Topstep rules explained (2026)
Everything you need to know about Topstep funded futures account rules — intraday trailing drawdown, the 50% consistency cap, no daily loss limit, and when the floor stops moving.
Trailing drawdown: intraday only
Topstep funded accounts use intraday trailing drawdown. The floor follows your highest unrealized equity tick by tick — open positions move it in real time. Unlike Apex EOD accounts, there is no option for end-of-day trailing on Topstep. If you are up $3,000 on a trade at 10 AM and the trade reverses to flat by noon, your floor has permanently risen by $3,000 — even though your closed balance hasn't changed.
This makes intraday Topstep accounts unforgiving for traders who let large unrealized gains run. The floor rises with every tick of open equity and never comes back down once it has moved. The practical implication: treat your unrealized P&L as real risk exposure, not just a number on a screen.
Drawdown amounts by account size
Topstep funded accounts come in two sizes:
- $50K account: $2,000 maximum drawdown
- $100K account: $3,000 maximum drawdown
These are smaller drawdown buffers than Apex ($5,500 on the $100K and $150K). A $3,000 drawdown on a $100K account means a 3% adverse move wipes the account — smaller than the average daily range on many futures contracts. Sizing accordingly is critical.
The floor locks permanently at your starting balance. Once your closed equity rises to and stays above $100,000 on a $100K account, the floor freezes at $100,000 and never trails again. Getting to this lock point is one of the safest states a funded account can be in.
No daily loss limit on funded accounts
The Topstep Combine (evaluation) has a daily loss limit. The funded account does not. This surprises many traders who passed their Combine managing around a daily loss limit — that rule disappears when you go funded. The only constraint is the trailing drawdown floor. You could technically lose $2,500 in a single session on the $50K account and remain in the account as long as you stay above the floor.
The 50% consistency cap
Topstep applies a 50% consistency rule on funded accounts: your single best trading day cannot exceed 50% of your total net profit at withdrawal time. If your best day was $2,000, you need at least $4,000 in total profit before a payout will clear. If it was a $5,000 day, you need $10,000 total — and none of the subsequent days should approach or exceed $5,000 or the concentration ratio will reset.
See the full consistency rule guide for how to calculate exactly how many more days and dollars you need before requesting a payout.
How Topstep compares to Apex
The main practical differences between Topstep and Apex funded accounts:
- Drawdown type: Topstep is intraday only. Apex offers both intraday and EOD — traders who want EOD mechanics must use Apex.
- Drawdown amount: Topstep's buffers are smaller ($2K–$3K vs Apex's $2.5K–$5.5K).
- Floor lock: Topstep locks at starting balance. Apex locks at $100 above starting balance.
- Consistency cap: Both are 50%.
- Daily loss limit: Neither has one on funded accounts.
See Apex vs Topstep rules compared for a full side-by-side breakdown.
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Track live — start free →Topstep rules — FAQ
What is the trailing drawdown on Topstep?
Topstep funded accounts use intraday trailing drawdown. The floor follows your highest unrealized equity in real time — open trades move the floor even before you close them. The drawdown amount is $2,000 on the 50K account and $3,000 on the 100K account.
Does Topstep have a daily loss limit on funded accounts?
No. Topstep funded accounts do not have a daily loss limit. The intraday trailing drawdown is the primary constraint. Note that the Topstep Combine (evaluation) does have a daily loss limit — this changes when you get funded.
What is the Topstep consistency rule?
Topstep funded accounts apply a 50% consistency cap. Your best single trading day cannot account for more than 50% of your total net profit at payout time.
When does the Topstep trailing drawdown floor lock?
The Topstep funded account floor locks at your exact starting balance. On a $150,000 account, once your closed equity has reached and stayed above $150,000, the floor freezes there permanently. Before that point, it trails upward with your highest unrealized equity.
How do Topstep payouts work?
Topstep allows payout requests after you have met the minimum trading day requirement and the consistency rule. Payouts are processed on a weekly cycle. You can withdraw up to your profit above the starting balance, subject to the consistency check.
Can I trade news events on Topstep?
Topstep does not explicitly prohibit news trading on funded accounts, but positions must be closed or hedged before certain major economic announcements. Review Topstep's current terms for the restricted events list.
What account sizes does Topstep offer?
Topstep offers funded futures accounts at $50,000 and $100,000. The evaluation (Combine) has the same sizes. The drawdown on funded accounts is $2,000 for 50K and $3,000 for 100K.
How is Topstep different from Apex?
The key differences: Topstep only offers intraday trailing (Apex offers both intraday and EOD). Topstep's drawdown amounts are smaller ($2,000–$3,000) versus Apex ($2,500–$5,500). Both have a 50% consistency cap and no daily loss limit on funded accounts. Topstep has fewer account sizes.
Risk-tracking tool, not financial advice, not affiliated with Topstep. Verify rules against Topstep's current terms — rules change without notice.