What is a risk–reward ratio?

It compares potential gain to potential loss on a trade (Reward ÷ Risk). Example: risk $100 to make $300 = 1:3.

How do you calculate breakeven win-rate from R:R?

Breakeven win-rate = 1 ÷ (1 + R). For 1:2 (R=2), you need ~33.3% wins to break even.

What is trading expectancy?

Expectancy = Win% × Average Win − Loss% × Average Loss. It’s the average P/L per trade over many trades.

Trade planningExpectancy basics

Risk–Reward Ratio (Quick)

Enter distances or prices. We’ll compute your R:R, the breakeven win-rate, and a quick expectancy preview—then visualize both.

R:R ratioBreakeven win-rateExpectancy (R)

Inputs

Risk distance

Entry → Stop (pts, $, ticks)

Reward distance

Entry → Target (same units)

Assumed win-rate (%)

Used only for expectancy preview.

Results

Risk ⇄ Reward

2.00 : 1

RiskReward

Ratio is Reward ÷ Risk. Example: 2.00 : 1 means your target is 2× your stop distance.

Breakeven win-rate

33.33%

p = 1 / (1 + R)

Expectancy preview (per trade)

0.500 R

Assumes AvgLoss = 1R and AvgWin = R. Formula: E_R = p·R − (1−p).

Educational only—factor in commissions, spread, and slippage when using live orders.

Why R:R & breakeven matter

Risk–Reward (R:R): expected return per unit of risk; e.g., risk $100 to make $300 = 1:3 (0.33). A lower ratio value (e.g., 0.33) means more potential reward than risk.

Formulas used

RR = Reward ÷ Risk • Breakeven win-rate = 1 ÷ (1 + R) • Expectancy = Win% × AvgWin − Loss% × AvgLoss.

Many traders aim for setups around 1:2 or better, but R:R is just one tool—position sizing and risk caps (e.g., 1–2% per trade) still matter.

Note: transaction costs and slippage affect realized results; factor them into averages and sizing.

Want deeper sizing & expectancy? Try Win-Rate & Risk–Reward.