Updated 2026-03-08
FTMO Profit Target (Phase 2) Rule Explained
FTMO
Quick Answer
FTMO's Phase 2 requires achieving a 5% profit target based on the initial Phase 2 account balance.
The 5% profit target is calculated from your starting Phase 2 balance and must be reached through closed trades only. Unrealized profits don't count toward the target, and failure to reach 5% profit means you cannot progress to receive a funded account.
Key Rule Details
Target
5%
Dollar Target ($100,000)
$5,000
Phase
Phase 2 only
Time Limit
60 days
Min Days
4 days
Calculation Example
Common Mistakes
Counting Unrealized Profits
Traders often think their floating profits count toward the 5% target, but FTMO only counts closed positions. On a $100,000 account needing $5,000 profit, having $6,000 in unrealized gains means you still haven't met the target until those trades are closed.
Rushing Near Deadline
With only 30 days to achieve the target, traders panic in the final days and overtrade to reach 5% quickly. This desperation leads to poor risk management and often triggers the 5% daily loss limit, failing the challenge entirely.
Ignoring Minimum Trading Days
Traders focus solely on hitting 5% profit but forget FTMO requires at least 4 trading days. Achieving the profit target in 2-3 days means waiting additional days while protecting gains, creating unnecessary stress and potential losses.
Wrong Balance Reference
Some traders calculate 5% from their current balance instead of the initial Phase 2 balance. If you started with $100,000 but are now at $98,000, you still need $5,000 total profit (from the original balance), not 5% of $98,000.
Protection Strategies
Set Personal Target at 6-7%
Aim for 6-7% profit instead of exactly 5% to create a safety buffer. This accounts for potential small losses during the remaining trading days and ensures you stay above the minimum requirement even after minor setbacks.
Risk Only 1% Per Trade
Use conservative 1% position sizing to steadily build toward the 5% target without risking large drawdowns. This approach typically requires 8-10 winning trades at 0.5-0.7% profit each, making the target achievable through consistent execution.
Set Daily Profit Alerts
Configure alerts when you reach 1.25% daily profit (one-quarter of the total target) to avoid overtrading on good days. This helps maintain steady progress while preventing the temptation to risk accumulated gains on additional positions.
Avoid Trading Final 3 Days
Once you hit the 5% target with at least 4 trading days completed, stop trading for the remaining challenge period. The risk of giving back profits through continued trading outweighs any potential additional gains since you've already met the requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Prop firm rules change regularly — always verify current terms on FTMO's official website before purchasing a challenge. Updated 2026-03-08.