Overview
The Daily Loss Limit (DLL) is optional in the Trading Combine® (TC) and Express Funded Account® (XFA). It’s automatic in the Live Funded Account® (LFA). Triggering it is not a rule violation — it's a forced break for the rest of that session.
What Happens When It Triggers
Net P&L hits or exceeds the DLL during the trading day (5 PM CT – 3:10 PM CT):
Open positions are flattened
Pending orders are canceled
No new trades until 5 PM CT next session
☝️ Account stays eligible for funding. Resume tomorrow.
Example: $150K Trading Combine® with a $3,000 DLL. Net P&L hits -$3,000 → auto-liquidated. Back at it tomorrow at 5 PM CT.
Set It at Purchase
You now have the option to add a Daily Loss Limit at checkout when purchasing a Trading Combine or activating/Reactivating an Express Funded Account.
The Daily Loss Limit parameters are:
$50K Account: $1,000
$100K Account: $2,000
$150K Account: $3,000
⚠️ Important:
Daily Loss Limit is fixed (no changes later)
Applies to your Express Funded Account after you pass
All original account rules and objectives still apply
Coach T Tip: Over 59% of traders have lost a Trading Combine or Express Funded Account in a single day. Adding a DLL to your account caps how much you can lose in a single session, so one bad day doesn’t turn into a closed account. The traders who last…manage risk first!
Adding a Daily Loss Limit helps you:
Stay disciplined
Protect your account
Trade like it’s real capital
💪 Always trade for tomorrow.
Responsible Trading Discount
There's now a Responsible Trading Discount when you add a DLL at purchase for No Activation Fee Trading Combines, Express Funded Account Activations, and Back2Funded Reactivations. Learn more here.
No Activation Fee Trading Combine | Back2Funded Reactivation: New! |
$10 off → 50K $20 off → 100K $30 off → 150K | $50 off Reactivation Fees |
If you don't set a Daily Loss Limit at purchase
After purchasing, you can still add a Daily Loss Limit manually through Risk Settings. Unlike Daily Loss Limits set at purchase, manual limits can be adjusted or removed at any time — making it easier to rationalize bad habits in the moment.
Set it Manually — Personal Daily Loss Limit (PDLL)
Set it Manually — Personal Daily Loss Limit (PDLL)
Didn't set one at purchase? Add a Personal Daily Loss Limit (PDLL) in Risk Settings any time. Manual PDLLs can be adjusted or removed — unlike purchase-set DLLs.
Choose your action when the PDLL hits:
Do Nothing — keep trading
Liquidate — immediate liquidation
Liquidate and Block — liquidation + locked out for the session
⚠️ Chose Liquidate and it triggered? You must increase your PDLL by the liquidated amount OR switch to "Do Nothing" before trading again. Example: PDLL at $200, liquidated at $209 → raise to at least $210 to resume.
Click "Lock Out Risk Settings For Day" to save.
Set it Manually — Trailing PDLL
Set it Manually — Trailing PDLL
The Trailing PDLL rises as your balance grows — locking in gains while capping downside.
Balance $50,000 + Trailing PDLL $500 → liquidation at $49,500
Balance grows to $51,200 → threshold moves to $50,700
Trailing method:
Unrealized Gains — adjusts in real time with open trades
Realized Gains — adjusts only after closing a profitable trade
How Does This Benefit Traders?
Protect profits — The limit trails your highest balance, letting you lock in gains while staying within a loss limit.
Dynamic loss limit — As your balance grows, the limit adjusts automatically so you can capitalize on strong days without taking on more risk.
Flexibility — Trail based on unrealized or realized profits to match your trading style.
After liquidation, system resets to "Do Nothing." Re-enable the Trailing PDLL manually.
☝Important: Traders can adjust or remove manual PDLLs unless risk settings are locked. Two exceptions: PDLLs set to "Liquidate and Block" can't be removed, and "Lock Out Settings for the Day" freezes all settings for the rest of the session — so if liquidation triggers at $200, you can't raise the limit to keep trading.
FAQs
Can Topstep remove my DLL or PDLL for me?
Can Topstep remove my DLL or PDLL for me?
No. Topstep cannot make any adjustments or changes to Personal Risk Settings. Once set, it can't be removed mid-session. Wait for the next trading session.
Is hitting the DLL a rule violation?
Is hitting the DLL a rule violation?
No. It's a temporary break — not a violation. Your account stays eligible for funding.
Can the Trailing PDLL go down?
Can the Trailing PDLL go down?
No. It only moves up as your balance increases. It never trails down.
What does "Realized Trailing" mean?
What does "Realized Trailing" mean?
Your loss limit stays fixed until you close a profitable trade. Once realized, it starts trailing. More control over when the adjustment kicks in.