FTMO rules (2026), explained
FTMO is the best-known CFD prop firm in the world. Its reputation was built on clear rules and a static drawdown (not trailing), making it one of the most trader-friendly. What kills accounts here isn't some obscure rule: it's the 5% daily loss.
verified against a real account CFD / Forex
FTMO limits by account size
How much you can lose before blowing up, by size:
| Account | Daily loss (5%) | Max DD (10%) |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
Calculator: how much room before you blow up?
Daily loss: the rule that kills the most accounts
FTMO lets you lose up to 5% in a single day. If your equity (floating included) touches that floor, the account is gone — even if it recovers afterwards. It's the limit that quietly blows up the most accounts, because one big trade or a bad-day streak is enough.
Maximum drawdown (10% static)
FTMO's total loss cap is 10%. Being static, the floor doesn't rise when you win: it's always measured against the initial balance. That's good — it gives you room as you grow.
Consistency
On FTMO's flagship program, consistency does not block the evaluation. FTMO has no hard consistency % cap — only a soft payout guideline (no disproportionate trade). It does not block the challenge.
News window
FTMO restricts trading around high-impact news: ±2 min window. CONFIRMED (ftmo.com): ±2 min around selected news on targeted instruments (Standard accounts). You can HOLD if you opened +2min earlier. Swing is exempt.
Prohibited strategies
- latency arbitrage
- reverse arbitrage
- tick scalping exploits
- cross-account hedging
PropGuard stops you before you break these FTMO rules
Connect your FTMO account, keep trading your strategy, and PropGuard watches every limit live (daily loss, drawdown, consistency, quick strike, news). When you get close to the edge it auto-closes or blocks — before a technicality kills your account.
See plans (from 19 USDT) →Frequently asked questions about FTMO rules
What is FTMO's daily loss limit?
FTMO's daily loss limit is 5% of balance/equity. Breach it in a day and you lose the account.
What is FTMO's maximum drawdown?
FTMO's maximum drawdown is 10% (static).
Does FTMO have a consistency rule?
On its flagship program, not in the evaluation. FTMO has no hard consistency % cap — only a soft payout guideline (no disproportionate trade). It does not block the challenge.
Does PropGuard work with FTMO?
Yes. PropGuard runs with your strategy on FTMO (MT4/MT5) and auto-stops you before breaking the daily loss, drawdown and other rules.
See also: all firms · comparison.
Research values (May 2026) from public sources and official help centers. Each firm runs several programs with different values; this models the flagship. Verify against the exact product ToS before trading. PropGuard is not affiliated with FTMO.