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Risk-Reward Ratio Calculator - Analyze Trade Setup

Calculate risk-reward ratio for trades. Evaluate if trade setups meet your criteria with precise risk-reward analysis.

Price at which you'll exit to limit loss

Price at which you'll take profit

Risk:Reward Ratio

1:4.00

Risk

₹5.00

Reward

₹20.00

✓ Good risk-reward ratio (1:2 or better)

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Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial or investment advice. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

What is Risk-Reward Ratio Calculator - Analyze Trade Setup?

A Risk-Reward Calculator helps traders evaluate whether a trade is worth taking by calculating the ratio between potential profit (reward) and potential loss (risk). Professional traders only take trades with favorable risk-reward ratios, typically 1:2 or better (risking ₹1 to make ₹2+). This calculator uses your entry price, target price, and stop loss to compute the risk-reward ratio. A trade with 1:3 risk-reward means you're risking ₹1 to potentially make ₹3 - excellent odds! Even with 50% win rate, a 1:2 ratio makes you profitable long-term. This tool is essential for trade selection and maintaining positive expectancy.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your planned entry price for the trade
  2. Input your profit target price (where you'll book gains)
  3. Enter your stop loss price (where you'll exit to limit loss)
  4. View the calculated risk-reward ratio (e.g., 1:2.5)
  5. See the absolute risk and reward amounts in rupees
  6. Determine if the ratio meets your trading criteria (typically 1:2 minimum)
  7. Adjust targets/stops to optimize risk-reward before entering trade

Formula Used

Risk-Reward Ratio Formula: Risk = Entry Price - Stop Loss Price Reward = Target Price - Entry Price Risk:Reward Ratio = Reward / Risk Expressed as 1:X format where X = Reward / Risk Example: Entry: ₹100 Stop Loss: ₹95 Target: ₹115 Risk = ₹100 - ₹95 = ₹5 Reward = ₹115 - ₹100 = ₹15 Ratio = ₹15 / ₹5 = 3 Risk:Reward = 1:3 (excellent!) Win Rate Required for Profitability: For 1:1 ratio - Need >50% win rate to profit For 1:2 ratio - Need >33% win rate to profit For 1:3 ratio - Need >25% win rate to profit For 1:4 ratio - Need >20% win rate to profit Breakeven Win Rate = 1 / (1 + Reward/Risk Ratio) This shows why good R:R is crucial - even average win rates become profitable!

Example Calculation

Example 1: Excellent Risk-Reward Setup (1:3) Trade Setup: - Entry Price: ₹500 - Stop Loss: ₹480 (4% below entry) - Target: ₹560 (12% above entry) Calculation: - Risk: ₹500 - ₹480 = ₹20 per share - Reward: ₹560 - ₹500 = ₹60 per share - Ratio: ₹60 / ₹20 = 3 - Risk:Reward = 1:3 Position Size (₹10L account, 2% risk): - Max Risk: ₹20,000 - Shares: ₹20,000 / ₹20 = 1,000 shares - Investment: ₹5,00,000 Outcome Scenarios: - If Stop Hit: Lose ₹20,000 (2%) - If Target Hit: Win ₹60,000 (6%) This means one winner cancels out three losers! Even with 30% win rate, you're profitable. Example 2: Poor Risk-Reward (1:0.5) - AVOID! Setup: - Entry: ₹1,000 - Stop Loss: ₹950 (5% risk) - Target: ₹1,025 (2.5% reward) Calculation: - Risk: ₹50 - Reward: ₹25 - Ratio: 1:0.5 (terrible!) Why This Fails: Need 67% win rate just to break even! Even 60% win rate loses money: - 10 trades: 6 wins × ₹25 = ₹150, 4 losses × ₹50 = ₹200 - Net: -₹50 loss despite 60% accuracy Never take trades with R:R worse than 1:1.5! Example 3: Real Swing Trade Example (1:2.5) Stock: TCS Current Price: ₹3,500 Analysis: Bouncing from support, RSI oversold Plan: - Entry: ₹3,500 (current) - Stop Loss: ₹3,400 (below support - 2.86% risk) - Target: ₹3,750 (resistance - 7.14% reward) Calculation: - Risk: ₹100 per share - Reward: ₹250 per share - Ratio: 1:2.5 Account: ₹5,00,000, Risk 2% = ₹10,000 Position: ₹10,000 / ₹100 = 100 shares Investment: ₹3,50,000 Math Check: - If 4 losses, 1 win: (4 × -₹10K) + (1 × ₹25K) = -₹15K profit - Need only 28.6% win rate to break even! - At 40% win rate: Solid profits Example 4: Comparison of Different R:R Over 100 Trades Scenario A (1:1 ratio, 50% win rate): - 50 wins × ₹1,000 = ₹50,000 - 50 losses × ₹1,000 = -₹50,000 - Net: ₹0 (breakeven) Scenario B (1:2 ratio, 40% win rate): - 40 wins × ₹2,000 = ₹80,000 - 60 losses × ₹1,000 = -₹60,000 - Net: +₹20,000 profit Scenario C (1:3 ratio, 35% win rate): - 35 wins × ₹3,000 = ₹1,05,000 - 65 losses × ₹1,000 = -₹65,000 - Net: +₹40,000 profit Result: Better R:R = More profit with lower win rate!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good risk-reward ratio for trading?

Minimum 1:2 for most trading strategies. Professionals target 1:2.5 to 1:3. Day traders might accept 1:1.5 with high win rates. Swing traders should aim for 1:2.5+. Never take trades below 1:1.5 unless win rate is 70%+. Remember: Higher R:R means you can be wrong more often and still profit. A 1:3 ratio with 40% win rate beats 1:1 ratio with 60% win rate.

Can I have too high a risk-reward ratio like 1:10?

Theoretically great, but practically difficult. Higher R:R usually means: 1) Lower win rate (target too far), 2) Longer holding time, 3) May miss smaller profitable moves. A 1:5 ratio sounds amazing but if it hits only 10% of time, it's not profitable. Sweet spot for most traders: 1:2 to 1:3 with 40-50% win rate. Balance R:R with probability of success.

Should risk-reward ratio influence position size?

Yes! With better R:R, you can risk slightly more. Example: 1:1.5 ratio → risk 1% per trade. 1:3 ratio → comfortable risking 2% per trade. But NEVER exceed 3% risk on single trade regardless of R:R. Better R:R gives you margin of safety for being wrong more often, making position sizing less critical, but discipline still matters.

How do I find trades with good risk-reward ratios?

Look for: 1) Clear support/resistance levels (tight stops near support, targets at resistance), 2) Chart patterns with defined targets, 3) Oversold stocks bouncing from support, 4) Breakouts with stops below breakout level. Avoid: Mid-range entries with no clear support/resistance. Wait for price to come to supply/demand zones where stops can be tight and targets are far.

What if price doesn't reach my target - should I hold?

No! Use trailing stops or time-based exits. If trade isn't working after reasonable time (1-2 weeks for swing trades), exit even if not at target. Don't be greedy. Example: Entered at ₹100, target ₹115 (1:3), price reaches ₹112 and reverses. Trail stop to ₹110, book ₹10 profit (still 1:2 achieved). Partial R:R is better than turning winners into losers by holding too long.

Does risk-reward ratio guarantee profitability?

No, it's ONE part of system. Also need: 1) Proper entry timing, 2) Accurate technical/fundamental analysis, 3) Discipline to follow stops, 4) Reasonable win rate. A 1:3 R:R doesn't help if your stop gets hit 90% of time. Combine good R:R with quality setups, backtested strategy, and disciplined execution. R:R is necessary but not sufficient for success.

Should I adjust stops to improve risk-reward ratio?

Only if logical! Don't arbitrarily widen stops to make R:R look better - this increases risk. Place stops at technical levels (support, moving averages). If stop level gives poor R:R, the trade setup itself is bad - skip it! Example: Logical stop is 5% away but target only 3% away (1:0.6 ratio). Don't widen stop to 10% for 1:0.3 ratio - that's worse! Find better setup instead.

How do professional traders use risk-reward?

They FILTER trades! Setup analysis → Calculate R:R → If < 1:2, reject trade immediately → Only execute when R:R ≥ 1:2 AND other criteria met. They plan three exits: 1) Stop loss (risk), 2) First target (1.5-2R), 3) Extended target (3R+), often booking partial profits at each level. This systematic approach ensures only high-quality setups are traded, dramatically improving overall profitability.

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