Short answer: Technically very little: many brokers accept $10–100. But a useful starting amount is whatever lets you risk around 1% per trade at sensible position sizes. For most people that’s somewhere between $500 and $2,000, and only money you can afford to lose.
Minimum deposit vs a workable balance
A broker’s minimum deposit is just the entry ticket. Many of the brokers we track accept $0–100. What matters is whether your balance lets you trade sensible sizes without risking too much on any one trade.
The 1% rule, in numbers
| Account | 1% risk per trade | With a 20-pip stop on EUR/USD, position size |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | $2 | 0.01 lots (micro) |
| $1,000 | $10 | 0.05 lots |
| $5,000 | $50 | 0.25 lots |
Below about $500, even micro lots make it hard to keep risk to 1% with a sensible stop. That’s why so many small accounts end up over-leveraged.
Start with a demo, then small
- Use a demo until you can follow your own rules. See how long to use a demo account.
- Start live with money you’d be fine losing entirely.
- Check the broker’s micro-lot support and minimum trade size.
Filter brokers by minimum deposit on our compare page.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
