Topstep Rules & Trading Combine Guide (2026)

Everything you need to know about Topstep's Trading Combine rules, drawdown limits, and funded account requirements — updated for 2026.

✓ Last verified: March 2026

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Rule	Details
Account Sizes	$50K / $100K / $150K
Evaluation Type	Trading Combine (sim evaluation, then funded)
Profit Target	$3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000
Trailing Drawdown (EOD)	$2,000 / $3,000 / $4,500
Daily Loss Limit	None in Combine; $1,000 / $2,000 / $3,000 in funded
Consistency Rule	No single day > 50% of profit target
Min Trading Days	2–3 winning days recommended
Max Position Size	5 / 10 / 15 contracts
Allowed Instruments	All CME futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC, YM, RTY, etc.)
News Trading	Yes, allowed
Weekend Holding	No — must be flat by close
Trading Hours	CME Globex hours
Payout Split	90/10 initially, up to 100%
Payout Frequency	After reaching profit target in funded account
Platform	Rithmic, CQG (NinjaTrader, TradingView, etc.)
Monthly Fee	$49 / $99 / $149
Reset Fee	$49 / $99 / $149

Drawdown Rules Explained

Topstep uses an end-of-day (EOD) trailing drawdown. This means your drawdown level only updates at the end of each trading day based on your closing balance — not intraday highs.

Worked Example ($100K Account)

You start with a $100,000 balance and a $3,000 trailing drawdown, so your floor is $97,000.

Day 1: You close the day at $101,500. Your new floor moves up to $98,500 ($101,500 − $3,000).
Day 2: You have an intraday peak of $103,000 but close at $100,800. The floor stays at $98,500 because EOD trailing only uses end-of-day balance, and $100,800 − $3,000 = $97,800, which is below the current floor.
Day 3: You close at $102,200. Floor moves to $99,200.

Key insight: Unlike intraday trailing, your floor never moves up during the session — only at the close. This gives you breathing room for intraday swings.

Once your account equity touches the drawdown floor at any point, the account is breached and you must reset.

How the Trading Combine Works

The Topstep Trading Combine is a simulated evaluation where you prove your trading skills before receiving a funded account.

Subscribe — choose your account size ($50K, $100K, or $150K) and pay the monthly fee.
Hit the profit target — trade until you reach the required profit target ($3K/$6K/$9K) while staying within the drawdown.
Meet the consistency rule — no single trading day can account for more than 50% of your total profits.
Get funded — once you pass, Topstep provides a live funded account with real capital.

There is no time limit on the Combine. You can take as long as you need, paying the monthly fee until you pass.

In the funded account, a daily loss limit applies ($1,000/$2,000/$3,000 depending on size). You receive a 90/10 profit split initially, scaling up to 100% as you prove consistency.

Common Mistakes That Break Topstep Rules

❌ Ignoring the consistency rule

Having one massive green day that exceeds 50% of your total profit will disqualify you. Spread your gains across multiple sessions.

❌ Holding positions into the close

Topstep requires you to be flat by the market close. Forgetting to close positions before the session ends will count as a rule violation.

❌ Over-leveraging with max contracts

Just because you can trade 10 contracts on a $100K account doesn't mean you should. Starting with 1–3 contracts and scaling up is far safer.

❌ Trading through the drawdown floor

Not having a hard stop at your drawdown floor is the fastest way to blow an account. Always know your max loss for the day.

Tips for Passing Your Topstep Evaluation

Start with 1–2 contracts and scale only after building a profit cushion above your drawdown floor.
Focus on 1–2 instruments you know well (e.g., ES and NQ) rather than trading everything.
Use a daily P&L tracker to monitor your consistency rule compliance in real time.
Set a daily loss limit for yourself that is well below the drawdown floor — stop trading after 2 consecutive losers.
Treat the Combine exactly like a real funded account. The habits you build now carry over.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to pass the Topstep Combine?

There is no time limit. You can trade the Combine for as long as you need, paying the monthly subscription fee until you pass.

What happens if I break a rule during the Combine?

Your Combine account is closed and you must purchase a reset (same price as the monthly fee) to start over. Your previous progress does not carry over.

Can I trade during news events with Topstep?

Yes, Topstep allows trading during news events. However, many experienced traders avoid high-impact news due to slippage and volatility.

What is the Topstep consistency rule?

No single trading day can account for more than 50% of your total profit target. For a $100K account with a $6,000 target, no single day can exceed $3,000 in profit.