ST Scalp Calculator
A free MetaTrader 4 scalping tool with commission-aware position sizing, fixed pip TP, ATR-based stop loss, and one-click trade execution.
Free Download Scalping EA v1.01
Who Is This For?
Scalpers
Traders who target small, quick profits of 3–10 pips per trade. You get in, grab your pips, and get out — no waiting for big moves.
Commission-Conscious Traders
When your target is only 5 pips, a 2-pip commission eats 40% of your profit if you don’t account for it. This tool makes sure you always net your target after costs.
Disciplined Risk Managers
You want every trade sized correctly at 2% risk — including commission costs. No mental math, no mistakes, no oversizing.
Why Scalpers Need a Commission-Aware Calculator
The Problem Most Scalpers Ignore
Imagine you scalp for 5 pips profit with a 2-pip commission. Without accounting for commission:
- You set TP at +5 pips from entry
- Trade hits TP — you think you made 5 pips
- Broker deducts 2 pips commission → actual profit: only 3 pips
- Your risk-reward ratio is worse than you planned
- Over hundreds of trades, this silently destroys your edge
The Solution
ST Scalp Calculator adds commission to your TP automatically. Just enter your broker’s commission in dollars per lot — the EA converts it to pips for each symbol:
- You set: Commission = $7/lot. On EURUSD the EA calculates this as 0.7 pips
- Target: 5 pips + 0.7 pip commission → TP set at 5.7 pips from entry
- When TP hits: gross +5.7 pips, minus 0.7 pip commission = net 5 pips exactly
- Switch to USDJPY? Same $7 auto-converts to ~1.1 pips. No manual math needed
- Lot sizing also includes commission in the risk calculation, so your 2% risk is accurate even at SL
What Does It Do?
A draggable on-chart panel that calculates your position size with commission factored into both your take profit and your risk.
ATR-Based Stop Loss
Stop loss is set at 0.5 × ATR + spread. Adapts to each pair’s volatility so you’re never stopped out by random noise.
Commission-Aware TP
TP = your target pips + commission. What you see as “net profit” is what you actually keep after broker costs.
True Risk Sizing
Lot size is calculated from SL distance plus commission. Your 2% risk means 2% including all costs — no hidden extra risk.
Panel Overview
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| ATR(14) | 14-period Average True Range in pips (measures volatility). |
| Spread | Current broker spread in pips. |
| Commission | Shows your commission in dollars per lot and the auto-calculated pip equivalent for the current symbol (e.g. $7/lot = 0.7 pips). |
| Direction | BUY or SELL. |
| Entry | Entry price (Ask for BUY, Bid for SELL). |
| Stop Loss | Price level: 0.5 × ATR + spread from entry. |
| Take Profit | Price level: target pips + commission pips from entry. |
| SL Pips | Stop loss distance + commission = total risk in pips if SL hit. |
| TP (gross) | Total TP distance in pips (target + commission). |
| TP (net) | Your actual profit in pips after commission is deducted. This is what you keep. |
| Lot Size | Position size. Accounts for commission in the risk denominator. |
| Risk (w/comm) | Actual dollar risk including commission, after lot rounding. |
| R:R (net) | Net reward (after comm) divided by total risk (SL + comm). The true ratio. |
How to Install
Step 1 — Download the file ST_ScalpCalc.mq4
Step 2 — Open MetaTrader 4 and go to File → Open Data Folder
Step 3 — Navigate to MQL4/Experts/ and paste the file there
Step 4 — Back in MT4, open the Navigator panel (Ctrl+N)
Step 5 — Right-click on Expert Advisors and click Refresh
Step 6 — Drag ST_ScalpCalc onto any chart
How to Use
1. Set Your Commission
Press F7 to open EA properties. In the Inputs tab, set Commission_USD to your broker’s round-trip commission in dollars per standard lot. The EA automatically converts this to pips for whatever symbol you’re trading.
| Broker Type | Commission per RT Lot | Set Commission_USD To |
|---|---|---|
| ECN (e.g. Blueberry, IC Markets, Pepperstone) | $7 | 7.0 |
| ECN (lower tier) | $5 | 5.0 |
| High commission broker | $10 | 10.0 |
| Spread-only broker (no separate commission) | $0 | 0.0 |
$7/lot = 0.7 pips.
2. Choose Direction
Click BUY or SELL. All values update instantly and lines are drawn on the chart.
3. Review the Numbers
Check the panel. Pay special attention to:
- TP (net) — this is your real profit after commission
- SL Pips — shows SL distance + commission = total risk
- R:R (net) — the true risk-reward after all costs
4. Execute the Trade
Click the EXECUTE BUY or EXECUTE SELL button. The EA opens the trade with the calculated lot size, SL, and TP set automatically.
5. Move the Panel
Click and drag the amber title bar to reposition the panel anywhere on the chart.
Default Settings
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ATR Period | 14 | Bars for ATR calculation |
| Risk Percent | 2.0% | % of balance to risk per trade (includes commission) |
| SL ATR Multiplier | 0.5 | Stop loss = this × ATR + spread |
| Target Pips | 5.0 | Net profit target in pips (what you keep) |
| Commission USD | 7.0 | Round-trip commission per standard lot in dollars. Auto-converted to pips. |
| ATR Timeframe | Current chart | Timeframe for ATR (can use H1 on M1 chart, etc.) |
| Slippage | 2.0 pips | Max allowed slippage |
| Magic Number | 20260212 | Unique trade identifier |
How the Math Works
Commission Conversion
Commission Pips = Commission_USD ÷ (Tick Value × Pips per Pip)
Example on EURUSD: $7 ÷ ($1 × 10) = 0.7 pips
Example on USDJPY: $7 ÷ ($0.65 × 10) ≈ 1.08 pips
Take Profit
TP Distance = Target Pips + Commission Pips (auto-calculated)
Example on EURUSD: 5 + 0.7 = 5.7 pips from entry
When TP hits: gross +5.7 pips − 0.7 pip commission = net +5 pips
Stop Loss
SL Distance = 0.5 × ATR(14) + Spread
Total Risk at SL (including commission)
Total Loss = SL Distance + Commission Pips
Example: 25 pip SL + 0.7 pip commission = 25.7 pips total risk
Lot Sizing
Risk Amount = Account Balance × 2%
Lot Size = Risk Amount ÷ (Total Risk in points × Tick Value)
The commission is in the denominator, so your lots are sized correctly for the true total risk.
Net Risk-Reward Ratio
R:R = Net TP Pips ÷ Total SL Risk
Example: 5 ÷ 25.7 = 1 : 0.19
Realistic Expectations for Scalping
The R:R Will Be Low — That’s Normal
With a 5-pip target and a 25-pip ATR-based SL, your risk-reward ratio is roughly 1:0.2. This means you need to win at least 84% of your trades just to break even.
Scalping is a high win-rate, low reward strategy. It only works if:
- You have a genuine edge in your entry timing
- You trade during liquid hours with tight spreads
- Your broker has low commission and fast execution
- You are disciplined — no “letting losses run” hoping they recover
If your win rate is below 80%, scalping 5 pips with this SL will lose money over time. Know your numbers.
ST Scalp Calculator vs ST Risk Calculator
| Feature | ST Risk Calculator | ST Scalp Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Take Profit | 3 × ATR + spread (wide, trend-following) | 5 pips + commission (tight, scalping) |
| Stop Loss | 0.5 × ATR + spread | 0.5 × ATR + spread (same) |
| Commission | Not factored in | Enter $/lot → auto-converted to pips per symbol |
| Risk Sizing | Based on SL distance only | Based on SL distance + commission |
| R:R Ratio | ~1:5.7 (high reward per trade) | ~1:0.2 (needs high win rate) |
| Trading Style | Swing / trend trades | Quick scalps |
| Hold Time | Hours to days | Minutes |
| Best For | Patient traders who ride trends | Active traders who trade frequently |
Frequently Asked Questions
My broker has no separate commission (spread-only). What do I set?
Set Commission_USD to 0.0. The TP will then be exactly your target pips. The spread is already accounted for in the SL calculation and in the entry price (you buy at Ask, sell at Bid).
How does the commission conversion work?
You enter your broker’s commission in dollars per round-trip lot (e.g. $7). The EA automatically converts this to pips using the symbol’s tick value:
- EURUSD: $7 ÷ $10/pip = 0.7 pips
- USDJPY: $7 ÷ ~$6.50/pip ≈ 1.08 pips
- XAUUSD: $7 ÷ $10/pip = 0.7 pips
The panel displays the conversion (e.g. $7/lot = 0.7 pips) so you can always verify. When you switch symbols, the pip equivalent updates automatically — no manual recalculation needed.
Can I change the target from 5 pips to something else?
Yes. Press F7, go to Inputs, and change Target_Pips to whatever you like. The TP will adjust to Target + Commission automatically.
Why is the R:R ratio so low?
That’s the nature of scalping. A 5-pip target with a 25-pip SL gives a 1:0.2 ratio. You need a high win rate (>80%) to be profitable. If your win rate isn’t high enough, consider increasing your target pips or using the ST Risk Calculator instead, which has a much higher R:R (~1:5.7).
Can I run this alongside ST Risk Calculator on the same chart?
Yes. They use different prefixes (ST_SC_ vs ST_RC_) and different Magic Numbers, so they won’t interfere with each other. However, MT4 only allows one EA per chart. To run both, attach them to two separate charts of the same pair.
Does this EA trade automatically?
No. It only trades when you click the Execute button. No automated entries, no signals, no background trading.
What timeframe should I use for scalping?
Most scalpers use M1 or M5 charts. You can also set the ATR_Timeframe input to a higher timeframe (e.g., M15 or H1) while keeping your chart on M1, so the ATR reflects broader volatility rather than micro-noise.
Risk Warning
Scalping requires fast execution, low spreads, and a genuine statistical edge. Many traders lose money scalping because costs eat into thin margins. This tool helps with accurate position sizing and cost accounting, but does not guarantee profits. Always trade with money you can afford to lose. You are solely responsible for your trading decisions.