Margin Calculator
Calculates the margin a broker reserves when a leveraged position opens. The result informs whether free margin is sufficient to absorb expected adverse movement before a margin call triggers.
This page covers the calculation; it is not trading advice.
How this calculation works
Margin held is the inverse of leverage applied to position notional value. At 1:30 leverage, margin is 1/30 of notional (3.33%). At 1:100, margin is 1% of notional.
Position notional is calculated in account currency. For an FX pair, notional = lot units in base × current exchange rate to the account currency. For an index or commodity CFD, notional = price × contract size × number of contracts.
The applicable leverage depends on instrument category and jurisdiction. ESMA caps retail leverage in the EU and UK as: 1:30 major FX, 1:20 non-major FX and gold, 1:10 non-gold commodities and major indices, 1:5 individual equities and minor indices, 1:2 cryptocurrencies. Brokers offshore offer higher caps to non-EU/UK clients.
Formula
- FX pair: margin = (lot units in base × exchange rate) ÷ leverage
- Index or commodity CFD: margin = (price × contract size × contracts) ÷ leverage
Worked example
EUR/USD, 1 standard lot at 1.0850, USD account, 1:30 leverage.
Notional = 100,000 × 1.0850 = $108,500. Margin = $108,500 ÷ 30 = $3,617.
GBP/USD, 1 standard lot at 1.2400, USD account, 1:30 leverage.
Notional = 100,000 × 1.2400 = $124,000. Margin = $124,000 ÷ 30 = $4,133.
XAU/USD, 1 standard lot of 100 troy ounces at 2,318.45, USD account, 1:20 leverage (gold cap).
Notional = 100 × 2,318.45 = $231,845. Margin = $231,845 ÷ 20 = $11,592.