What is a Pip in Forex
A pip is the standard unit for measuring price movement in forex. For most pairs quoted to four decimal places, one pip equals 0.0001. For example, if EUR/USD moves from 1.1050 to 1.1051, that is a 1-pip increase. For USD/JPY, quoted to two decimals, one pip is 0.01. The pip value depends on your lot size: a standard lot (100,000 units) of EUR/USD gives a $10 pip, a mini lot (10,000 units) gives $1, and a micro lot (1,000 units) gives $0.10. Bulgarian traders should note that because BGN is pegged to the euro at 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN, a $10 pip equals about 19.56 BGN. This conversion is crucial for understanding real gains in local terms. For example, if you trade EUR/USD with a mini lot and gain 50 pips, your profit is $50, which is approximately 97.79 BGN. The local financial authority (FSC) requires brokers to transparently display spreads in pips. A typical spread for EUR/USD with a regulated broker is 0.5 to 2 pips. Always factor this into your trade plan—if you aim for a 10-pip profit, a 2-pip spread means you need a 12-pip move to break even. Understanding pips also helps you calculate risk. If you set a stop-loss of 20 pips on a mini lot, your maximum loss is $20 (about 39.12 BGN). This discipline is vital for long-term success in Bulgaria's retail forex market.