Prop Firm Scaling Plans Explained for Futures Traders
A scaling plan is the rule that controls how many contracts you’re allowed to trade as your account balance grows. Prop firms use scaling plans to stop new traders from going full cowboy on day one. If you ignore it, you’ll trip a violation long before you hit the profit target.
What a Scaling Plan Actually Is
A scaling plan sets a max position size based on your account’s net liquidation value. As your balance increases, the max contracts allowed increases. It’s simple math, but most traders mess it up because they don’t read the table.
You’ve already seen how this connects to risk limits if you read the soft vs hard breach rules article.
Example of a Typical Scaling Plan
| Account Balance | Max Contracts Allowed |
|---|---|
| $0–$52,500 | 3 contracts |
| $52,501–$55,000 | 5 contracts |
| $55,001+ | 7 contracts |
Once you pass a balance threshold, your limit increases — but only if your balance stays above that line.
How Scaling Plans Trigger Violations
The firm doesn’t care if the trade would have been profitable. If you exceed the contract limit even for one second:
- Some firms issue a soft breach (trading disabled)
- Others instantly fail the account (hard breach)
Topstep historically has been strict. Apex is more lenient. Leeloo and Bulenox fall somewhere in the middle.
How to Stay Compliant
A scaling plan is easy to follow if you use basic discipline:
- Know your limit before you even open the platform
- Don’t size up the second you hit the next tier — give yourself buffer
- Use micros to test new risk levels before committing with full-size contracts
Before you jump sizes, double-check your trailing drawdown. There’s a full explanation in Trailing Drawdown Explained.
Final Takeaway
Scaling plans aren’t complicated — they’re just rules. But if you size up too early, you’re done. Know your tier, track your balance, and only add size when your account can handle it.