# What is Scaling plan?

> Also called: Contract scaling, Scaling rule, Max contracts

**In short.** A scaling plan is the rule that limits how many contracts a prop firm account may trade until its balance grows: for example 2 minis (20 micros) until the account is up $1,500, then 5, then the full allowance. Trading above the current allowance is a breach on most firms.

**On today's board.** 0 of the 14 firms on the board apply a scaling plan on their reference account; 13 do not state one. Data checked October 15, 2026.

Scaling protects the firm from a trader sizing the maximum on day one. It also sizes you: with 2 minis and a 40-tick stop on NQ you risk $800 per full stop, which on a $2,500 drawdown is three losses. The position-size calculator on this site reads the maximum contracts of each account.

Some firms scale by profit steps, others by drawdown remaining, a few not at all. The firm page shows the scaling rule from the database, or 'not stated'.

- Guides on this term: [How many contracts to trade on a prop firm account](https://fillprint.io/en/journal/position-sizing-for-prop-firm-drawdown)
- Calculators: [Position size calculator for prop firm accounts](https://fillprint.io/en/tools/position-size)
- Read next: [Funded account](https://fillprint.io/en/glossary/funded-account)
- Read next: [Micro futures](https://fillprint.io/en/glossary/micro-futures)
- Read next: [Daily loss limit](https://fillprint.io/en/glossary/daily-loss-limit)

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