TopStep is one of the original futures prop firms and helped define what modern prop trading evaluations look like. Their Trading Combine uses a single-phase evaluation with a trailing drawdown that has a unique lock-in mechanic — one that many traders misunderstand until it costs them their account. Here is exactly how it works.
The Trading Combine (Single-Phase Evaluation)
TopStep uses a single-phase evaluation called the Trading Combine. Pass it and you receive a funded account. There is no second phase — you either meet all the rules and profit target, or you restart.
Like Apex, TopStep is futures-only. The available products are CME Group instruments including ES, NQ, YM (Dow futures), CL, GC (gold), and others. No forex, no equities. This is an important distinction if you come from a forex background — the margin requirements, tick values, and session times are different and require adjustment.
Rules Summary Table
| Rule | $50K Combine | $100K Combine | $150K Combine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit target | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Max daily loss | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Max trailing drawdown | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| Trailing type | EOD trailing (locks at start) | EOD trailing (locks at start) | EOD trailing (locks at start) |
| Consistency score | Required | Required | Required |
| Min trading days | None specified | None specified | None specified |
| Profit split (first $5K) | 90% to trader | 90% to trader | 90% to trader |
| Profit split (above $5K) | 80% to trader | 80% to trader | 80% to trader |
TopStep's Trailing Drawdown: The Lock-In Mechanic
TopStep's trailing drawdown is end-of-day (EOD) trailing — the floor only updates based on your balance at the close of each trading day, not intraday equity peaks. This is more forgiving than intraday trailing because a trade that runs up and reverses won't move your floor.
The key mechanic: on a $100K Combine with a $3,000 trailing drawdown, your floor starts at $97,000. As your EOD balance grows, the floor follows — always staying $3,000 below your highest EOD balance. Once your EOD balance reaches $100,000 (your starting balance), the floor locks permanently at $97,000.
Example: You start at $100K. After a good week your EOD balance is $101,500 — floor is now $98,500. After two more good days you're at $103,200 — floor is $100,200. Once your EOD balance hits $100,000, the floor locks at $97,000 and never moves again, no matter how high your balance goes. From that point, it behaves like a static drawdown account.
This lock-in is a powerful feature. It means that once you've built even a small amount of profit, your maximum possible loss from that point is capped and never changes. The goal should be to get the floor locked in as early as possible, then build profit on top of it with confidence.
Daily Loss Limit
TopStep's daily loss limit is hard — a breach on any single day resets your Combine. On a $100K account the limit is $2,000. This is measured from your starting balance for that day. If you begin the day at $103,000, your max loss on that day is $2,000 (you'd breach at $101,000).
Many traders set a personal daily stop at 60–70% of the daily limit. For example, stopping at $1,200–$1,400 of loss on a $100K account leaves room for slippage and spread on exit, and removes the temptation to revenge-trade after a bad open.
Consistency Score
TopStep has a consistency score requirement on both the Combine and funded account. The exact methodology is not publicly detailed in full, but the spirit of the rule is that no single day's profit should represent an outsized portion of your total profits. TopStep flags accounts where one or two trades account for the majority of the profit target.
Practically, this means you should aim for steady, distributed gains across many trading days rather than swinging for a 5% day. Consistent small wins across 10–15 days will satisfy the consistency score far more easily than 3 large days and several flat ones.
Funded Account: Profit Split
TopStep's profit split on funded accounts is tiered: 90% for the first $5,000 of profits, then 80% on everything above that. This front-loaded split is generous for traders who make multiple smaller payouts rather than waiting for one large one.
You can request a payout at any time once you have profit available. Most traders request their first payout early — it locks in real money, tests the payout process, and removes the psychological pressure of watching a large paper profit number.
Tools to Help
These calculators are particularly useful for TopStep traders:
- Drawdown Calculator — track exactly where your trailing floor sits and when it will lock in at your starting balance.
- Max Daily Loss Calculator — calculate your daily loss limit based on today's starting balance and set a personal stop threshold.
- Consistency Rule Calculator — check whether your profit distribution is likely to satisfy TopStep's consistency expectations.