Forex Margin Calculator
Calculate the required margin for any position before you open a trade. Avoid margin calls by knowing your exposure in advance.
Margin Calculator
Enter your position details to calculate the required margin deposit
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This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. Margin requirements vary between brokers. Trading forex carries significant risk. Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
What is the Margin Calculator?
The Margin Calculator shows the collateral your broker will lock up to keep a forex position open at your chosen leverage. Required margin is a function of three things: the notional value of your position (lot size times contract size times price), the leverage you trade at, and your account currency. Knowing the number before you click order lets you avoid surprise margin calls.
How to use it
- Choose the currency pair.
- Enter the lot size in standard lots.
- Enter the leverage your account is using (e.g. 30 for 1:30, 100 for 1:100).
- Select your account currency.
- Read the required margin and the notional value of the position.
Worked example
You want to open 1 standard lot of EUR/USD at 1.0850, with 1:30 leverage, account in USD.
- Notional value: 100,000 × 1.0850 = $108,500
- Required margin: $108,500 / 30 ≈ $3,617
The remaining account equity is your free margin, the buffer that absorbs any floating loss before the position is liquidated.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between margin and free margin?
Used margin is the amount locked against open positions. Free margin is your equity minus used margin, and it covers any floating losses. When free margin runs out, the broker triggers a margin call or a stop-out and starts closing positions.
Why does the leverage limit affect the result so much?
Higher leverage means the broker requires less collateral for the same position, which frees up cash for other trades but also amplifies the loss in percent terms if the trade goes against you. EU/UK retail accounts are usually capped at 1:30 for majors under ESMA/FCA rules.
Does the calculator handle metals and indices?
It handles the common forex pairs, gold and silver. Indices and shares often have very different contract specifications and lot-to-notional ratios, so for those rely on your broker's instrument page.
Why is my broker showing a different required margin?
Some brokers apply tiered margin rules that increase required margin once total exposure crosses a threshold, or they apply higher rates on weekends. The calculator gives the standard single-position figure; check your broker's margin schedule for special cases.
Prefer your phone? The Margin Calculator is also available as Margin inside Lot Size Calculator GT, our free Android app bundling 8 forex calculators. Works fully offline.
