The short version
- Three ways in: 1-Step (one FTMO Challenge with a 10% target), 2-Step (a 10% FTMO Challenge, then a 5% Verification) and Instant (no evaluation, straight to an FTMO Account). The funded stage has no profit target on any of them.
- The daily loss limit is 3% on 1-Step and Instant and 5% on 2-Step, reset each midnight CE(S)T from your balance. The max loss is 10% on all three, but it is static on 2-Step, trails at end of day on 1-Step and trails every time a trade closes at a new high on Instant.
- Consistency: your best day can be no more than 50% of your total profit on 1-Step and 30% on Instant. 2-Step has no consistency rule but needs 4 trading days in each phase. Going over the limit isn't a breach; you keep trading until it passes.
- Rewards: 90% on 1-Step and Instant; 80% on 2-Step, rising to 90% if you meet the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme conditions. You can request one from the 14th day after your first trade on the account.
- News: on FTMO Accounts, no orders 2 minutes before or after selected releases on the affected instruments. The restriction doesn't apply in the Challenge or Verification, or on Swing accounts.
The 50% consistency rule covers 1-Step accounts from orders placed on or after October 12, 2026. Older 1-Step accounts keep the earlier Best Day Rule, which measures your best day against your profitable days only.
The three account types at a glance
| Type | Target | Daily loss | Max loss | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | 10% | 3% | 10%, end-of-day trailing | 50% |
| 2-Step | 10%, then 5% | 5% | 10%, static | None (4 days per phase) |
| Instant | None | 3% | 10%, trails as trades close | 30% |
- 1-Step is one phase. The same 3% daily loss, 10% trailing max loss and 50% consistency rule carry on into the FTMO Account. The fee is not refundable.
- 2-Step is the original two-phase route. It has the widest daily loss limit and the only static max loss, and its fee is refunded with your first reward. The default reward split is 80%.
- Instant skips the evaluation. It has the strictest consistency rule (30%) and a max loss that doesn't reset when you take a reward. The fee is not refundable.
- FTMO says accounts go up to $200,000. These are FTMO's CFD accounts; FTMO Futures is a separate product with its own rules.
1-Step rules
FTMO's own example for a $100,000 1-Step account:
- Profit target: $10,000, so you pass once your balance is above $110,000 with all positions closed.
- Daily loss: 3% of the starting capital ($3,000), taken from your balance at midnight CE(S)T. Day 1 limit $97,000; close the day at $102,000 and day 2's limit is $99,000. It applies to your equity, open trades included.
- Max loss: 10% ($10,000) below your highest midnight balance, or below the starting capital if that is higher. Day 1 limit $90,000; close a day at $104,000 and it moves to $94,000. It only moves up.
- After a reward: when you withdraw a reward and get a new FTMO Account, the max loss fully resets to 90% of the starting capital.
- Consistency: best day no more than 50% of your total profit, both to pass the Challenge and to be eligible for each reward (see below).
- Minimum days: FTMO's Trading Objectives page lists none for 1-Step.
2-Step rules
FTMO's own example for a $100,000 2-Step account:
- Profit targets: $10,000 in the FTMO Challenge (pass above $110,000), then $5,000 in the Verification (pass above $105,000). No target on the FTMO Account.
- Daily loss: 5% of the starting capital ($5,000), taken from your balance at midnight CE(S)T. Day 1 limit $95,000; close the day at $102,000 and day 2's limit is $97,000.
- Max loss: static at 10% below the starting capital, so $90,000 on a $100,000 account. It never moves.
- Minimum trading days: at least 4 in each phase. A trading day is any day (00:00 to 23:59:59 CE(S)T) on which you open at least one position. A trade held across three days counts once. No minimum on the FTMO Account.
- No consistency rule at any stage.
Instant account rules
FTMO's own example for a $50,000 Instant account:
- No evaluation: you start on an FTMO Account with no profit target.
- Daily loss: 3% ($1,500) from your balance at midnight CE(S)T. Day 1 limit $48,500; close the day at $51,000 and day 2's limit is $49,500.
- Max loss: 10% ($5,000) below your highest balance from closed trades, updated the moment a trade closes at a new high, not at the end of the day. It starts at $45,000; a first trade that closes at $50,600 lifts it to $45,600.
- It doesn't reset after a reward. FTMO says that once your balance is above 110% of the starting capital, a reward withdrawal would breach the limit, and that checking this is your responsibility.
- Consistency: best day no more than 30% of your total profit to be eligible for a reward. After each reward the total starts again from zero.
- Identity check: you complete FTMO Identity when you request your first reward, and FTMO can't process the reward until it is approved.
The consistency rule
FTMO divides your best day by your total profit. The total is all your closed profits and losses added together, and the best day is the single day with the highest closed profit (days end at midnight CE(S)T).
- 1-Step, 50%: applies to the FTMO Challenge and to every reward on the FTMO Account.
- Instant, 30%: applies to every reward, and the total starts again from zero after each one.
- 2-Step: no consistency rule, but you must trade at least 4 days in each phase.
- Going over isn't a breach. You keep trading until your best day is back under the limit.
FTMO's example: days of +$6,000, -$2,000, +$4,000 and +$2,000 make $10,000 in total, so the best day is 60%. To pass at 50% you need at least $12,000 of total profit; at 30% you need at least $20,000.
Check your numbers
Works out the FTMO consistency math only. The firm's dashboard is the final word.
Rewards and splits
| Type | Reward split | Fee back? |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | 90% | No |
| 2-Step | 80%, or 90% with the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme | Yes, with your first reward |
| Instant | 90% | No |
- When: request a reward in Account MetriX on the 14th day or later after your first trade on that account. Close all positions and pending orders first.
- How long: FTMO says it reviews the account within 1 to 2 business days, and the reward is typically sent 1 to 2 business days after your invoice is approved.
- Methods: bank wire, Visa Direct or Mastercard Send (up to $20,000), Skrill (up to $3,000) or crypto. FTMO charges no extra commission. You need at least $20 of closed profit for wire or card transfers and $50 for crypto.
- Rollover (2-Step only): you can roll a reward into your next FTMO Account. The normal split applies when it rolls over, and 100% when you later withdraw it, so it isn't cut twice.
- FTMO Points: you can take all or part of a reward as FTMO Points (1 point = €1). They can only be spent with FTMO or its partners and can't be cashed out.
News trading
- The rule: no order execution from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after selected news releases. That includes stop losses, take profits and other pending orders.
- Only the affected instruments: during US NFP, for example, you can't trade USD pairs, gold, US indices or DXY in the window, but EURGBP is fine. FTMO's list covers central bank rate decisions for USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD and CHF, selected jobs, CPI and GDP releases, FOMC minutes, and crude oil inventories for oil.
- Positions you already hold: you can keep a position opened more than 2 minutes before the release.
- Where it doesn't apply: in the FTMO Challenge and Verification phases, and on Swing accounts. Breaking it on an FTMO Account may end the account.
FTMO marks each restricted release as "Restricted event" on its economic calendar.
Recent changes
Questions about FTMO rules
What is the FTMO consistency rule?
Your best day can be no more than 50% of your total profit on the 1-Step (to pass and for each reward) and 30% on the Instant account (for each reward). The 2-Step has no consistency rule. Going over isn't a breach; you keep trading until it passes.
What is the FTMO profit split?
FTMO calls it the Reward Ratio. It is 90% on accounts from the 1-Step and the Instant account. On the 2-Step it is 80% by default, rising to 90% if you meet the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme conditions.
Is the FTMO max loss trailing?
It depends on the type. On the 2-Step it is static at 10% below your starting capital. On the 1-Step it trails at end of day from your highest midnight balance. On the Instant account it trails each time a trade closes at a new balance high and doesn't reset after a reward.
Can I trade news with FTMO?
In the Challenge and Verification, and on Swing accounts, yes. On FTMO Accounts, no orders can execute from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after selected releases on the affected instruments, stop losses and take profits included.
When can I request my first FTMO reward?
On the 14th day or later after your first trade on the account, with all positions closed. FTMO says it reviews the request within 1 to 2 business days.
Does FTMO have minimum trading days?
The 2-Step needs at least 4 trading days in each phase, counting days on which you open a position. FTMO lists no minimum days for the 1-Step or for FTMO Accounts.
Sources
Read on FTMO's own pages on Nov 4, 2026:
- FTMO: Trading Objectives (1-Step, 2-Step, Instant) ↗
- FTMO: How does your Consistency rule work? ↗
- FTMO: How do I withdraw my reward? ↗
- FTMO: Can I trade news? ↗
- FTMO: Is the entry fee refunded? ↗
- FTMO: What are FTMO Points, and how can I use them? ↗
The firm's own page is the final word. Spot a difference? Email hello@propdesknews.com and we'll fix it.