Margin Calculator
The margin calculator shows how much of your account balance is required as collateral to open and hold a leveraged forex position. Understanding your margin requirement prevents margin calls and helps you manage how many positions you can hold simultaneously. Always ensure you have sufficient free margin to absorb drawdowns.
1.0 = standard lot (100k units)
e.g. 100 for 1:100 leverage
e.g. 1.10 for EUR/USD
Required Margin (USD)
$1100.00
Notional Value
$110,000
Margin Percentage
1.00%
Units Traded
100,000
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your lot size
The number of standard lots you plan to trade (1 lot = 100,000 units).
- 2
Enter your leverage
Your broker's leverage setting, e.g. 100 for 1:100 leverage.
- 3
Enter the current price
The current market price of the currency pair (specifically the base-to-USD rate).
- 4
Read required margin
The amount locked as margin for this position. Your free margin = account equity − used margin.
Formula
Required Margin = (Lot Size × 100,000 × Price) ÷ Leverage
Notional Value = Lot Size × 100,000 × Price
Margin % = 1 ÷ Leverage × 100The notional value is the full size of the position in dollars. Divide by leverage to get the margin required. At 1:100 leverage, a $110,000 notional position requires $1,100 in margin. The remaining equity is your free margin, which acts as a buffer against losses.
Worked Example
Lot size: 1 standard lot Leverage: 1:100 EUR/USD price: 1.1000 Notional = 100,000 × 1.1000 = $110,000 Required Margin = $110,000 ÷ 100 = $1,100 To open one standard lot of EUR/USD at 1.1000 with 1:100 leverage, you need $1,100 in your account as margin. Your $10,000 account still has $8,900 in free margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools
Sponsored
TradingView— free charts for forex, crypto & stocks
Used by 60 million traders. Free plan available, no credit card needed.