4 or more day trades in 5 business days in a margin account.

Do cash accounts have PDT?

Cash accounts don’t have PDT flags but are limited by settlement; margin accounts get PDT restrictions.

What is the $25k rule?

To day trade freely in a margin account, you generally need ≥ $25,000 equity; otherwise restrictions apply.

How is buying power computed?

We use 4× equity if ≥ $25k, else 2×. Brokers may differ on exact margin policies.

Do options trades count?

Yes—opening and closing the same options position in a day counts as a day trade.

finance calculator

Pattern Day Trader (PDT) Checker

Check if your day trades trigger PDT status and show margin buying power.

Results

Triggers PDT: 1.00
Meets $25k rule: 1.00
Estimated buying power: $100,000 USD

How to use this calculator

Enter your day trades over a rolling 5-business-day window.
Enter your account equity.
See if you trigger PDT and the estimated buying power factor.

Inputs explained

Day trades in 5 days: Round trips (buy+sell same security same day) in a rolling 5-business-day period.
Account equity: Total account equity; PDT requires ≥ $25k for margin buying power.

How it works

PDT triggers at 4+ day trades in 5 business days.

Buying power uses 4× equity if ≥ $25k, else 2× for cash/limited margin.

Formula

PDT if day trades ≥ 4
BP = Equity × (4x if ≥25k else 2x)

When to use it

Checking if you’ll be flagged as a pattern day trader.
Planning trades to avoid PDT restrictions on smaller accounts.
Estimating margin buying power with/without the $25k threshold.

Tips & cautions

Keep day trades under 4 in 5 days if below $25k to avoid restrictions.
Cash accounts avoid PDT but have settlement timing constraints.
Broker rules vary; always confirm with your broker’s PDT and margin policies.
Simplified; brokers may calculate day trades and equity differently.
Does not account for unsettled funds or intra-day equity fluctuations.

Worked examples

4 day trades, $27k equity

PDT = yes
Buying power ≈ $108k

2 day trades, $18k equity

PDT = no
Buying power ≈ $36k

Deep dive

This PDT checker estimates whether your recent day trades trigger pattern day trader status and shows margin buying power. Enter day trades and equity to see if you meet the $25k rule and the buying power multiplier.

Use it to plan trades, avoid restrictions, and understand margin access on smaller vs. funded accounts. Broker rules vary—confirm details with your platform.

FAQs

What triggers PDT?: 4 or more day trades in 5 business days in a margin account.
Do cash accounts have PDT?: Cash accounts don’t have PDT flags but are limited by settlement; margin accounts get PDT restrictions.
What is the $25k rule?: To day trade freely in a margin account, you generally need ≥ $25,000 equity; otherwise restrictions apply.
How is buying power computed?: We use 4× equity if ≥ $25k, else 2×. Brokers may differ on exact margin policies.
Do options trades count?: Yes—opening and closing the same options position in a day counts as a day trade.

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Broker rules vary. Not legal or investment advice.