Quick answer: Topstep's Scaling Plan is an Express Funded Account (XFA) rule that sets your maximum position size from your current account balance. It does not turn a 50K account into a larger account size. As your XFA balance crosses a published threshold, more contract capacity becomes available for the next trading session.
The plan applies to 50K, 100K and 150K XFAs on both the Standard and Consistency payout paths. It does not apply to Live Funded Accounts, which use a separate system called Dynamic Live Risk Expansion.
Topstep XFA Scaling Plan Table (2026)
| XFA balance | 50K XFA | 100K XFA | 150K XFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below $1,500 | 2 lots | 3 lots | 3 lots |
| $1,500-$1,999.99 | 3 lots | 4 lots | 4 lots |
| $2,000-$2,999.99 | 5 lots | 5 lots | 5 lots |
| $3,000-$4,499.99 | 5 lots | 10 lots | 10 lots |
| $4,500+ | 5 lots | 10 lots | 15 lots |
These are mini-contract equivalents. The TopstepX Risk Settings page shows the limit available for your next session and remains the account-specific source of truth.
Topstep publishes the current thresholds in its official Scaling Plan guide.
How the XFA Scaling Plan Works
- Your XFA starts at a $0 balance. The account label is buying power; the funded-level balance grows from trading profit.
- Your current balance sets the position limit. A 50K XFA below $1,500 can hold two mini-equivalent lots. Above $2,000, its published maximum is five.
- A higher limit starts next session. Crossing a threshold during a session does not release more buying power immediately.
- The limit can move down. Trading losses or a payout can return the balance to a lower row and reduce the next session's maximum position size.
- The maximum is not a target. Traders can use fewer contracts than the dashboard permits.
Mini and Micro Contract Limits
For standard products, Topstep uses a 10:1 micro-to-mini ratio:
- One mini contract equals ten micro contracts.
- A two-lot limit permits two minis, twenty micros, or a mixed position with the same mini-equivalent exposure.
- Micro Silver (SIL) uses a 5:1 ratio to Silver (SI), so each SIL contract counts as two standard micros.
- Micro Bitcoin (MBT) is capped at the mini-equivalent lot limits rather than the standard 10:1 micro ratio.
- Micro Ether (MET) is capped at the mini-equivalent lot limits rather than the standard 10:1 micro ratio.
Worked Example: 50K XFA
A new 50K XFA begins at $0, so its starting Scaling Plan limit is two mini-equivalent lots. If the account closes a session at $1,700, the dashboard can show three lots for the next session. Once the balance reaches $2,000, the published 50K maximum is five lots.
If a payout or trading loss later reduces that balance below a threshold, the maximum position size decreases with it. This is why payout planning and contract planning should use the post-payout balance, not the balance shown before a request.
XFA Scaling Plan vs Live Funded Account Scaling
The XFA Scaling Plan does not apply to a Live Funded Account. Live accounts use Dynamic Live Risk Expansion, which adjusts Daily Loss Limit and maximum position size through a separate profit-and-active-day framework.
Topstep currently lists starting Live maximum position sizes of five lots for a 50K account, ten for a 100K account and fifteen for a 150K account. Expanded Live sizing beyond the standard limit is not automatic; it requires the published eligibility conditions and Risk Team approval.
What the Scaling Plan Does Not Do
A common misconception is that the plan converts one account label into another. It does not. A 50K XFA remains a 50K XFA while its allowable position size changes with its balance. A later call-up to a Live Funded Account is a separate Topstep process.
Risk control: Treat the dashboard limit as a ceiling, not a recommended position. A higher limit does not change the Maximum Loss Limit or make a larger trade suitable for your strategy.
Common Scaling Mistakes
1. Treating the table as account-size upgrades
The balance rows change contract capacity inside the existing XFA. They do not create a new account size.
2. Increasing size during the session
Crossing a balance threshold does not change the current session's limit. Wait for the next session and verify Risk Settings.
3. Assuming every micro uses the standard ratio
Special product weightings can consume buying power differently. Check the current product rules and net exposure.
4. Ignoring how a payout changes the balance tier
A payout can move the XFA to a lower row. Plan the next session from the remaining balance and dashboard limit.
Trade the Limit You Can Defend
Get the free FuturesHive risk framework for ES and NQ prop-firm accounts.
Get Free Access →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Scaling Plan apply to every Topstep account?
No. It is an XFA objective. Live Funded Accounts use Dynamic Live Risk Expansion instead.
When does a higher contract limit become available?
After the balance reaches the threshold, the higher limit is available for the next trading session. It does not increase mid-session.
Can a payout lower my contract limit?
Yes. If the payout reduces the XFA balance to a lower row, the maximum position size decreases accordingly.
How many micros equal one mini?
The standard ratio is ten micros to one mini. Some products use special weightings, so verify the current dashboard limit.
Bottom Line
Topstep's current Scaling Plan is a balance-based position-limit system for Express Funded Accounts. Know the row your balance occupies, wait until the next session before using a higher limit, and recheck the dashboard after every payout.
Do not confuse XFA contract scaling with a Live call-up or with Dynamic Live Risk Expansion. They are separate systems with different triggers and controls.
Build Around the Rules
Free Discord + a rules-based futures strategy for funded-account risk limits.
Get Free Access →