> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tradealpha.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Read Your Portfolio Balance

> Your portfolio balance is measured against what you have put in, so you always know whether you are actually up or down, even after adding more funds.

Your **Portfolio** screen answers one question: am I up or down on the money I have put into Alpha?

To answer that honestly, Alpha tracks your **starting value**: the total of everything you have deposited. Your portfolio balance and the chart are measured against that number. When you deposit more, the starting value goes up by the same amount. Deposits never show as gains.

If the chart counted deposits as gains, adding \$1,000 would make you look like a great trader. That would be lying to you. Alpha measures you against what you put in, so the chart only goes up when your trading makes money.

## Worked example

1. You deposit **\$100**. Starting value: \$100. Portfolio balance: \$100.
2. You lose **\$20** trading. Portfolio balance: \$80. The chart shows you down 20%.
3. You deposit another **\$100**. Starting value is now **\$200**. Portfolio balance: \$180.

After step 3 you have \$180 in the account, but the chart still shows a downtrend, because you have put in \$200 and have \$180. That is correct. Adding cash did not make you a better trader, and the chart does not pretend it did.

The same logic applies in reverse: withdrawing money reduces your starting value, so a withdrawal does not show as a loss.

## What the numbers mean

| Field | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Portfolio balance** | Everything you have: available cash, margin locked in open positions, and unrealized PnL on those positions. |
| **Available balance** | Cash you can use to open new positions or withdraw. |
| **In positions** | Margin currently backing your open positions. Returned to available balance when you close. |
| **Unrealized PnL** | What your open positions are worth right now versus where you entered. Changes with every tick. |
| **Total PnL** | Portfolio balance minus your starting value. This is your real result. |

## Why my balance moved without a trade

* **Leverage fee.** Hourly leverage fee payments add to or subtract from the margin on each open position. See [Leverage fee](/faq/funding-rates).
* **Price moves.** Unrealized PnL changes as markets move, 24/7.
* **Fees.** Trading fees are deducted when an order fills.

## Your public profile uses the same numbers

The Total PnL shown on your public profile is calculated the same way, so anyone looking at your track record sees the real result, not deposits dressed up as returns.


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