A static overall loss floor stays tied to the initial account balance. A daily limit is a separate rule and can still reset or move. Compare the exact programme and phase, then calculate both limits before opening a trade.
Selected programmes with a published static overall limit
| Programme | Overall rule | Daily rule / qualification | Primary source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO 2-Step | 10% static | 5% of initial capital; daily floor resets from the midnight balance | Trading objectives |
| The5ers High Stakes | 10% absolute | 5% using the previous closing balance or equity, whichever is higher | High Stakes drawdown |
| Alpha Pro 10% | 10% static | Full plan and daily rule must be checked separately | Maximum Total Loss |
| Topstep Labs 25K static product | $1,000 static in the published evaluation parameters | $500 daily limit; a limited Labs product with its own availability | Topstep Labs |
The standard Topstep Trading Combine uses an end-of-day trailing limit, so its rules must not be substituted for the Labs static product. FTMO 1-Step also uses a different overall loss mechanism from 2-Step. A firm name alone is insufficient.
Calculate the floor and the current buffer
For a hypothetical $100,000 account with a 10% static overall loss limit:
- Loss allowance = $100,000 × 10% = $10,000.
- Static floor = $100,000 − $10,000 = $90,000.
- At $103,000 current equity, the gap to that floor is $13,000.
- At $92,500 current equity, the gap is $2,500.
Those gaps are arithmetic, not permission to lose that amount today. The daily rule, open positions, commissions and other restrictions can impose a tighter limit. A buffer is not money available for withdrawal.
Why a profitable account can still breach the daily rule
Consider a separate hypothetical daily floor of $99,000. If current equity is $103,000, the gap to the daily floor is $4,000, even though the static overall floor is $90,000. The stricter currently applicable condition limits the room. A rollover can change the daily calculation while positions remain open.
Do not infer a universal daily formula from a percentage. Some programmes subtract a fixed amount based on initial capital; others calculate a percentage from a previous closing snapshot. Record the reset timezone, whether equity includes floating results, and whether touching the floor itself triggers a breach.
Use a written comparison worksheet
- Write the full plan name and account phase.
- Save the agreement version and purchase date.
- Record the overall reference: initial balance, closed high-water mark or equity peak.
- Record the daily reference, reset time and breach threshold.
- Recalculate the buffer after a withdrawal, reset or phase transition.
- If the dashboard and documentation disagree, ask the provider to confirm the applicable rule in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does static drawdown mean the daily limit is static?
No. A static overall floor and a daily reset rule can coexist. Check them independently.
Does a larger account label give me that much cash?
No. The account label can describe simulated capital or buying power. It is different from the remaining loss buffer and withdrawable rewards.
Is static drawdown always preferable?
That conclusion cannot be made from the floor alone. Fees, eligibility, payout conditions and the exact programme agreement also matter.
Continue your research
Use the comparison checklist, read static versus trailing drawdown, or calculate the total cost of a challenge. Educational information, not a personal recommendation.
