XMTrading's spreads are variable and vary significantly depending on the account type, ranging from a minimum of 0.0 pips to 2.0 pips. Minimizing trading costs hinges on choosing the right account type and utilizing cashback offers
This article provides a step-by-step, practical explanation of XM's spreads across its four account types, a list of the latest spreads for major currency pairs, points to note regarding times when spreads widen, and how to check them on MT4/MT5
- XM's spreads arevariable, ranging from a minimum of0.0 pips to 2.0 pips, and vary significantly depending on the account type.
- The cheapest overall option isthe KIWAMI Extreme account(USD/JPY 0.7 pips, no commission).
- The cheapest spread is offered bythe Zero account(0.0 pips + $7 round-trip commission / effectively equivalent to approximately 1.0 pips).
- Be aware of widening spreads: They can be 5 to 7 times wider than normal between 6:00 and 7:00 JST and during important economic indicator announcements.
- Money Charger's (Manecha) cashback program, you can further reduce your actual costs.
Contents
- 1 What are XM's spreads? | How the variable spread system works and the differences between account types
- 2 Spreads and Features of Each Account Type | XM Account Type Spread Comparison
- 3 XM's Spread List for Major Currency Pairs | Covering Major and Minor Currencies
- 4 A comprehensive comparison of XM's trading costs and spreads
- 5 How to check XM spreads | Step-by-step explanation of the procedure in MT4/MT5
- 6 XM spreads tend to widen during certain times and points to note
- 7 5 ways to effectively reduce XM spreads
- 8 [Reference] Comparison of spreads between XM and other overseas forex brokers
- 9 Common mistakes and points to note
- 10 FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions about XM's Spreads
- 11 summary
What are XM's spreads? | How the variable spread system works and the differences between account types
XMTradinga variable spread system, and the spread varies significantly depending on the account type (Standard Account, Micro Account, KIWAMI Extreme Account, Zero Account). By using XM-specific cashback services such as Money Charger, you can further reduce your effective trading costs.
The spread is the difference between the " ask price " and the " bid price " of a currency pair, and it is the actual trading cost that traders bear for each trade. With XM's variable spread system, the spread constantly fluctuates according to market liquidity and volatility, just like in the interbank market. While a fixed spread system maintains a constant spread regardless of market conditions, the variable spread system has the advantage of offering narrower spreads during periods of high liquidity
Furthermore, XMfractional pip pricing(displayed to 5 decimal places), enabling the provision of extremely small spreads of less than 1 pip. As a result, especially with the KIWAMI and Zero accounts, a competitive real spread environment is achieved in the industry.
What is the unit of spread, "pips"?
The spread is usually expressed in units called "pips." A pip represents the smallest unit of price movement, and it allows for a consistent comparison of spreads across different currency pairs
- USD/JPY changed from 1.0 pips to 0.01 yen (1 sen).
- EUR/USD moved from 1.0 pips to $0.0001 (0.01 cents).
Spreads and Features of Each Account Type | XM Account Type Spread Comparison
The KIWAMI account offers extremely low spreads, with no trading fees and starting from a minimum of 0.6 pips , while the Zero account offers extremely low spreads starting from a minimum of 0 pips (with separate trading fees). The Standard and Micro accounts have wider spreads, around 2.0 pips for USD/JPY, but are characterized by their eligibility for bonuses and XM points
| Account type | USD/JPYMinimum | EUR/USD min | Transaction fees | Bonus eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Account | 2.0 pips | 1.8 pips | free | subject |
| Micro account | 2.0 pips | 1.8 pips | free | subject |
| KIWAMI account | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips | free | Not applicable |
| Zero Account | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips | One-way $3.50/lot (Round trip $7) | Not applicable |
Standard and Micro accounts offerthe same. They are commission-free and eligible for deposit bonuses and XM Points (loyalty program), making them ideal for those who want to utilize bonuses in their trading.
The KIWAMI accountis a commission-free account type that offers extremely low spreads. It provides competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips to 0.8 pips on major currency pairs, andswap-free trading on over 30 instruments. It is recommended for traders who want to avoid swap point burdens for medium- to long-term holdings, and for traders who prioritize trading costs.
The Zero Accountis an account type specializing in extremely small spreads starting from a minimum of 0 pips. However,$3.50 per lot one way ($7 round trip)is incurred. When comparing total costs including trading commissions, the KIWAMI Extreme Account may be more cost-effective in some cases, so it is important to choose according to your trading style.
Comparison of cashback services that help reduce transaction costs
| Service Name | Features | Responding company | Fee | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Charger (Manecha) | XM offers the highest cashback rate in the industry | More than 22 companies, including XM | free | Average withdrawal speed 2 minutes 47 seconds |
| TariTali | Cashback offers for all types of overseas forex trading | Support from multiple vendors | free | Track record of long-term operation |
| FinalCashBack | Rebate program offered | Support from multiple vendors | free | Global expansion |
By opening an XM account and trading through their cashback service, you can significantly reduce your actual costs due to spreads . The mechanism, benefits, and points to note are explained in detail in the section on how to utilize the cashback service
XM's Spread List for Major Currency Pairs | Covering Major and Minor Currencies
XM's spreads for major currency pairs are competitive among overseas forex brokers, with USD/JPY at 0.7 pips and EUR/USD at 0.6 pips in the KIWAMI account. Below is a list of major currency pair spreads by account type (as of May 2026 / from the XM official website)
Minimum spread for major currency pairs
| currency pair | Standard/Micro | KIWAMI account | Zero account (fees not included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD/JPY | 2.0 pips | 0.7 pips | 0.0 pips |
| EUR/USD | 1.8 pips | 0.6 pips | 0.0 pips |
| GBP/USD | 2.4 pips | 0.7 pips | 0.2 pips |
| AUD/USD | 2.0 pips | 0.9 pips | 0.4 pips |
| USD/CHF | 2.4 pips | 0.9 pips | 0.4 pips |
| EUR/JPY | 2.7 pips | 1.2 pips | 0.4 pips |
| GBP/JPY | 3.6 pips | 1.4 pips | 1.2 pips |
Minimum spread for minor currency pairs
| currency pair | Standard/Micro | KIWAMI account | Zero account (fees not included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUD/JPY | 3.4 pips | 1.3 pips | 1.2 pips |
| NZD/USD | 2.8 pips | 1.2 pips | 1.0 pips |
| EUR/GBP | 2.0 pips | 0.9 pips | 0.3 pips |
| EUR/AUD | 3.4 pips | 1.5 pips | 1.0 pips |
The above are all minimum spreads and are subject to change depending on market conditions. For real-time spreads, please check the XM official website or log in to MT4/MT5
Spreads on other trading instruments (CFDs) | Gold, Crude Oil, Stock Indices, Cryptocurrencies
In addition to FX currency pairs, XM also offers CFD trading in precious metals ( gold and silver ), energy (crude oil and natural gas), stock indices, and cryptocurrencies. The spreads for these instruments also vary depending on the account type
| Brand Category | Representative Brands | Standard Account | KIWAMI account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metals (gold) | GOLD (XAU/USD) | 3.5 pips | 1.5 pips |
| Energy | WTI crude oil (OIL) | 0.04 USD | 0.04 USD |
| Stock price index | JP225 (Nikkei 225) | 12.0pt | 12.0pt |
| Cryptocurrency | BTC/USD | Approximately 65 USD | Approximately 40 USD |
Gold (XAU/USD) spreads are particularly popular at XM, and scalping is possible from as low as 1.5 pips with a KIWAMI account. For a cross-broker comparison of spreads and trading conditions, including those of other brokers besides XM, please refer to the overseas FX gold trading broker comparison
A comprehensive comparison of XM's trading costs and spreads
XM's total trading costsspreads, trading fees, and swaps. It's important to compare total costs, including trading fees, rather than choosing an account type based solely on spreads.
The following is a comparison of the total costs when trading 1 lot of USD/JPY
| Account type | spread | Transaction fee (round trip) | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Account | 2.0 pips | 0 | Equivalent to approximately 2.0 pips |
| KIWAMI account | 0.7 pips | 0 | Approximately 0.7 pips (lowest price) |
| Zero Account | 0.0 pips | $7 (equivalent to about 1.0 pips) | Equivalent to approximately 1.0 pips |
This comparisonthe KIWAMI account often has lower total costs than the Zero account. However, since the Zero account has a minimum spread of 0 pips, it can be advantageous in situations such as ultra-short-term trading like scalping.
Furthermore, by using cashback services such as Money Charger, you can receive cashback for each transaction, further reducing your effective total cost
How to check XM spreads | Step-by-step explanation of the procedure in MT4/MT5
Launch MT4/MT5 from XM's official website or app and log in to your trading account.You can also check real-time spreads on a demo account.
- PC version: Select "View" → "Market Watch" from the menu bar (or Ctrl+M)
- Smartphone version: Tap the "Quotes" tab at the bottom of the screen → Switch to "Detailed Mode"
On the PC version of MT4/MT5, right-click on the Market Watch window and select "Spread" from the menu. This will display the spread in points to the right of the Bid and Ask prices.
You can also check real-time spreads from the official XM smartphone app. After logging into the app, tap the desired currency pair from the list of instruments, and the current spread will be displayed
XM spreads tend to widen during certain times and points to note
XM's spreads tend to widen significantly during periods of low market liquidity. In particular, early morning hours in Japan (around 6 AM during daylight saving time and 7 AM during standard time) can see spreads widening to 5-7 times their normal size, so caution is advised. This is also known as the " night premium " or " early morning spread ."
When the spread is likely to widen
- Early morning Japan time (around 6:00-7:00 AM): This is a time when trading volume in the Oceania market is low after the New York market has closed. This is the time to be most cautious.
- Important economic indicator releases: US employment statistics, FOMC policy interest rate announcements, GDP releases from various countries, etc.
- Political events and breaking news: election results, geopolitical risks, statements by key figures.
- Opening on Monday morning: Spreads widen to reflect the risks accumulated over the weekend.
Actual measured spread in the early morning (for reference)
| currency pair | Standard spread | Early morning spread (reference value) | Magnification |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD/JPY | 2.0 pips | 7.6 pips | Approximately 3.8 times |
| EUR/JPY | 2.7 pips | 14.7 pips | Approximately 5.4 times |
| GBP/JPY | 3.6 pips | 16.9 pips | Approximately 4.7 times |
| EUR/USD | 1.8 pips | 8.0 pips | Approximately 4.4 times |
While widening of spreads is unavoidable,refraining from placing new orders during economic indicator announcementsandavoiding early morning trading. Since the risk of slippage also increases, it's advisable to use limit orders rather than market orders.
5 ways to effectively reduce XM spreads
If trading costs are your top priority, choose the KIWAMI account . It offers commission-free trading and spreads starting from a minimum of 0.6 pips. If bonuses are your priority, the Standard account is more suitable.
You can improve your effective spread by registering with an overseas FX cashback site like Money Charger and receiving cash back for each trade. Money Charger offers industry-leading withdrawal speeds averaging 2 minutes and 47 seconds , with a minimum withdrawal amount of 10 yen. For detailed instructions on how to register and link your account, please refer to the procedure for opening an XM-compatible account with Money Charger .
The period from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM Japan time, when the London and New York markets overlap, is when liquidity is highest and spreads tend to be narrowest.
With Standard and Micro accounts,XM Points (XMP). You can exchange accumulated XMP for bonuses, effectively reducing your spread costs.
Major currency pairs such as EUR/USD and USD/JPY have significantly narrower spreads compared to minor currency pairs. Beginners, in particular, are advised to start trading with major pairs
[Reference] Comparison of spreads between XM and other overseas forex brokers
This article compares XM's spreads to those of other brokers, focusing on major currency pairs (USD/JPY minimum spread). For a comprehensive cross-broker comparison, please also refer to our overseas FX spread comparison
| Company name | Narrowest spread account | USD/JPYMinimum | Transaction fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| XM (KIWAMI Kiwami) | KIWAMI account | 0.7 pips | free |
| Exdefine | ProDrive | 0.7 pips | free |
| FXGT | PRO Plus Account | 0.5 pips | free |
| AXIORY | Nano Account | 0.4 pips | Round trip $6/lot |
| TitanFX | Blade Account | 0.33 pips | Round trip $7/lot |
While XM may not have the lowest spreads alone, it is supported by many for its overall strengths, including abundant bonuses, reliable execution, Japanese language support, and stable withdrawals (for details on XM's strengths, weaknesses, and user reviews, see XMTrading's reputation and actual performance ). By combining it with cashback, the total cost becomes competitive with other companies.
Common mistakes and points to note
The Zero account is attractive because of its 0 pip spread, but you'll misjudge the actual costs if you don't factor in the round-trip trading commission of $7 per lot
To avoid this , always compare the total cost, which includes the spread plus the transaction fee
In the early morning hours in Japan , spreads widen to 5 to 7 times their normal size . If you scalp during this time, your profits will be wiped out by spread costs
To avoidtrading in the early morning, focus your trading on the London to New York hours.
XM does not allow you to change the account type of an existing account after it has been opened. If you want to use a different account type, you will need to open an additional account
As a workaround, you can open up to 8 accounts, so use multiple account types for different purposes.
Many people who feel that XM's spreads are wide are not using their cashback service
As a workaround, simply register for a cashback service such as Money Charger, and you'll receive cash back for every transaction.
Spreads widen sharply before and after the release of important economic indicators, resulting in unexpected costs
Check the economic calendar for safeguards and refrain from placing new orders before and after major economic indicators are released, or use limit orders
FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions about XM's Spreads
summary
XM uses a variable spread system, and the cost structure varies significantly depending on the account type. Let's review the key points of this article
- Standard and Micro accounts: Spreads are wider (USD/JPY 2.0 pips and up), but they are eligible for bonuses and XM points.
- KIWAMI Extreme Account: No commission fees, minimum 0.6 pips.Recommended if you prioritize total cost.
- Zero Account: Minimum 0 pips, but a round-trip trading fee of $7/lot applies.
- Be aware that spreads widen to 5-7 times the normal size during early morning hours and when economic indicators are released.
- By using cashback services in conjunction, you can further reduce the effective transaction costs
First, choose an account type that suits your trading style, and then start optimizing your trading costs with XM by signing up for free cashback services such as Money Charger. Real-time spreads can be checked anytime on MT4/MT5 or the official XM app
Even if you already have an XM account, you can switch to cashback by creating an additional account.
Source:XMTrading official website