Forex bonus wagering requirements are the most confusing and misunderstood aspect of bonus promotions. When a broker says "trade 5 standard lots," what does that actually mean in number of trades, time commitment, and dollar cost? This guide translates lot requirements from broker jargon into practical numbers you can act on.
What Is a Wagering Requirement?
A wagering requirement (also called volume requirement or lot requirement) is the minimum trading volume you must complete before the broker allows you to withdraw profits from a bonus. It is measured in lots — units of currency volume.
The requirement exists because brokers want you to generate real trading activity (and spread revenue) before giving away bonus profits. Without wagering requirements, traders would claim bonuses and withdraw immediately without trading.
Understanding Lots — The Basics
| Lot Type | Size | Pip Value (EUR/USD) | Margin at 1:500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lot | 100,000 units | $10 per pip | $200 |
| Mini Lot | 10,000 units | $1 per pip | $20 |
| Micro Lot | 1,000 units | $0.10 per pip | $2 |
When a broker says "5 standard lots," they mean you must trade a total notional volume of 5 × 100,000 = 500,000 units of base currency. This is cumulative across all your trades — not per trade.
How to Calculate Trades Needed
Formula: Trades = Volume required ÷ Position size per trade
Example: Requirement is 5 standard lots. You trade 0.10 lots per trade.
5 ÷ 0.10 = 50 trades needed.
If you trade 0.01 lots: 5 ÷ 0.01 = 500 trades.
If you trade 0.50 lots: 5 ÷ 0.50 = 10 trades.
The larger your position size, the fewer trades you need — but the more risk per trade.
Examples for Every Major Bonus
| Bonus | Requirement | At 0.01 lots | At 0.10 lots | At 0.50 lots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM $30 | 0.10 std lots | 10 trades | 1 trade | N/A |
| RoboForex $30 | 3 std lots | 300 trades | 30 trades | 6 trades |
| Tickmill $30 | 5 std lots | 500 trades | 50 trades | 10 trades |
| Headway $100 | 10 std lots | 1,000 trades | 100 trades | 20 trades |
| FBS $140 | 40 std lots | 4,000 trades | 400 trades | 80 trades |
| InstaForex $1000 | 200 std lots | 20,000 trades | 2,000 trades | 400 trades |
The Hidden Cost: Spreads
Every trade costs you the spread. The total spread cost to meet a wagering requirement is:
Total spread cost = Volume (standard lots) × Spread (pips) × $10
- XM $30 (0.10 lots, 1.6 pip spread): 0.10 × 1.6 × $10 = $1.60
- Tickmill $30 (5 lots, 1.0 pip): 5 × 1.0 × $10 = $50
- FBS $140 (40 lots, 1.1 pip): 40 × 1.1 × $10 = $440
- InstaForex $1000 (200 lots, 3.0 pips): 200 × 3.0 × $10 = $6,000
If the spread cost exceeds your capital, the bonus is a mathematical trap. Only XM's bonus has a spread cost ($1.60) well below the starting capital ($30).
Volume Counting Rules
- Round-turn only: A trade counts when it is opened AND closed. Open positions do not count.
- No hedging: Opposite positions on the same pair are excluded everywhere.
- Minimum duration: Most brokers require 2-5 minute minimum hold time per trade.
- Eligible instruments: Some bonuses count only forex pairs. Check if gold, indices, crypto count.
- Cumulative: All qualifying trades across the bonus period are summed together.
10 micro lots. 10 trades. $1.60 spread cost. Done in 5 days. No other bonus comes close.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 5 standard lots mean in forex bonus terms?
Five standard lots means you must trade a cumulative volume of 500,000 units of base currency. At 0.10 lots per trade, this requires 50 individual trades. At 0.01 lots per trade, it requires 500 trades. Only closed round-turn trades count.
How is forex bonus volume calculated?
Volume is calculated by summing the lot size of every qualifying closed trade. A 0.10 lot trade adds 0.10 to your total. Hedged positions (buy and sell on same pair), trades held under minimum duration, and trades on non-eligible instruments are excluded.
What is the difference between micro lots and standard lots?
A standard lot = 100,000 units ($10/pip). A micro lot = 1,000 units ($0.10/pip). When a broker requires 10 micro lots, that equals 0.10 standard lots. When they require 5 standard lots, that equals 500 micro lots. Always convert to standard lots for comparison.
Which forex bonus has the lowest wagering requirement?
XM has by far the lowest: 10 micro lots (0.10 standard lots) with no time limit. The next closest is RoboForex at 3 standard lots (30x higher) with a 30-day limit. XM is the clear winner on wagering feasibility.
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.