Trading Plan Template: How to Write One You Will Actually Follow (With a Filled-In Example)

A complete trading plan template you can copy: twelve sections covering goals, markets, setups, risk limits, a drawdown ladder, a pre-trade checklist, management rules, journaling and scaling, with a filled-in example and a one-page version.

In this guide

1. 1. Why a Written Plan Beats a Mental One
2. 2. The Twelve Sections at a Glance
3. 3. Goals: Process First, Outcome Second
4. 4. Markets, Timeframes and Trading Hours
5. 5. Setups: Write Each One as a Recipe
6. 6. Risk Rules: Per Trade, Per Day, Per Week
7. 7. The Drawdown Ladder
8. 8. The Pre-Trade Checklist and Trade Management
9. 9. Journaling and Review Schedule
10. 10. Rules for Scaling Up (and Down)
11. 11. The One-Page Template
12. 12. Why Most Plans Fail
13. 13. Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What should a trading plan include?

At minimum: your goals, the markets and timeframes you trade, written setups with entry, stop and target, risk per trade, daily and weekly loss limits, a drawdown ladder, a pre-trade checklist, trade management rules, a journal and review schedule, and rules for scaling risk.

How long should a trading plan be?

One to two pages is enough. The goal is a document you will actually read before each session. Details of each setup can sit in a separate page, but the core rules should fit on one.

How do I write a trading plan as a beginner?

Start small: one instrument, one timeframe, one setup, a fixed risk per trade (for example 0.5% to 1%), a daily loss limit and a simple journal. Trade it on a demo account for a set number of trades, review, and expand only when the data supports it.

How often should I change my trading plan?

Only at your scheduled reviews, usually monthly or quarterly, and only when your journal data justifies the change. Changing the plan in the middle of a drawdown is usually a sign of emotion rather than analysis.

What is a drawdown ladder?

A drawdown ladder is a list of pre-agreed actions triggered by how far your account is below its peak, such as cutting risk at -3% and stopping live trading at -8%. It makes risk reduction automatic instead of emotional.