The Dow Jones CFD has the largest point count of the US indices — an ordinary session covers 300–500 points — and on most brokers one lot moves $1 per point. The high point count is why US30 stops look enormous next to forex stops and why traders who size it like a currency pair blow through their risk limit on the first trade. This calculator returns the lot size for your balance, risk and stop in points.
US30 (Dow Jones) CFD contract facts
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard lot | 1 contract, $1 per index point on most brokers (some use $5 or $10) |
| Micro lot (0.01) | $0.01 per point |
| Move of 1 point, 1 lot | $1 |
| Move of 100 points, 1 lot | $100 |
| Typical spread | 1–4 points during US hours; wider overnight |
| Typical daily range | roughly 300–500 points; 800+ on Fed and CPI days |
| Most liquid hours | US cash session, 13:30–20:00 UTC |
The calculator treats one "pip" as one index point at $1 per lot. If your broker's contract pays $5 or $10 per point, divide the result by that figure. The E-mini Dow future (YM) pays $5 per point; the micro (MYM) pays $0.50.
The lot size formula for US30
Lot size = (Account balance × Risk %) ÷ (Stop in points × $1)Example 1 — $10,000 account, 1% risk, 100-point stop:
- Risk amount: $100
- Loss per lot: $100
- Lot size: 1.00 lot
Example 2 — $5,000 account, 1% risk, 150-point stop:
- Risk amount: $50
- Lot size: 0.33 lots
Example 3 — $100,000 prop-firm account, 0.5% risk, 120-point stop:
- Risk amount: $500
- Lot size: 4.17 lots
Quick reference: US30 lot size at 1% risk
| Account | 50-point stop | 100-point stop | 150-point stop | 300-point stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 0.20 | 0.10 | 0.07 | 0.03 |
| $5,000 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 0.33 | 0.17 |
| $10,000 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.67 | 0.33 |
| $50,000 | 10.00 | 5.00 | 3.33 | 1.67 |
| $100,000 | 20.00 | 10.00 | 6.67 | 3.33 |
Halve for 0.5% risk; double for 2%.
What makes US30 different
- The point count is large because the index level is large. At 40,000, a 1% move is 400 points. Stops of 100–200 points that look enormous are 0.25–0.5% of price — normal intraday distances.
- It is price-weighted. A handful of high-priced constituents move the index disproportionately; a single large stock's earnings can gap the Dow while the S&P barely moves.
- Spreads are wider than the S&P's. 2–4 points on a good account, more overnight. On a 50-point stop that is up to 8% of the distance — add it.
- The open is violent. The first 15–30 minutes after 13:30 UTC often produce 150–250-point swings. Full-size positions at the open are sized for the wrong market.
- It moves with the other US indices, less so with tech. On days when NAS100 and US30 diverge, the Dow is usually following rates and cyclicals rather than growth stocks.
Common US30 sizing mistakes
- Forex-sized stops. A 20-point stop on the Dow is inside the spread's range during the open. Intraday traders typically use 80–200 points.
- Reusing S&P lot sizes. The same 4 lots that risk $100 on a 25-point S&P stop risk $400 on a 100-point Dow stop.
- Wrong contract multiplier. A $10-per-point contract is ten times the risk this page assumes. Check the specification.
- Sizing into the open. Halve the risk for the first half-hour or wait.
- Stacking US30 with SPX500. They are the same bet most of the time.
Track your US30 trades in Fips
Fips's free trading journal records every index trade with its point result, R-multiple and time of day, so you can see whether your open-hour trades are the ones eating your buffer and whether your stops survive the Dow's range. Connect an MT4, MT5 or cTrader account and trades import automatically. Backtest a US30 setup to find its worst losing streak on historical data before you size it live, and use the economic calendar for Fed and CPI dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 1 point on US30?
$1 per lot on most CFD brokers; $5 or $10 on some. A 100-point move is $100 per lot at $1 per point.
What lot size should I use on a $10,000 US30 account?
At 1% risk and a 100-point stop, 1 lot. At a 150-point stop, 0.67 lots. At a 300-point stop, 0.33 lots.
What is a reasonable stop loss on the Dow?
Intraday setups commonly use 80–200 points, 4-hour setups 250–500, daily setups 600–1,200. Widen it at the open and on data days.
Is US30 the same as DJ30 or Wall Street 30?
Yes — different tickers for the same Dow Jones Industrial Average CFD. The point value differs by broker, so check the specification.