Scaling out on a 3-pip scalp makes no sense, here is my maths
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2026 9:31 pm
I see a lot of advice about scaling out of trades. For larger targets it can make sense. For my very short scalps, it doesn't, and the maths shows why.
Example on EURUSD: stop 4 pips, target 3 pips, round trip cost 0.7 pips. If I close half at 1.5 pips and the rest at 3:
For me the conclusion is simple: on scalps under 5 pips I take the whole trade off at one target.
Do others agree, or have you found a way to make partials useful on very small targets?
Example on EURUSD: stop 4 pips, target 3 pips, round trip cost 0.7 pips. If I close half at 1.5 pips and the rest at 3:
- The first half earns 1.5 minus the cost, about 0.8 pips net on that half.
- The second half earns 2.3 pips net if it reaches the target.
- The cost per lot doesn't change when you split, so the 0.7 pips is paid on both halves anyway. Splitting saves nothing on costs and only lowers the size that reaches the full target.
For me the conclusion is simple: on scalps under 5 pips I take the whole trade off at one target.
Do others agree, or have you found a way to make partials useful on very small targets?