What is the Maximum Loss Limit?
The Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) represents the lowest point your account balance is allowed to reach. If your balance hits that level, trading stops immediately.
The Maximum Loss Limit for each account size in the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account:
$50K account: $2,000
$100K account: $3,000
$150K account: $4,500
How is the Maximum Loss Limit calculated?
In the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account, the Maximum Loss Limit trails your highest end-of-day balance, rising as your balance grows, but never moving down. Once it reaches your starting balance, it locks in permanently.
Trading Combine
Example: You start a $50k Trading Combine and make $500 on day one. Your balance is $50,500, so your Maximum Loss Limit moves up to $48,500. You lose $500 the next day, your balance drops to $50,000, but your Maximum Loss Limit stays at $48,500.
Express Funded Account
Express Funded Accounts work the same way, but start at a $0 balance. For a $50,000 Express Funded Account, your Maximum Loss Limit starts at -$2,000 and trails upward as your balance grows. Once your balance reaches $2,000, the Maximum Loss Limit stays at $0.
Example: You start your $50k Express Funded Account and make $1,000 on day one. Your balance is $1,000, so your Maximum Loss Limit moves up to -$1,000. You make another $1,000 on day two, bringing your balance to $2,000 — your Maximum Loss Limit will remain at $0. From this point forward, your balance can never fall below $0.
Important: Once you take your first payout in an Express Funded Account, your MLL is set to $0. From that point on, your balance needs to stay above $0.
Live Funded Account
The Maximum Loss Limit is set at $1000 in the Live Funded Account. You will need to make sure your account balance stays above $1000 (positive) in order to not to breach the Maximum Loss Limit.
Watch the video below to see how the Maximum Loss Limit works in the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account.
When is the Maximum Loss Limit Calculated?
The MLL updates at the end of each trading day, but it is monitored in real time. Both your realized and unrealized P&L count toward it. If your Net P&L hits or exceeds the limit at any point during the day, your account will be liquidated immediately.
Can I request that my Maximum Loss Limit be adjusted in my account?
Maximum Loss Limits cannot be adjusted or changed on your account. Topstep does not make exceptions to the Maximum Loss Limit for any account.
What happens if I break the Maximum Loss Limit rule?
Trading Combine: Your account is liquidated for the rest of the trading day and becomes ineligible for funding until reset. You can still practice trade.
Express Funded Account: Your account will be permanently closed. Back2Funded may be available if you are eligible.
Live Funded Account: Your account will be permanently closed at the end of that trading day.
Please Note: When you Reactivate your Express Funded Account using Back2Funded, your account will restart completely — just like having a brand new Express Funded Account of the same size. This means your account balance returns to zero, and all previous stats—including P&L, trade history, and winning days—are set back to zero as well.
Your Maximum Loss Limit also resets to the starting value for your account size:
$50K XFA: MLL starts at -$2,000
$100K XFA: MLL starts at -$3,000
$150K XFA: MLL starts at -$4,500
The MLL trails upward as your balance grows, and once it reaches $0, it locks there permanently — meaning your balance can never fall below $0 from that point on.