One of the most common beginner questions in forex trading is simple:
How much does it actually cost to trade 1 lot?
Not “minimum spreads.”
Not marketing numbers.
But the real, all-in cost you pay when you open and close a trade.
In this guide, we break down the true cost of trading 1 standard lot on IC Markets, using realistic spreads, clear examples, and plain English.
What Does “1 Lot” Mean in Forex?
Before looking at costs, let’s define the basics.
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1 standard lot = 100,000 units of the base currency
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On most major pairs (like EUR/USD):
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1 pip ≈ $10 per lot
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This means even small differences in spreads or commissions have a real dollar impact.
The Two Costs You Pay When Trading 1 Lot
When you open and close a trade, you pay only two direct trading costs:
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The spread
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The commission (depending on account type)
There are no hidden execution fees or platform charges.
Cost of Trading 1 Lot on the Standard Account
The Standard account uses spread-only pricing.
Typical conditions:
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Commission: $0
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Average EUR/USD spread: ~1.0 pip
Real cost calculation:
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1.0 pip × $10 = $10 per trade
That’s the full cost for opening and closing a 1-lot trade.
✔ simple
✔ easy to understand
❌ more expensive for frequent trading
Cost of Trading 1 Lot on the Raw Spread Account
The Raw Spread account uses very low spreads + commission.
Typical conditions:
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Average EUR/USD spread: ~0.1 pip
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Commission: $3.50 per side per lot
Real cost calculation:
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Spread: 0.1 pip × $10 = $1
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Commission: $3.50 × 2 = $7
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Total cost: ~$8 per trade
📉 Even with commission, the total cost is lower than the Standard account.
Side-by-Side Comparison (1 Lot EUR/USD)
| Account Type | Spread Cost | Commission | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~$10 | $0 | $10 |
| Raw Spread | ~$1 | ~$7 | $8 |
The difference looks small on one trade—but it compounds fast.
How Costs Add Up Over Time
Let’s look at a realistic scenario.
Example: 200 trades per month (1 lot each)
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Standard account:
$10 × 200 = $2,000 -
Raw Spread account:
$8 × 200 = $1,600
👉 $400 saved per month
👉 $4,800 saved per year
This is why active traders focus so much on costs.
What About Other Trading Costs?
Swap Fees (Overnight)
If you hold a trade overnight, you may pay or receive a swap, depending on:
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the instrument
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interest rates
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buy vs sell direction
Swap rates are:
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clearly shown in the platform
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separate from spread and commission
Slippage
Slippage is market-related, not a broker fee.
Tighter spreads generally reduce its impact.
Why Many Beginners Underestimate Trading Costs
Most beginners focus on:
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“no commission”
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minimum advertised spreads
But real costs depend on:
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average spreads, not minimums
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how often you trade
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lot size
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strategy type
Cost awareness is a major edge most new traders ignore.
Which Account Is Cheaper for You?
Choose the Standard account if you:
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trade rarely
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hold positions longer
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want simple pricing
Choose the Raw Spread account if you:
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trade frequently
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scalp or day trade
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care about precise execution
👉 For most traders placing more than a few trades per week, Raw Spread is cheaper.
Final Answer: How Much Does It Really Cost?
On IC Markets, trading 1 lot of EUR/USD typically costs:
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~$10 on the Standard account
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~$8 on the Raw Spread account
The difference may seem small—but over time, it can significantly affect profitability.
Check Current Spreads and Commissions
To see current spreads, commissions, and account options directly on the official IC Markets website, you can check here:
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