TPThe Trading Playbook

Updated 2026-03-08

Top One Trader Profit Target (Phase 2) Rule Explained

Top One Trader
Quick Answer

Top One Trader's Phase 2 profit target is 5% of the initial Phase 2 account balance to receive funding.

The 5% profit target is calculated from your starting Phase 2 balance, meaning a $100,000 account needs $5,000 in profit. This includes both realized and unrealized profits in your account equity. Failing to reach this target means you cannot progress to a funded account and must restart Phase 2.

Key Rule Details

Target
5%
Dollar Target ($100,000)
$5,000
Phase
Phase 2 only
Time Limit
None
Min Days
5 days

Calculation Example

Account Size: $100,000Profit Target (Phase 2): $5,000
Account Size$100,000
Profit Target (Phase 2) Limit$5,000
Scenario: Closed P&L$3,000
Scenario: Floating P&L$0
Total Exposure$3,000
Remaining Buffer$2,000
Limit used:60%

Common Mistakes

Closing Before Target Confirmation
Traders close profitable positions thinking they've hit 5% but only looking at realized P&L. Top One Trader counts unrealized profits, so you might close a winning trade at 4.8% realized when your open positions would have pushed total equity past 5%. On a $50,000 account, this means stopping at $2,400 profit instead of reaching the required $2,500.
Weekend Gap Risk
Holding positions over weekends near the 5% target can backfire due to gap openings. If you're at 4.7% profit on Friday with open trades, a negative gap could drop you significantly below target on Monday. On a $100,000 account, being at $4,700 profit could turn into $3,000 after a weekend gap, requiring you to rebuild $2,000 more.
Ignoring Other Rule Limits
Traders focus solely on reaching 5% profit while ignoring the 4% daily loss limit or 7% total loss limit. Taking excessive risk to hit the profit target can trigger these other rules first. On a $25,000 account, risking $2,000 in one day to reach $1,250 profit target violates the $1,000 daily loss limit.
Miscalculating From Current Balance
Some traders calculate the 5% target from their current account balance instead of the initial Phase 2 starting balance. If your $100,000 account is down to $95,000, the target remains $5,000 total profit (not $4,750 from current balance), meaning you need to reach $105,000 total equity, not $99,750.

Protection Strategies

Set Target at 5.5% Personal Buffer
Aim for 5.5% profit instead of exactly 5% to account for spread costs and small market movements. On a $100,000 account, target $5,500 instead of $5,000 to ensure you comfortably pass even with minor fluctuations. This extra 0.5% buffer protects against bid-ask spreads when closing positions.
Use 1% Risk Per Trade Maximum
Limit individual trade risk to 1% of account balance to steadily build toward 5% without triggering loss limits. On a $50,000 account, risk maximum $500 per trade, requiring 10 successful trades at 2:1 risk-reward to reach the $2,500 target. This prevents large drawdowns that make target achievement harder.
Set Equity Alerts at 4.8% Profit
Configure your platform to alert when total equity reaches 4.8% profit, giving you time to plan position exits strategically. On a $25,000 account, set alerts at $26,200 total equity so you can carefully manage the final $125 needed to reach $26,250. This prevents overshooting or missing the target due to inattention.
Avoid New Trades After 4.5% Profit
Stop opening new positions once you reach 4.5% profit and focus on managing existing trades to the 5% target. On a $200,000 account, once you hit $9,000 profit, avoid new trades and carefully exit current positions to secure the final $1,000 needed. This prevents late-stage losses that could derail your progress.

Related Rules

Maximum Daily Loss
4%
Maximum Total Loss
7%
Profit Target (Phase 1)
10%
Minimum Trading Days
5 days

Top One Trader Comparisons

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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 Top One Trader's official website before purchasing a challenge. Updated 2026-03-08.