Stop Loss
A stop loss is a predefined price level at which a trade is automatically closed to prevent further losses. Setting a stop loss before entering a trade is a fundamental risk management discipline.
Why it matters for traders
Stop losses define your maximum risk on any trade. Without a stop loss, a trade can move against you indefinitely. Setting and respecting stop losses prevents catastrophic single-trade losses and allows you to size positions correctly.
How Tradapt tracks this
Tradapt tracks whether you respected your planned stop loss on each trade via the rules followed field. This lets you see whether your actual exits match your planned risk — a common source of performance divergence.
Track this free in TradaptFrequently asked questions
Should I always use a stop loss?
Yes. Professional traders always define their maximum loss before entering a trade. Trades without a stop loss have undefined risk, making proper position sizing impossible.
Where should I place my stop loss?
Stop losses should be placed at technical levels that invalidate your trade thesis — below support for longs, above resistance for shorts. They should not be placed at round numbers or based on dollar amounts alone.