Commission Calculator
Calculate your total trading costs including spread, commission, and swap fees.
Trade Details
⚡ Results update automatically as you type
Cost Breakdown
Based on current settings per trade
Understanding Trading Costs
Spread
The difference between bid and ask price. Charged once when you enter. Major pairs have lower spreads (0.5-1.5 pips) than exotic pairs.
Commission
Fixed fee per lot charged by ECN/RAW brokers. Usually $5-10 round-trip. Zero-commission accounts have wider spreads instead.
Swap/Rollover
Overnight interest charged or paid for holding positions. Based on interest rate differentials. Can be positive or negative.
📊 Account Type Comparison
| Account Type | Typical Spread | Commission | Total Cost/Lot | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1.5-2.0 pips | $0 | $15-20 | Beginners, Swing traders |
| ECN/RAW | 0.1-0.5 pips | $5-7 | $6-12 | Active traders, Scalpers |
| Zero Spread | 0.0 pips | $10-15 | $10-15 | News traders, Hedgers |
📐 Cost Calculation Formulas
Spread Cost = Spread (pips) × Pip Value × Lots Commission Cost = Commission per Lot × Lots Swap Cost = Daily Swap × Lots × Days Total Cost = Spread Cost + Commission + Swap Cost Spread = 1.0 × $10 × 1 = $10
Commission = $7 × 1 = $7
Swap = $6.50 × 1 × 1 = $6.50
Total = $10 + $7 + $6.50 = $23.50
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a commission calculator in forex trading?
A commission calculator is a tool that calculates your total trading costs including spread, commission fees, and swap charges. Our commission calculator helps forex traders understand the true cost of each trade and compare broker pricing structures.
How do I calculate forex commission costs?
Total Cost = Spread Cost + Commission + Swap. Spread Cost = Spread (pips) × Pip Value × Lots. Commission Cost = Commission per Lot × Lots. Swap Cost = Daily Swap × Lots × Days. Our commission calculator computes all components instantly.
Should I choose spread-only or commission account?
For active traders (5+ trades/day), ECN/RAW accounts with low spreads + commission are usually cheaper. For swing traders (few trades/week), spread-only accounts may be simpler. Use our commission calculator to compare actual costs using both models.
How do I reduce trading costs?
Trade major pairs (lower spreads), use ECN accounts for high volume, avoid holding overnight to skip swap fees, trade during high liquidity times (London/NY overlap), and consider rebate programs. Our commission calculator helps you identify the biggest cost factors.
Why do trading costs matter for profitability?
Trading costs directly reduce your profits. If you make 50 pips but pay 3 pips in costs, your net is 47 pips (6% reduction). For scalpers targeting 5-10 pips, costs can eat 30-50% of profits. Use our commission calculator to optimize your cost structure.
Are swap-free accounts better?
Swap-free (Islamic) accounts avoid overnight interest but often have wider spreads or admin fees instead. Use our commission calculator to compare total costs for your trading style. For day traders closing before rollover, swap-free isn't necessary.
How do I compare forex brokers fairly?
Calculate total cost per trade using the same settings. Include spread + commission + swap. Check costs during different times (spreads widen in low liquidity). Our commission calculator helps standardize comparisons. Also consider execution quality - slippage is a hidden cost.
What is a typical forex commission per lot?
ECN/RAW accounts typically charge $5-10 per round-trip lot. Standard accounts charge $0 commission but have wider spreads (1.5-3 pips). Zero-spread accounts may charge $10-15 commission. Our commission calculator shows total effective cost regardless of structure.
How do commissions affect scalping profitability?
Scalping is highly sensitive to costs because profit targets are small (5-15 pips). A 2-pip effective cost on a 10-pip target means 20% of profit goes to costs. Scalpers should use ECN accounts with sub-1-pip spreads. Our commission calculator projects annual costs for active traders.
What is the difference between round-trip and per-side commission?
Round-trip commission is the total cost for opening AND closing a trade. Per-side commission is charged separately for entry and exit. If a broker quotes $3.50 per side, round-trip is $7. Our commission calculator uses round-trip for accurate cost calculations.