This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
What Is the FTMO Pass Rate?
FTMO does not officially publish exact pass rates, but based on publicly available data and community surveys, the estimated overall pass rate (both phases combined) is approximately 10-15%. This means roughly 85-90% of traders fail at some point during the evaluation.
Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Pass Rates
The FTMO Challenge consists of two phases with different targets:
| Phase | Profit Target | Time Limit | Estimated Pass Rate |
|---|
| Phase 1 (Challenge) | 10% | 30 days | 20-25% |
| Phase 2 (Verification) | 5% | 60 days | 50-60% |
| Combined | — | — | 10-15% |
Why Do Most Traders Fail the FTMO Challenge?
Based on analysis of common failure patterns:
- Hitting the daily loss limit (5%) — the #1 reason. A single bad day wipes out weeks of progress
- Overtrading — taking too many positions to rush toward the 10% target
- Revenge trading — doubling down after a loss instead of accepting it and moving on
- Ignoring the maximum drawdown (10%) — letting losing positions accumulate without proper stop losses
- News trading mistakes — large slippage during high-impact events can trigger drawdown limits instantly
5 Data-Backed Tips to Improve Your FTMO Pass Rate
1. Risk 1% Per Trade Maximum
With a 5% daily loss limit and 10% max drawdown, risking more than 1% per trade leaves almost no room for error. At 1% risk, you can absorb 4 consecutive losses in a day without hitting the daily limit.
2. Target 0.5% Daily Profit
10% in 30 days = 0.33% per day. Aiming for 0.5% per day gives you buffer days. Many successful traders only need 15-20 trading days to pass.
3. Stop Trading After 2 Losses in a Day
The daily loss limit is the #1 killer. Setting a personal rule to stop after 2 losses prevents revenge trading spirals that blow the daily limit.
4. Trade During High-Liquidity Sessions Only
London and New York sessions (8:00-17:00 GMT) offer the best spreads and most predictable price action. Avoid Asian session trading unless you specifically trade JPY or AUD pairs.
5. Use Phase 2 as Recovery Time
If you hit 8-9% profit in Phase 1 quickly, consider banking the gains and trading conservatively. Phase 2 only requires 5% and gives you 60 days — use this extra time.
How FTMO Compares to Other Firms
| Firm | Est. Overall Pass Rate | Challenge Cost ($100K) | Profit Target |
|---|
| FTMO | 10-15% | $540 | 10% + 5% |
| FundedNext | 12-18% | $549 | 10% + 5% |
| The5ers | 15-20% | $260 (Hyper Growth) | 8% (1-step) |
| FXIFY | 12-16% | $499 | 10% + 5% |
Should You Retry if You Fail?
If you failed due to a specific mistake (revenge trading, position sizing), fixing that mistake can dramatically improve your odds on a retry. FTMO offers a 10% discount on retries (Free Retry if you were in profit but breached a rule).
Before retrying:
- Analyze your trading journal for the exact failure point
- Practice on a demo account for at least 2 weeks with the same rules
- Consider a smaller account size if position sizing was the issue
Conclusion
The FTMO pass rate of 10-15% may sound low, but it is achievable for disciplined traders who manage risk properly. The key factors are: risk no more than 1% per trade, respect the daily loss limit above all else, and trade only during high-liquidity sessions. Focus on consistency over trying to hit the target quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the actual FTMO pass rate in 2026?
The FTMO pass rate is estimated between 10-15% for Phase 1 and approximately 50-60% for Phase 2 among those who pass Phase 1. The overall pass rate from initial purchase to funded account is roughly 5-9%, which is consistent with industry averages across major prop firms.
Q: Does FTMO offer free retries if you fail the challenge?
FTMO offers a Free Retry if you did not violate the maximum loss or daily loss limits but failed to reach the profit target within the time limit. If you breached a drawdown rule, you receive a 10% discount on your next purchase instead of a free retry.
Q: What is the most common reason traders fail the FTMO challenge?
The most common failure reason is breaching the daily loss limit (5% on the standard plan), which accounts for approximately 35-40% of all failures. This often happens through revenge trading after an initial loss or trading during high-volatility news events without proper stop losses.
Q: How long does it take the average trader to pass the FTMO challenge?
The average successful trader passes Phase 1 in 12-18 trading days and Phase 2 in 10-15 trading days. Including the gap between phases, the total time from purchase to funded account is typically 30-45 days for successful candidates.
Q: Is it harder to pass FTMO in 2026 compared to previous years?
FTMO has not significantly changed its challenge parameters, so the difficulty remains similar. However, the introduction of the 1-Step challenge option in recent years gives traders a faster (though slightly harder) alternative. The 2-Step remains statistically easier to pass per phase due to lower individual targets.
