Real-Money Forex Trading Cost & Swap Simulator
Traders frequently lose track of invisible friction: overnight swaps and secondary commissions. Use this empirical tool to calculate exact total dollar costs and discover which account structure preserves your capital.
Real-Money Trading Cost & Swap Simulator
Compare total trade friction in real dollars across spreads, commissions, and overnight swap holding costs.
0.6–0.7 pip raw spread + 0 swap fees.
0.1 pip spread + $7.00/lot commission.
1.6+ pip wide spread + high swaps.
Understanding the 3 Types of Trade Friction
1. The Bid-Ask Spread
The immediate difference between the buy and sell price. On EUR/USD, each 1.0 pip spread equals exactly $10.00 cash friction per standard lot ($100,000 notional).
2. Secondary Commissions
Raw ECN accounts quote tight 0.0–0.2 spreads, but charge a fixed commission (typically $6.00 to $7.00 round-turn). For intraday scalpers, this fixed fee must be added to the spread.
3. Overnight Financing (Swaps)
Holding positions past 5:00 PM EST incurs interest rate rollover charges. On standard accounts, swing positions held for 7 to 21 days can easily accumulate $30 to $150+ in financing fees. True swap-free accounts eliminate this drag.