How Many Lots to Clear a Deposit Bonus
Every bonus’s value comes down to one number: the lots you must trade to unlock it. Here’s how to work it out from any broker’s terms.
Last updated 28 July 2026 · Reviewed by Tim Morris
Convert the requirement into standard lots
Brokers state turnover in different units, so always convert to standard lots (100,000 units):
- “X× the bonus in lots.” A 3× rule on a $500 bonus = 1,500 bonus-lots. If a “bonus-lot” is 0.1 of a standard lot, that’s 150 standard lots.
- “Lots = a % of the bonus.” A 35%-of-bonus rule on a $1,000 bonus = 350 lots of closed volume.
- “One lot per $X of bonus.” At one lot per $3, a $300 bonus needs 100 standard lots.
Then work out the cost
Multiply the lots by your round-turn cost per lot (spread + commission). At, say, $7 a lot, 150 standard lots costs about $1,050 to trade through — which on a $500 bonus means the “free” money costs more than it’s worth unless you’d trade that volume anyway.
Is it realistic for you?
Compare the required lots to how much you actually trade in a typical month. If clearing the bonus would force you to over-trade — bigger or more frequent positions than your plan calls for — the bonus is working against you, because losses come out of your real funds first. Our calculator turns any deposit and turnover into a clear cost and verdict.
Frequently asked questions
› How many lots do I need to clear a forex bonus?
It depends on the broker’s formula. Convert their requirement into standard lots: a “3× the bonus” rule on a $500 bonus is 1,500 bonus-lots (and if one bonus-lot is 0.1 of a standard lot, that’s 150 standard lots). Light offers clear in a lot or two; heavy ones run into the hundreds.
› How long does it take to clear a bonus?
As long as it takes to trade the required volume — which depends on your position sizes and frequency, not a calendar. Watch for time limits: many bonuses expire if you don’t clear the volume within a set window.