Topstep Challenge Rules: Complete Guide for Futures Traders in 2026

Topstep is one of the original proprietary trading firms focused exclusively on futures trading. Unlike most prop firms that cater to forex traders, Topstep gives traders access to CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX products — including E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq, crude oil, gold, and more. Their evaluation program, called the Trading Combine, is a well-established path to funded futures trading.

Topstep Overview

Topstep has been around since 2012 and has funded thousands of traders. The firm uses a single-step evaluation called the Trading Combine. Pass the Combine and you receive a funded account (called an Express Funded Account) where you keep the first $10,000 in profits at 100%, after which the profit split is 90/10 in your favor. Topstep operates through platforms like NinjaTrader, Quantower, and other futures-compatible platforms connected via Rithmic or CQG data feeds.

The key distinction with Topstep is that it is purely futures-based. If you trade forex or crypto, this is not the firm for you. But if you trade ES, NQ, CL, or GC, Topstep offers one of the cleanest paths to funded trading available.

Topstep Rules at a Glance

• Daily Loss Limit (Trailing): Varies by account — $50K account has a $1,000 daily loss limit, $100K account has $2,000, $150K account has $3,000
• Maximum Drawdown (Trailing): $50K account: $2,000 trailing drawdown; $100K account: $3,000; $150K account: $4,500
• Profit Target: $50K account: $3,000; $100K account: $6,000; $150K account: $9,000
• Minimum Trading Days: No minimum — you can pass the Combine in as few days as you need
• Leverage / Contract Limits: $50K: up to 5 E-mini contracts (50 micros); $100K: up to 10 E-minis (100 micros); $150K: up to 15 E-minis (150 micros)
• Consistency Rule: No single day can account for more than 50% of total profits in the Combine
• Prohibited: Holding positions during major economic releases, holding positions past the daily close, and trading outside allowed hours

Account Sizes & Pricing

Topstep offers three account sizes with monthly subscription pricing. Check the Topstep website for current promotional rates.

Account Size	Monthly Fee	Profit Target	Daily Loss Limit	Trailing Max Drawdown
$50,000	$49/mo	$3,000	$1,000	$2,000
$100,000	$99/mo	$6,000	$2,000	$3,000
$150,000	$149/mo	$9,000	$3,000	$4,500

Pricing may vary. Topstep frequently runs promotional discounts — check their website for current offers.

How to Pass Topstep

1. Master one or two products. Do not try to trade ES, NQ, CL, and GC simultaneously. Pick one primary instrument and learn its behavior deeply. Most successful Topstep traders specialize in the E-mini S&P 500 or E-mini Nasdaq.
2. Respect the consistency rule. If your profit target is $3,000 and you make $2,000 in one day, you are at risk. That single day would represent 67% of your target. Spread your profits across multiple trading days to avoid this trap.
3. Use micro contracts early. Start with micro E-minis (MES, MNQ) to build a buffer. Once you have $500-$1,000 in profit, you can scale up to full contracts with a safety cushion.
4. Flatten before the close. Topstep requires all positions to be flat by the end of the daily session. Set an alarm 15 minutes before the close to ensure you are not caught holding.
5. Track your consistency ratio daily. Use TradeLens to monitor what percentage of your total profit comes from your best day. If it creeps above 40%, deliberately aim for smaller, steady gains on subsequent days.

Common Failures

• Blowing through the daily loss limit on a volatile day. Crude oil (CL) can move $2-3 in minutes. A 2-contract position on CL with a $1,000 daily loss limit gives you almost no room for error.
• Forgetting the trailing drawdown. Unlike a static drawdown, Topstep's max drawdown trails your high-water mark. If you make $1,500 profit and then give back $2,500, you have breached the $2,000 trailing drawdown on a $50K account — even though your account is only down $1,000 from starting balance.
• Violating the consistency rule at the last moment. A trader is at $2,800 toward a $3,000 target and has one great day worth $1,800. They hit the target but fail the consistency rule because that day represents more than 50% of total profits.
• Overtrading during FOMC or NFP. Futures markets become extremely volatile during major releases. The risk-to-reward is skewed against you due to slippage and widened spreads.

Track Your Challenge with TradeLens

TradeLens supports futures trade imports via CSV from NinjaTrader and other platforms. The platform automatically calculates your trailing drawdown, daily P&L, and consistency ratio — the exact metrics Topstep uses to evaluate you. Set up drawdown alerts so you never accidentally breach a limit during a fast-moving session.

Your next step: Get your free Discipline Score and identify the specific habits that are most likely to cause a Combine failure.

Does Topstep allow automated trading?

Yes, Topstep allows automated strategies during the Trading Combine. However, you must still comply with all rules including daily loss limits and position flattening requirements. Strategies that exploit data feed latency or engage in disruptive trading practices are prohibited.

What is the Topstep trailing drawdown and how does it work?

The trailing drawdown starts at a fixed amount below your initial balance and moves up as your account reaches new highs. It never moves back down. For example, on a $50K account with a $2,000 trailing drawdown, your floor starts at $48,000. If your account reaches $52,000, the floor rises to $50,000. If you then drop to $49,999, you have breached the drawdown — even though you are still above the original $50,000.

How quickly can I get paid from a Topstep funded account?

Topstep allows withdrawal requests after your first 5 trading days in the funded account. The first $10,000 in profits are yours at 100%. After that, the split is 90/10 in your favor. Payouts are typically processed within a few business days.