This calculator measures the percentage and absolute decline from your account's highest equity point to its current level. Australia traders can use it to assess drawdown severity without exposing account data to a server.
How it works
Drawdown represents the reduction from your account's peak equity to its current value, expressed as both a percentage and an absolute loss. It's the standard metric for quantifying how far your account has fallen from its best point, regardless of intermediate gains or losses.
Formula:
Drawdown % = (peak equity - current equity) / peak equity × 100%
The formula is currency-agnostic — it works identically for AUD, USD, or any other account denomination. The absolute drawdown (peak minus current) is always in your account's base currency. No pip-step or lot-size adjustments are needed because this calculator operates on equity values, not price movements.
Worked example
Example: AUD account
- Peak equity: AUD 12,500
- Current equity: AUD 9,800
We subtract current equity from peak equity (AUD 12,500 - AUD 9,800 = AUD 2,700), divide by peak equity (AUD 2,700 / AUD 12,500 = 0.216), then multiply by 100%.
Result: 21.6% drawdown (AUD 2,700 loss from peak)
This means the account has lost 21.6% of its highest value. To recover to the peak, the account would need to gain 27.5% from the current level.
Edge cases
- Negative equity scenarios: If current equity is below zero (account in debt), the calculator shows >100% drawdown. This indicates a margin call or negative balance situation.
- Multiple peaks: The calculator uses the single highest equity value entered. If you had multiple peaks, only the highest matters for drawdown calculation.
- Deposits and withdrawals: The calculator does not adjust for external cash flows. A deposit after the peak will show reduced drawdown; a withdrawal will show increased drawdown.
- Zero current equity: If current equity is zero, drawdown is exactly 100% — the account has lost its entire peak value.
Glossary
- Drawdown — The decline from a peak equity value to a subsequent trough, expressed as a percentage or absolute amount.
- Equity — The current value of your trading account, including open positions' unrealized profit or loss.
- P&L — Profit and loss; the net change in account value from all closed and open positions.
FAQ
How accurate is this Drawdown Calculator?
The math is exact — the formula is a simple division and multiplication. Accuracy depends on the equity values you enter. The calculator does not fetch live market rates; it uses the values you provide.
Does it work for any broker?
Yes. Drawdown is a universal concept independent of broker-specific features. The formula is the same whether you trade with a market maker, ECN, or DMA broker.
What if my pair isn't in the dropdown?
This calculator does not use a pair dropdown — it operates on equity values only. No instrument selection is needed.
Why does the result differ from my broker's panel?
Brokers may calculate drawdown differently — some use daily close, others use intraday peaks, and some adjust for deposits or withdrawals. This calculator uses the raw peak and current values you enter, without any adjustments.
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