PROP FIRM RULES
Topstep RULES & LIMITS
Topstep is one of the oldest and most established futures prop firms, pioneering the "trading combine" evaluation model. They offer funded futures accounts from $50,000 to $150,000 with a straightforward two-step evaluation. Known for consistent rule enforcement and a strong educational community.
KEY RULES
Daily Drawdown
$1,000–$3,000 (varies by account)
Max Loss
$2,000–$4,500 (varies by account)
Profit Target
$3,000–$9,000 (varies by account)
Min Trading Days
5 days
Max Duration
Unlimited
Leverage
Full futures contracts
EVALUATION PHASES
Trading Combine Step 1
Trading Combine Step 2
Funded
RULE EXPLANATIONS
News Trading Restriction — A Hard Rule
Unlike FTMO or Apex, Topstep does not allow trading during major economic news events. The restriction applies in a 2-minute window before and after scheduled high-impact news releases (NFP, CPI, FOMC, etc.). Any open positions during this window will be automatically closed by Topstep. This rule is strictly enforced and is one of the most common reasons traders receive account violations even when profitable.
Edge case: The news restriction applies to all positions, not just new entries. If you are already in a trade when a news event window opens, you will be forced out of the position at market price — potentially at a loss — regardless of where your trade was heading.
Daily Loss Limit — Absolute Dollar, Not Percentage
Topstep uses fixed dollar amounts for daily loss limits, not percentages. A $50,000 account has a $1,000 daily loss limit; a $100,000 account has a $2,000 limit. These do not trail or adjust. The daily loss is calculated from your account balance at the start of the trading day and includes all open floating P&L.
Edge case: The daily loss limit on Topstep resets at 4:00 PM CT (Chicago time), not at midnight. Plan your trading sessions around this reset time if you trade across multiple market sessions.
ACCOUNT SIZES & PRICING
| Account | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| $50K | $50,000 | $165/mo |
| $100K | $100,000 | $325/mo |
| $150K | $150,000 | $375/mo |
TIPS TO PASS TOPSTEP
Never have a position open during scheduled high-impact news events. Topstep enforces the news trading restriction automatically — positions are closed at market. Set calendar alerts for NFP (first Friday of every month), CPI (monthly), and FOMC meetings, and close all positions at least 5 minutes before the scheduled release.
Track your daily loss in dollar terms, not percentage. On a $50K account, $1,000 is 2% — which feels large. On a $150K account, $3,000 is also 2%, but the dollars feel very different. Always think in dollar terms for Topstep because the rules are enforced in dollars, not percentages.
Complete Step 2 carefully — it has a lower profit target than Step 1 but the same drawdown rules. Many traders blast through Step 1 with aggressive trading and then fail Step 2 trying to replicate the same approach on a tighter target. Step 2 is about proving you can trade consistently, not just profitably.
WHY TRADERS FAIL TOPSTEP
Having open positions during news events and getting force-closed at market. The automatic enforcement of the news rule is the biggest surprise for traders coming from FTMO or Apex where news trading is allowed. A position that was profitable before a news event can be closed at a significant loss due to the spread widening at the moment of forced exit.
Reaching the daily loss limit mid-session and continuing to trade. Topstep issues a warning when you approach the daily limit. Many traders treat this as a soft warning and continue, leading to an automatic breach. The limit is hard — once reached, the account is flagged immediately.
Treating Step 2 as a formality after passing Step 1. Step 2 has identical drawdown rules but a lower profit target, which feels easier. Traders who take on more risk to "get it done quickly" often fail Step 2 faster than they failed Step 1 because the daily loss limit has the same severity on a smaller target.
FAQ — TOPSTEP
Does Topstep allow trading during news events?
No — Topstep has a strict prohibition on holding positions during major economic news releases. Positions open during the restricted window (2 minutes before and after) are automatically closed at market price. This is one of the most consistently enforced rules at Topstep and a major differentiator from FTMO and Apex.
What is the Topstep profit split?
Topstep funded traders keep 90% of profits. The first $10,000 in cumulative profits is 100% — traders keep everything. After that, the 90/10 split applies. Payouts are available weekly on Thursdays.
Can I trade overnight at Topstep?
No. Topstep requires all positions to be closed before the end of the trading session. No overnight or weekend holds are allowed in evaluation or funded accounts.
What futures markets does Topstep support?
Topstep supports all major futures markets: equity index futures (ES, NQ, YM, RTY), energy (CL, NG), metals (GC, SI), currencies (6E, 6B), and interest rates (ZB, ZN, ZF). Options on futures are not supported.
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