# Pip และ Spread คืออะไร ทำความเข้าใจง่าย ๆ สำหรับมือใหม่
Before you start trading Forex, you need to understand three basic terms: Pip, Point, Lot, and Spread. These determine how much you'll profit or lose on each trade.
What is a Pip?
Pip stands for "Percentage in Point" or "Price in Point." It's the unit for measuring price changes in Forex. For most currency pairs, 1 pip equals 0.0001.
Example: If EUR/USD moves from 1.0850 to 1.0851, that's a change of 1 pip.
For Japanese Yen pairs like USD/JPY, 1 pip equals 0.01.
What is a Point?
A point is a smaller unit than a pip. For most pairs, 1 pip = 10 points.
Example: EUR/USD moving from 1.08500 to 1.08501 is a change of 1 point or 0.1 pip.
What is a Lot?
A lot is the size of your trade position. There are three main sizes:
- Standard Lot = 100,000 units of the base currency
- Mini Lot = 10,000 units
- Micro Lot = 1,000 units
Example: Trading 1 standard lot of EUR/USD means buying 100,000 EUR and selling USD at the exchange rate.
What is a Spread?
Spread is the difference between the Bid (sell) price and Ask (buy) price. It's a hidden commission charged by your broker.
Example: EUR/USD Bid = 1.0850, Ask = 1.0852 Spread = 1.0852 - 1.0850 = 0.0002 = 2 pips
Profit/Loss Calculation Example
Suppose you buy EUR/USD 1 standard lot at 1.0850:
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If price rises to 1.0860 (100 pips profit) Profit = 100 pips × $10/pip = $1,000
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If price falls to 1.0840 (100 pips loss) Loss = 100 pips × $10/pip = $1,000
For 1 mini lot: profit/loss per pip = $1 For 1 micro lot: profit/loss per pip = $0.10
Tips for Checking Spread Before Trading
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Trade when spreads are lowest: during London and New York market overlap (around 14:00-17:00 Thailand time)
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Avoid trading during market open and close when spreads widen
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Avoid major news events when spreads can spike suddenly
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Compare spreads across multiple brokers before choosing
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Check if displayed spreads are average or actual, as some brokers show averages that may be lower than reality
Summary
Understanding pips, points, lots, and spread is essential for Forex traders. Correct profit/loss calculation helps you plan risk management and choose appropriate position sizes for your capital.
Beginners should start with micro or mini lots to control risk, then gradually increase position size as confidence grows.