MSMO Lot Pilot is a pre-trade lot size calculator and information panel for MetaTrader 5.
Its purpose is simple: before placing a manual trade, define the risk you are willing to take, define the planned Stop Loss distance, and calculate a position size that fits those parameters.
Enter your Risk Percent and planned Stop Loss distance in symbol points, choose the Account Base, and MSMO Lot Pilot calculates the lot size using the symbol specifications reported by your broker. It then shows the estimated Actual Risk after the final lot has been normalized to the permitted volume step.
MSMO Lot Pilot is a calculation and information utility only. It does not open, close, modify or manage trades, and it does not provide buy or sell signals.
1. Quick Start
Using MSMO Lot Pilot requires only a few steps:
- Attach MSMO Lot Pilot to the chart of the symbol you are planning to trade.
- Enter your Risk Percent.
- Enter the planned Stop Loss distance in symbol points.
- Select the Account Base.
- Review the Calculated Lot.
- Check the Actual Risk and the current Status.
- Use the calculated information in your own manual trading workflow.
The default workflow is intentionally simple. Additional calculation and symbol information can be displayed when more detail is required.
2. What the Panel Shows
The main panel provides the information required for pre-trade position sizing.
Market information:
- Symbol
- Bid
- Ask
- Spread in points
Risk setup:
- Selected Account Base
- Account Value used for the calculation
- Risk Percent
- Risk Amount
- Stop Loss distance in points
Position sizing:
- Calculated Lot
- Actual Risk in money
- Actual Risk in percentage
- Current calculation Status
Bid, Ask and Spread can be hidden from the input settings if preferred.
3. Why Actual Risk Matters
A raw lot-size calculation does not always match the trading volume that can actually be used for a symbol.
Broker symbols have their own volume rules, including:
- Minimum Volume
- Maximum Volume
- Volume Step
MSMO Lot Pilot first calculates the raw position size. It then floors the calculated lot to a valid broker-supported Volume Step.
After the final normalized volume has been determined, the utility recalculates the estimated Stop Loss risk for that final lot.
This recalculated figure is displayed as Actual Risk.
For this reason, Actual Risk can sometimes be slightly lower than the selected target risk.
The purpose of showing Actual Risk separately is to display the estimated risk associated with the final usable lot size, rather than showing only the original theoretical calculation.
4. Account Base Options
Risk can be calculated from one of four account values:
- Balance — uses the current account Balance.
- Equity — uses the current account Equity.
- Lower B/E — uses whichever value is lower between Balance and Equity.
- Higher B/E — uses whichever value is higher between Balance and Equity.
Lower B/E is the default Account Base.
When Lower B/E is selected and Equity is below Balance, the Account Value is highlighted on the panel so the lower calculation base is easy to identify.
The selected Account Base and the Account Value actually used in the calculation are displayed directly on the panel.
5. Broker-Aware Calculation
MSMO Lot Pilot does not assume that every symbol uses the same trading specifications.
The calculation uses symbol information reported by the broker through MetaTrader 5, including:
- Point
- Tick Size
- Loss Tick Value
- Minimum Volume
- Maximum Volume
- Volume Step
The calculated lot is then floored to the permitted volume step.
A final safety check verifies that the estimated Stop Loss risk of the normalized lot does not exceed the selected risk target.
If the required broker data is unavailable, or if the calculation cannot be completed safely, MSMO Lot Pilot reports the calculation as unavailable rather than substituting an assumed value.
This is important because different brokers can report different Tick Size, Tick Value and volume specifications, even for similar instruments.
6. Minimum Volume and Safe Flooring
If the calculated position size is above the broker Minimum Volume, MSMO Lot Pilot floors the volume to a valid Volume Step.
It does not round the calculated position upward simply to reach a larger valid lot.
If the required position size is below the broker Minimum Volume, the utility does not automatically increase the position to the minimum.
Instead, the calculation is reported as unavailable.
This behavior is intentional. Automatically increasing the lot to the broker minimum could produce an estimated Stop Loss risk above the risk target selected by the user.
Safe downward lot normalization is therefore always enforced.
7. Status Messages and Warnings
MSMO Lot Pilot clearly reports the current state of the calculation.
READY
The required inputs and symbol data are valid and the lot calculation is available.
WARNING
The calculation is available, but one or more configured conditions require attention.
Warnings can include:
- Risk Percent above the configured warning threshold
- Spread high relative to the entered Stop Loss
- Calculated lot capped by the broker Maximum Volume
- Safe Floor remaining enforced when its input is switched off
Warnings are informational only. MSMO Lot Pilot does not execute or block trades.
INPUT ERROR
An input prevents a valid calculation.
Examples include:
- Risk Percent equal to or below zero
- Stop Loss equal to or below zero
- Stop Loss distance not aligned with the symbol Tick Size
WAITING FOR DATA
Required terminal or market information is not yet available.
CALCULATION UNAVAILABLE
The calculation cannot be completed safely with the currently available inputs or broker data.
Depending on the situation, the calculated value can also be shown as N/A together with the reason in the Status section.
8. Stop Loss: Points, Not Pips
The Stop Loss input in MSMO Lot Pilot is entered in symbol points.
It is not entered in pips.
Use the point convention reported by MetaTrader for the current symbol.
This distinction is important because Point and Tick Size are not necessarily identical on every instrument.
On some symbols, an entered Stop Loss distance must correspond to a valid Tick Size increment. If it does not, MSMO Lot Pilot can report an INPUT ERROR.
9. Spread
MSMO Lot Pilot displays the current Spread in points for context.
Spread can also trigger a warning when it becomes high relative to the entered Stop Loss distance.
However, Spread is not added to the Stop Loss distance used in the position-size risk calculation.
The Stop Loss distance entered by the user remains the basis of that calculation.
10. Advanced Information
Optional calculation and symbol information can be displayed directly on the panel.
Calculation details:
- Tick Value
- Tick Size
- Point Value/Lot
Symbol volume information:
- Minimum Volume
- Maximum Volume
- Volume Step
When both advanced display options are enabled, the information is presented in separate CALC and SYMBOL sections.
These values can be useful when checking how the broker defines the current trading symbol and how the final position size has been derived.
11. Multiple Instances
MSMO Lot Pilot supports multiple instances on the same chart.
This allows different risk setups to be displayed side by side.
For example, one instance can use a Risk Percent of 1% while another uses 3% on the same symbol, allowing the resulting Calculated Lot and Actual Risk values to be compared.
Different instances can also be used on different charts or symbols.
For normal use, the Instance Tag can remain set to Auto.
12. Supported Markets
MSMO Lot Pilot is not hard-coded to a specific asset class.
It can calculate on symbols for which the broker provides the required Point, Tick Size, Loss Tick Value and volume specifications.
The supplied product screenshots include examples on:
- Forex
- Gold / XAUUSD
- Index / US30
- Cryptocurrency / BTCUSD
A valid calculation always depends on the specifications supplied by the broker for the individual symbol.
13. Important Risk Estimate Limitations
The risk figures displayed by MSMO Lot Pilot are estimates intended for pre-trade planning.
They represent the estimated risk associated with the planned Stop Loss distance and the final calculated lot.
They do not include:
- Trading commissions
- Swaps
- Slippage
- Price gaps
Actual trading results can therefore differ from the values displayed before a trade.
Calculations also depend on the accuracy and availability of the symbol and market information supplied by the broker.
14. Complete Inputs Reference
The following section lists the MSMO Lot Pilot inputs and their default settings.
Risk Percent (%) — Default: 1.0
Target risk as a percentage of the selected Account Base. The value must be greater than zero.
Stop Loss (points) — Default: 300
Planned Stop Loss distance in symbol points.
Account Base Mode — Default: Lower B/E
Selects Balance, Equity, Lower B/E or Higher B/E as the account value used for the risk calculation.
Safe Floor — Default: true
Safe downward lot normalization is always enforced. If this option is switched off, the floor remains active and a warning is displayed when warnings are enabled.
Show Bid / Ask — Default: true
Shows the current Bid and Ask prices on the panel.
Show Spread — Default: true
Shows the current Spread in symbol points.
Show Symbol Limits — Default: false
Shows Minimum Volume, Maximum Volume and Volume Step.
Show Details — Default: false
Shows Tick Value, Tick Size and Point Value/Lot.
Panel Corner — Default: Top Left
Selects Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left or Bottom Right panel placement.
Panel X — Default: 25
Horizontal panel offset in pixels.
Panel Y — Default: 35
Vertical panel offset in pixels.
Panel Width — Default: 400
Requested panel width. Values below 390 are raised to an effective minimum width of 390 pixels.
Font Size — Default: 10
Base panel font size. The effective value is internally limited to the range 8–12.
Right Safe Padding — Default: 70
Extra clearance when the panel is positioned in a right-side corner.
Bottom Safe Padding — Default: 45
Extra clearance when the panel is positioned in a bottom corner.
Instance Tag — Default: Auto
Used to separate multiple MSMO Lot Pilot instances. Auto is recommended for normal use.
Show Warnings — Default: true
Enables non-blocking warning messages.
Risk Warning Threshold (%) — Default: 5.0
Displays a warning when Risk Percent is greater than this value.
High Spread (% of SL) — Default: 20.0
Displays a warning when Spread reaches the configured percentage of the entered Stop Loss distance.
15. Frequently Asked Questions
Does MSMO Lot Pilot place trades?
No. It does not open, close, modify or manage trades.
Does it provide trading signals?
No. MSMO Lot Pilot does not generate buy or sell signals.
Should Stop Loss be entered in pips or points?
Points. Enter the planned distance using the symbol points reported by MetaTrader.
Why can Actual Risk be slightly lower than my selected Risk Percent?
Because trading volume must follow the broker-reported Volume Step. MSMO Lot Pilot floors the calculated lot to a valid step and then recalculates the estimated risk for that final volume.
Why does MSMO Lot Pilot sometimes show N/A or CALCULATION UNAVAILABLE?
The current setup cannot produce a valid calculation. For example, an input may be invalid, the required lot may be below the broker Minimum Volume, or required symbol data may not be available. The Status section displays the reason.
Why does it not automatically use the broker Minimum Volume?
If the calculated position is smaller than the broker minimum, increasing it automatically could exceed the risk you selected. MSMO Lot Pilot therefore reports the calculation as unavailable rather than silently increasing the position size.
What Account Base should I use?
That depends on your own workflow. You can select Balance, Equity, Lower of Balance and Equity, or Higher of Balance and Equity. Lower B/E is the default setting.
Why can Stop Loss produce an INPUT ERROR on some symbols?
Some symbols have a Tick Size that differs from their Point value. The entered Stop Loss distance must correspond to a valid Tick Size increment for that symbol.
Can MSMO Lot Pilot be used on Forex, gold, indices and crypto?
The utility uses the specifications supplied by the broker rather than a hard-coded asset-class list. A calculation requires valid Point, Tick Size, Loss Tick Value and volume specifications from the broker.
Can I use multiple copies on one chart?
Yes. Multiple instances are supported and can use different input settings.
Does Actual Risk include commission?
No.
Does Actual Risk include swaps?
No.
Does Actual Risk include slippage or price gaps?
No. Actual Risk estimates the risk associated with the planned Stop Loss distance and the final calculated lot.
Is Spread included in the risk calculation?
No. Spread is displayed for context and can trigger a warning when it becomes high relative to the Stop Loss, but it is not added to the Stop Loss distance used for the lot calculation.
Can the same settings produce different calculations with different brokers?
Yes. Different brokers can report different Tick Size, Tick Value, Spread and volume specifications.
Does MSMO Lot Pilot use DLL imports?
No.
Does MSMO Lot Pilot use external network connections?
No.
16. Final Notes
MSMO Lot Pilot is intended to make one part of the pre-trade process clearer: translating a selected risk level and a planned Stop Loss distance into a broker-valid position size while also showing the estimated risk of the final normalized volume.
It is a calculation and information utility, not a trading system.
The trading decision, trade execution and overall risk management process remain the responsibility of the user.
MSMO Lot Pilot is available on the MQL5 Market:
MSMO Lot Pilot — MQL5 Market
