $39 |
| Headway $100 | 10 std lots | 0.20 | 50 | 25 days | $150 |
| FBS $140 | 40 std lots | 0.01 | 4,000 | 143/day for 28 days | $440 |
| InstaForex $1000 | 200 std lots | 0.50 | 400 | 200 days | $6,000 |
Break-Even Analysis
The break-even point shows how much gross profit you need just to cover spread costs:
| Bonus | Capital | Spread Cost | Spread as % of Capital | Achievable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM $30 | $30 | $1.60 | 5.3% | Easily |
| Tickmill $30 | $30 | $50 | 167% | Difficult |
| RoboForex $30 | $30 | $39 | 130% | Difficult |
| FBS $140 | $100 | $440 | 440% | Nearly impossible |
| InstaForex $1000 | $1,000 | $6,000 | 600% | Impossible |
Only XM's bonus has spread costs below the starting capital. Every other bonus requires you to generate more in gross profit than your starting capital just to cover spreads — before any net profit.
Spread Cost Calculator
To calculate your spread cost for any bonus:
- Find your broker's average EUR/USD spread (in pips)
- Convert to dollars: 1 pip on 1 standard lot = $10
- Multiply: Spread (pips) × $10 × Volume required (standard lots)
Example: XM spread 1.6 pips, volume 0.10 lots: 1.6 × $10 × 0.10 = $1.60 total spread cost.
Example: FBS spread 1.1 pips, volume 40 lots: 1.1 × $10 × 40 = $440 total spread cost.
Optimization Tips
- Trade EUR/USD only: Tightest spread on every broker — minimizes your per-trade cost
- Trade during London/New York overlap: Spreads are tightest (13:00-17:00 UTC)
- Use the largest position size your capital allows: Fewer trades = less total spread cost
- Track your progress daily: Check your lot counter to ensure you are on pace
$1.60 in spread costs to meet requirements with $30 capital. The only bonus where math works in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trades do I need for the XM $30 bonus?
Only 10 trades at 0.01 lots each. At 2 trades per day, you can complete the requirement in 5 trading days. The total spread cost is approximately $1.60 — negligible compared to the $30 capital.
How do I calculate spread cost for a bonus?
Multiply the broker average spread (in pips) by $10 (pip value per standard lot) by the required volume (in standard lots). Example: 1.6 pips × $10 × 0.10 lots = $1.60 for XM. For FBS: 1.1 × $10 × 40 = $440.
What if spread costs exceed my bonus capital?
If the total spread cost to meet requirements exceeds your bonus capital, the bonus is mathematically designed to deplete your account before you can withdraw. This is the case for FBS ($440 spread on $100), InstaForex ($6,000 on $1,000), and others.
Which bonus has the best spread-to-capital ratio?
XM has the best ratio by far: $1.60 spread cost on $30 capital (5.3%). Every other no deposit bonus has spread costs exceeding 100% of capital, making profitable withdrawal extremely difficult.
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.