Margin Calculator

Work out how much margin you need to open a trade from the position size, the current price and your leverage.

Example price filled in. Use the live price from TradeLocker.
1 lot = 100,000 units.
Enter 100 for 1:100.
Results are estimates in USD for a standard 100,000-unit lot. Your broker's contract sizes, margin rules and live prices apply.

How margin is calculated

Margin is the amount your broker sets aside from your balance to keep a leveraged position open. It is a fraction of the position's full value, and that fraction depends on your leverage. At 1:100, margin is 1% of the position value; at 1:30, it is about 3.33%.

Required margin = (units traded × price × USD value of the quote currency) ÷ leverage

Worked examples

  • EUR/USD at 1.08, 1 lot, 1:100: the position is worth $108,000, so the margin is $1,080.
  • USD/JPY, 1 lot, 1:100: the position is worth $100,000, so the margin is $1,000.
  • EUR/USD at 1.08, 0.1 lots, 1:30: the position is worth $10,800, so the margin is $360.

Margin is not your risk

Margin is a deposit, not the most you can lose. Your profit or loss depends on how far the price moves and your position size, not on leverage. Higher leverage only reduces the margin needed, which makes it easier to open positions that are too large for your account. Size trades with the position size calculator first, then check the margin here.

Frequently asked questions

What is a margin call?

If losses reduce your account equity close to the margin in use, your broker may warn you or start closing positions. The exact margin call and stop-out levels are set by your broker.

Who sets my leverage?

Your broker, not the trading platform. Read how leverage works on TradeLocker.

Related: how leverage works, pip value calculator. Trading leveraged products carries a high risk of loss. Read our risk disclosure.