How to Calculate the Lots You Need to Withdraw a Forex No Deposit Bonus
If you want to withdraw a forex no deposit bonus, the number that matters most is not the headline amount. It is the trading volume you must complete first. A no deposit bonus lets you keep the profit you make, but only after you trade a required number of standard lots within a deadline, usually 30 to 90 days, and only up to a profit cap that is often $50 to $100. This guide shows you how to calculate the lots an offer requires, estimate what that volume costs in spreads, and decide whether the payout is worth your time. It also explains how to narrow down offers by region and trading platform.
The headline figure, whether $30, $50 or $100, tells you very little about an offer's real value. Two numbers matter far more: how much trading you must do before withdrawing, and how much you are allowed to take out at the end. Learn to calculate both, and you can compare any two no deposit bonuses in a few minutes.
Step 1: Understand What a Lot Is
Volume targets are almost always stated in standard lots, so it helps to know how lot sizes translate into trade size. The approximate pip values below are for EUR/USD.
| Lot Size | Units of Base Currency | Approx. Pip Value on EUR/USD |
|---|---|---|
| Standard lot (1.00) | 100,000 | ~$10 per pip |
| Mini lot (0.10) | 10,000 | ~$1 per pip |
| Micro lot (0.01) | 1,000 | ~$0.10 per pip |
Because volume is totalled in standard lots, ten trades of 0.10 lots count as 1 lot in total, and a hundred trades of 0.01 lots also count as 1 lot. Smaller positions are a practical way to reach a volume target without taking on large individual risks.
Step 2: Find the Volume Rule in the Terms
Brokers usually express the volume requirement in one of two ways:
- A fixed target. For example, xChief's promotion page requires 30 lots within 30 days.
- A ratio to profit. For example, a set number of lots, anywhere from 1 to 5, for every $10 of profit you want to withdraw.
Ratio-based rules scale with your results. The more profit you want to withdraw, the more you must trade. Fixed targets are simpler to plan around because the required volume does not change with your profit.
Step 3: Calculate the Lots You Need
For a ratio-based rule, use this formula:
Required lots = (Profit you want to withdraw ÷ $10) × lots per $10
Example: to withdraw $50 at 2 lots per $10, the calculation is (50 ÷ 10) × 2 = 10 lots.
The table below shows illustrative results across three common ratios.
| Profit to Withdraw | At 1 Lot per $10 | At 3 Lots per $10 | At 5 Lots per $10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30 | 3 lots | 9 lots | 15 lots |
| $50 | 5 lots | 15 lots | 25 lots |
| $100 | 10 lots | 30 lots | 50 lots |
Illustrative calculations. Check the exact ratio, eligible instruments and counting rules in each broker's terms.
Step 4: Estimate What That Volume Costs
Every lot you trade pays the spread, and sometimes a commission. That cost is taken from your bonus balance, so your profitable trades must first cover it. A simple way to estimate the cost is:
Spread cost ≈ lots × spread in pips × $10 (EUR/USD, standard lot)
| Lots Required | Cost at 1 Pip | Cost at 2 Pips |
|---|---|---|
| 3 lots | ~$30 | ~$60 |
| 10 lots | ~$100 | ~$200 |
| 30 lots | ~$300 | ~$600 |
Illustrative only. Spreads on bonus accounts are often wider than on standard accounts, so the real cost may be higher.
Step 5: Apply the Profit Cap and the Deadline
Two final limits decide what you actually receive:
- Profit cap. Most no deposit accounts cap the payout at around $50 to $100, however much profit you generate. xChief, for example, caps withdrawals at $100.
- Deadline. The volume must be completed within the expiry window, usually 30 to 90 days. If you miss it, the bonus and any profit are typically cancelled.
Worked Example
The example below uses a hypothetical offer to show how the pieces fit together.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bonus credit | $30 |
| Volume rule | 2 lots per $10 withdrawn |
| Profit cap | $50 |
| Lots needed to withdraw $50 | (50 ÷ 10) × 2 = 10 lots |
| Deadline | 30 days, about 0.33 lots per calendar day, or about 0.5 lots per trading day if you trade roughly 20 days |
| Approx. spread cost at 1 pip | ~$100 |
Hypothetical offer for illustration.
In this example, you would need roughly $150 of gross trading profit: $100 to cover spreads and $50 to withdraw, starting from a $30 balance. That is possible, but it shows why the realistic goal of most no deposit bonuses is testing a broker rather than earning meaningful money.
Is the Offer Worth It?
- The lots required are achievable within the deadline using small positions.
- The estimated spread cost is reasonable compared with the profit cap.
- The profit cap justifies the time you will spend completing the volume.
If the cost is far bigger than the cap, treat the bonus purely as a free platform test. You can compare current options on our forex no deposit bonus page or review the best no deposit bonus list before you decide.
Narrowing Down Offers by Location
Many tier-1 regulators restrict trading incentives for retail clients, so no deposit bonuses are generally available only to international clients outside the EU, UK and US. Even then, each broker sets its own country list, and those lists change.
| Your Region | What to Expect | Example |
|---|---|---|
| EU, UK, US | Generally not eligible | Tickmill's Welcome Account excludes US and EU residents |
| South and Southeast Asia | Many offers, but check exclusions | xChief excludes India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Vietnam |
| Africa | Many offers, but check exclusions | xChief also excludes Nigeria |
| Latin America, Middle East | Often eligible via international entities | Confirm on each promotion page |
Exclusions for xChief and Tickmill are based on each broker's published terms at the time of writing. Country lists change regularly.
Before you register, work through this checklist:
- Open the bonus terms and search for "restricted" or "eligible countries".
- Check which entity will hold your account and verify its licence.
- Confirm the withdrawal methods available in your country, such as bank transfer, card or e-wallet.
- Ask support in writing if your country is not clearly listed.
Narrowing Down Offers by Platform: MT4 vs MT5
No deposit bonuses are often tied to a specific account type, and that account may run on only one platform. Decide which platform you want to learn on, then check that the bonus supports it.
| Platform | Strengths | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Simple, widely supported, large library of indicators and Expert Advisors | Forex-focused beginners |
| MT5 | More timeframes and order types, multi-asset, built-in economic calendar | Traders who want more tools and assets |
| Broker's own app | Simplified interface, often mobile-first | Complete beginners and task-based offers |
Platform support varies by offer:
- Tickmill: the Welcome Account runs on MT4, and Expert Advisors are not allowed. See our Tickmill review for more detail.
- xChief: the bonus is claimed through the xChief mobile app.
- Mitrade: task-based rewards are built around its own beginner-friendly platform.
- XM, RoboForex and InstaForex: check which platform the bonus account supports in your region before you register.
Quick Comparison of Popular Current Offers
The figures below are approximate and reflect the terms summarised for this guide. Offers change, so confirm each one on the broker's official website.
| Broker | Approx. Bonus | Key Rule to Calculate |
|---|---|---|
| xChief | ~$100 | 30 lots in 30 days; $100 maximum withdrawal |
| Mitrade | ~$50 to $100 | Task tiers; check which tasks unlock rewards |
| XM Group | ~$30 to $50 | Standard lot requirements after verification |
| RoboForex | ~$30 | Standard volume requirements; check activation deposit |
| Tickmill | ~$30 | 60 days; $30 to $100 profit transferable after a $100 Wallet deposit |
| InstaForex | ~$30 | Moderate volume requirements |
Bonuses have terms and conditions, including trading volume requirements and withdrawal rules. Read them carefully on the broker's site before you open an account, and only use an offer if you understand every condition.
Key Takeaways
To withdraw a forex no deposit bonus, you need to work out four things: the lots required, the cost of trading them, the profit cap and the deadline. Once you have those numbers, you can judge whether an offer is realistic. Then filter offers by your country and your preferred platform, and confirm the terms directly with the broker.
Used properly, a no deposit bonus is best treated as a zero-upfront way to test a broker's execution, platform and withdrawal process. Trading forex and CFDs with leverage carries a high risk of losing money quickly, so never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
FAQ
How do I calculate the lots needed to withdraw?
If the rule is a ratio, divide the profit you want to withdraw by $10 and multiply by the lots required per $10. If it is a fixed target, such as 30 lots, that is the number you must reach.
Do micro lots count toward the volume target?
Usually yes, because volume is totalled in standard lots, so 100 trades of 0.01 lots equal 1 lot. Check whether minimum trade durations or eligible instruments apply to your offer.
How long do I have to complete the volume?
Deadlines are typically 30 to 90 days, depending on the broker and the specific offer. Confirm the exact window in the bonus terms.
Can I use MT5 with a no deposit bonus?
It depends on the broker and the bonus account. Some offers, such as Tickmill's Welcome Account, run on MT4 only, so confirm the platform before you register.
Why isn't the bonus available in my country?
Regulators in the EU, UK and US restrict trading incentives for retail clients, and brokers also exclude other countries under their own policies. Check the eligible countries list in the terms.