Topstep rules, explained

End-of-day trailing drawdown of $2,000 that freezes once it reaches your starting balance (the Maximum Loss Limit). The floor moves up at each daily close, never intraday.

Topstep 50K Trading Combine$50,000
Account size
$50,000
Trailing max loss (MLL)
End-of-day trailing; locks at your starting balance once reached.
$2,000
Daily loss limit
Measured on the day's realised P&L.
$1,000
Profit target
To pass the Combine.
$3,000
Consistency rule
Gates payouts, not the account.
Best day ≤ 50% of total profit
Minimum trading days
2 days

Figures reflect a common Topstep account at the time of writing. Firms revise rules often, so verify against the Topstep site before relying on them.

Merlin's gauges derive from closed trades. Your firm watches live equity including open positions.

MerlinTrade is independent trading-journal software and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Topstep. All trademarks belong to their owners.

How to pass without breaching

  • Treat the $1,000 daily loss limit as a hard stop: size so two losers in a row never reach it.
  • Because the trailing MLL moves at end of day, bank profit and walk; giving back an intraday spike still counts against you the next session.
  • Once the trail freezes at your starting balance, your real floor is the $50,000 start. Protect it like a daily-loss line.
  • Spread profit across days so your best day stays under 50% of total: the consistency rule blocks the payout, not the pass.

Check your exact distance to breach

Drop your balance, peak and limit into the free calculator, preset to the Topstep numbers. No signup.

Open the Topstep drawdown calculator →

Topstep FAQ

What is the Topstep trailing drawdown?+

A $2,000 maximum loss limit that trails your end-of-day equity high and then freezes once it reaches your starting balance. After the freeze, your floor stays at the $50,000 start.

Does Topstep's drawdown trail intraday?+

No. Topstep's trailing is end-of-day: the floor only moves at each session close, so an intraday peak you give back before the close does not lower your buffer.

What is the Topstep consistency rule?+

Your best single day must be no more than 50% of your total profit. It gates withdrawals on funded accounts rather than failing the Combine.

Track your Topstep rules from your trades.

Import your trades and Merlin computes your distance to every limit from your closed trades, and the Pre-Trade Check flags the trade that breaks your rules before you take it.

No email. No card. 7-day free trial on Pro & Premium when you're ready.