What is a Standard Lot

A standard lot is the equivalent of 100,000 units of the base currency in a forex trade. A standard lot is similar to trade size. It is one of the three commonly known lot sizes; the other two are mini-lot and micro-lot. 

Basics of Standard Lot

A standard lot represents 100,000 units of any currency, whereas a mini-lot represents 10,000 and a micro-lot represents 1,000 units of any currency. A one-pip movement for a standard lot corresponds with a $10 change. For example, if you buy $100,000 against the Japanese yen at a rate of ¥110.00 and the exchange rate moves to ¥110.50, which is a 50 pip movement, you have made $500. Conversely, if the exchange rate falls 50 pips to ¥109.50 your net profit and loss is minus $500. 

With the advent of online brokers and increased competition it is possible for retail investors to make trades in amounts that aren't a standard lot, mini-lot, or micro-lot. For example, a nano-lot size consists of 100 units of a currency. In the interbank market, where banks trades with each other on platforms, such as Reuters and EBS, the standard trading size, or standard lot, is 1 million units in the base currency. 

Key Takeaways

  • Standard lots are the equivalent of 100,000 units of the base currency in a forex trade.
  • Online brokerages and increased competition have resulted in multiple forms and types of lot sizes.