TL;DR — To calculate your forex rebate, multiply your per-lot rebate rate by your total trading volume in lots. For example, if your broker pays a $2 per lot rebate and you trade 50 lots in a month, your rebate is $100. Use our rebate calculator to do it instantly.

The simple formula behind every forex rebate

Forex rebates, also known as cashback, are straightforward: for every standard lot (100,000 units of base currency) you trade, your introducing broker (IB) returns a fixed amount to you. The formula is:

Rebate = Rebate per lot × Total lots traded

That's it. No compounding, no hidden conditions—just volume times rate. The rate is set by the IB and depends on the broker and account type. It's paid regardless of whether your trade made a profit or a loss, which is why many traders see rebates as a reliable way to lower their overall trading costs.

To put it into perspective, if your average spread cost is $10 per lot and you receive a $2 rebate, your effective cost drops to $8 per lot. Over hundreds of trades, that adds up to significant savings. That's why calculating your rebate accurately is a key step in managing your trading expenses.

Step-by-step: a worked example

Let's walk through a realistic scenario. Suppose you have a standard account and your broker offers a rebate of $4 per lot. You trade the following in a month:

  • On Monday, you open 2 lots of EUR/USD and close them the same day.
  • On Wednesday, you trade 1.5 lots of GBP/USD.
  • On Friday, you open a position of 0.5 lots on USD/JPY.

Your total volume for the week is 2 + 1.5 + 0.5 = 4 lots. Applying the formula:

Rebate = $4 per lot × 4 lots = $16

If you maintain a similar pace for four weeks, your monthly volume would be around 16 lots, giving you a rebate of 4 × 16 = $64. This is paid directly into your trading account on a daily or weekly basis, depending on the broker's policy.

What about partial lots and different currency pairs?

Rebates are calculated per standard lot, but your broker will pro-rate for smaller sizes. For example, if you trade 0.1 lots, you get 10% of the per-lot rebate. In the example above, a 0.5 lot trade would earn $2 (since 0.5 × $4 = $2).

Do different pairs earn different rebates? Usually, rebates are uniform across major forex pairs, but some brokers offer higher rebates for gold (XAUUSD) or other commodities. Always check the rate card for your specific instrument. For gold traders, our gold cashback page shows current rates.

Using the rebate calculator

Manual calculation works, but it becomes tedious when you have many trades. That's why we built a rebate calculator that does the math for you. Here's how to use it:

  1. Select your broker from the list (or choose "Other").
  2. Enter your average monthly volume in lots.
  3. Choose your account type (standard, raw, etc.) if applicable.
  4. The calculator instantly shows your estimated monthly and yearly cashback.

You can also use the switch calculator to compare what you're currently missing if you're not receiving rebates. It's a quick way to see the potential savings.

How rebates fit into your overall trading costs

Rebates are not a way to get rich overnight; they are a cost-reduction tool. To truly understand their value, compare them with your other costs, such as spreads and commissions. Here's a simple comparison:

Cost typeTypical cost per lotImpact on your bottom line
Spread (average)$8–$12Paid every time you open and close
Commission (if any)$3–$7Paid per side, per lot
Rebate$2–$8 per lot (hypothetical)Reduces your effective spread cost, paid back to you

As you can see, a rebate can offset a meaningful portion of your spread cost. Over a year, if you trade 500 lots, a $4 per lot rebate returns $2,000—money that stays in your trading account instead of going to the broker.

In our view — Rebates should be viewed as a consistent way to lower your trading costs, not as a profit source. Always factor them into your trading plan, but never increase your risk just to chase a larger rebate. The best approach is to trade your normal strategy and let the rebate accumulate as a bonus.

Common mistakes when calculating rebates

Even experienced traders can slip up. Here are the pitfalls to avoid:

  • Forgetting to include all trades—some platforms show volume in lots, but others use units. Convert units to lots if needed.
  • Assuming the rebate rate is the same for all pairs—check if gold or indices have different rates.
  • Mixing up round-turn vs. one-side volume. Most rebates are paid per round-turn lot (open and close), but some are per side. Confirm with your broker.
  • Ignoring the timing of rebate payments—some pay daily, others monthly. Plan your cash flow accordingly.

Where to go next

Now that you know how to calculate your forex rebate, take the next step: check the current rates on our broker rate board to see which brokers offer the best cashback for your trading style. If you're already with a broker, use the rebate calculator to estimate your monthly earnings. And if you're curious about how rebates work in more depth, read our guide to forex cashback.