Gold (XAUUSD) Contract Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Contract size | 100 oz per standard lot |
| $1.00 price move | $100 per standard lot |
| Pip (this tool) | 0.1 = $10 per lot |
| Tick (some brokers) | 0.01 = $1 per lot |
| Margin at 1:100 | ~$3,312 per lot |
| Margin at 1:500 | ~$662 per lot |
Why Gold Pip Values Confuse Traders
The confusion comes from the pip definition. Some brokers call a $0.10 move one pip on gold, others call a $0.01 move one pip, so a "20 pip" gold stop can mean two very different distances. Sizing with a dollar stop sidesteps the whole problem: you decide the trade is wrong at, say, $5.00 against you, and the calculator does the rest.
Gold is also more volatile than most forex pairs, so a stop that would be wide on EURUSD can be tight on XAUUSD. Give the trade room with a dollar-based stop, then let position sizing shrink the lot so the wider stop still costs only your intended risk.
