PDT rule calculator
The pattern day trader rule limits how often you can day trade in a US margin account with less than $25,000, and it counts trades over a rolling five-business-day window. Enter your account type, your equity and how many day trades you have made in the last five business days, and this calculator tells you how many you have left and whether your next trade would flag you. It also shows how many round trips a cash account could make with your settled cash instead.
Your equity against the $25,000 line
Pattern day traders must stay above this line at the start of each day to keep day trading.
Your options at a glance
How often you could day trade in each type of account with the money you have.
| Setup | Day trades allowed | Catch |
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How the PDT check works
The rule looks back over the last five business days. The calculator counts what you have already used and what the next trade would do.
This follows the FINRA rule as it has applied for years. Brokers can be stricter, and the rule itself may change, so check with your broker.
Margin or cash
Only margin accounts are covered. Cash accounts are limited by settled funds instead.
Equity test
Accounts at or above $25,000 can day trade freely, with day trading buying power of up to four times excess maintenance margin.
free to day trade if equity ≥ $25,000
Count the window
Four or more day trades in five business days makes a pattern, if day trades are over 6% of all trades.
flag if day trades ≥ 4 and day trades ÷ all trades > 6%
Trades left
Below $25,000 you can make up to three day trades in the window without a flag.
left = 3 − day trades made
Cash account comparison
Settled cash divided by your position size, since each round trip uses cash that only settles the next business day.
round trips per day = settled cash ÷ position size
PDT rule questions
What is the pattern day trader rule?
Under FINRA rules, a margin account that makes four or more day trades within five business days is treated as a pattern day trader account, as long as those day trades are more than 6 percent of all its trades in that period. A pattern day trader must keep at least $25,000 in equity in the account to keep day trading.
What counts as a day trade?
Opening and closing the same position in the same security on the same trading day in a margin account. Buying 100 shares in the morning and selling them in the afternoon is one day trade. Buying in several pieces and selling once usually counts as one, but brokers count some patterns differently, so check yours.
What happens if I get flagged with under $25,000?
Your broker will usually restrict the account from further day trading until you bring equity up to $25,000, often for 90 days or until the call is met. Some brokers allow a one-time reset of the flag. Positions you already hold are not affected.
Does the PDT rule apply to cash accounts?
No. Cash accounts are not covered by the rule, but you can only trade with settled money. US stock trades now settle one business day after the trade, so cash from a sale can be reused the next business day. Trading with unsettled funds can lead to a good faith violation.
Does the rule apply to forex, futures or crypto?
No. It covers stocks and options in US margin accounts at brokers regulated by FINRA. Forex, futures and crypto accounts have their own rules and margin requirements.
Is the PDT rule changing?
FINRA has proposed replacing the $25,000 pattern day trader requirement with a different intraday margin framework. Rule changes need regulatory approval and time to take effect, so check with your broker whether anything has changed for your account.