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Trading Expectancy Calculator in R Multiples

Win rate alone does not describe a strategy. A system can win frequently and still lose money if its losing trades are large. This calculator combines an assumed win rate, average winning R multiple, average losing R multiple and per-trade costs. One R is your chosen reference risk unit. The output is arithmetic expectancy under those inputs, not proof that the assumptions will remain true or that a strategy has a measurable edge.

Explicit assumptionsFormula & methodology includedNo account required

Set your assumptions

CALCULATE LOCALLY

Default values are an illustrative scenario, not current market quotes. Use consistent quote-currency units across your inputs.

Your scenario

ESTIMATED RESULT
Expected R per trade0.3
Expected total R30
Break-even win rate35%
Expectancy in R = win probability × average win R − loss probability × average loss R − cost R. Break-even win probability = (average loss R + cost R) / (average win R + average loss R).

R means one fixed unit of initial trade risk. Results are arithmetic expectations, not forecasts; dependence, changing position size and tail losses are excluded.

Shared links contain the input values. Share only information you intend to make public.

Explore how the result changes

Sensitivity analysis: only the selected input changes. Other assumptions stay fixed. Points outside the model’s valid range are excluded. This is not a forecast.

Read methodology ↗

The expectancy calculation

Multiply the win probability by the average winning amount, subtract the loss probability multiplied by the average losing amount, then subtract costs. Keep all payoff and cost inputs in the same R unit.

At a 40% win rate, average win of 2R and average loss of 1R, the pre-cost expectancy is 0.2R per trade. A cost of 0.05R reduces the scenario expectancy to 0.15R.

Why sample quality matters

Estimated win rates and payoffs can be unstable when based on a small or selectively chosen sample. Average results can also hide extreme losses, changing market conditions and correlated trades. The calculator does not produce a confidence interval or validate your trade sample.

The projected total is the per-trade arithmetic expectation multiplied by the supplied trade count. It does not compound account equity or simulate the order in which wins and losses occur.

Costs need consistent treatment

Include fees and expected execution costs only once. If your average win and loss already come from net trade records, adding those same costs again would double-count them. If you define one R using a planned stop, actual losses can still exceed one R during gaps or failed exits.

Questions about this tool

Does positive expectancy guarantee a profitable month?

No. Even a correctly estimated positive expectation can produce losing sequences. This tool does not model outcome distributions.

Should I enter win rate as a fraction?

Enter a percentage, such as 40 for 40%. Payoffs and costs use R multiples.

Your research workspace

Save selected inputs and research notes explicitly in this browser. Compare assumptions and restore a saved setup without submitting a trade. JavaScript enables the controls.

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