Max drawdown — the account-life floor
Updated 2026-07-05
Quick answer
Max drawdown is a static floor equal to (starting balance × (1 − max DD %)). It never resets, even after profits or a new UTC day. If settled balance drops to or below this floor, the account is closed permanently.
Key properties
- Static — the floor is fixed the moment the account (phase or funded) is created.
- Not trailing — profits do NOT raise the floor. You keep the whole cushion for the account's life.
- Not reset by a new UTC day. Only daily DD resets daily.
- Applies independently in each evaluation phase and in the funded account.
Max drawdown floor per plan
- Basic 2-Step (8%): $1,500 → floor $1,380
- Pro 2-Step (10%): $2,500 → floor $2,250
- Elite Two Step (10%): $5,000 → floor $4,500
- One Step Basic (8%): $6,000 → floor $5,520
- One Step Pro (8%): $10,000 → floor $9,200
- Elite Direct (8%): $3,000 → floor $2,760
- Pro Elite (8%): $5,000 → floor $4,600
Worked example — Static vs trailing on One Step Pro
Start: $10,000, max floor: $9,200 (−8%) Balance grows to $11,200 (+12%) Max floor STILL $9,200 — you have $2,000 total room, not just 8% of the new peak This is why EvalTrade is trader-friendly: profits are yours to keep as cushion
Edge cases
- Does max drawdown trail my highest balance?
No. It's static. Your peak balance does not tighten the floor. This gives you more room the more you profit.
- Do payouts change the max floor?
No. Payouts reduce your balance by the amount deducted, but the floor stays at the account starting-balance calculation.
- What triggers a max DD breach exactly?
Settled balance ≤ floor. Same as daily DD, floating losses on open trades are not counted.
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