Margin calculator
This margin calculator shows the deposit your provider will hold while a leveraged position is open. Choose the pair or gold, enter the price, the size in lots and the leverage available to you, and it returns the required margin in US dollars.
The margin calculator formula
Required margin = notional value ÷ leverage
Margin is not a fee. It is part of your balance set aside as a deposit while the position is open, and it returns to your free balance when you close. What you can lose is set by the price move and the position size, not by the margin.
Worked examples
Illustrative example One standard lot of AUD/USD at 0.6600 with 30:1 leverage:
- Notional: 100,000 × 0.6600 = $66,000
- Margin: $66,000 ÷ 30 = $2,200
One lot of gold (100 oz) at an illustrative price of $2,500, at the 20:1 retail cap for gold:
- Notional: 100 × $2,500 = $250,000
- Margin: $250,000 ÷ 20 = $12,500
Leverage caps that apply to retail clients
In the UK and EU, CFD leverage is limited to 30:1 on major currency pairs; 20:1 on other pairs, gold and major indices; 10:1 on other commodities and minor indices; 5:1 on individual shares; and 2:1 on crypto. US retail forex is capped at 50:1 on major pairs and 20:1 on others. If your equity falls to half the margin required, a UK or EU provider must begin closing positions.
How to read the result
The result is the amount set aside, not the amount at risk. Compare the required margin with your account balance. If one position uses most of your balance, even a small move against you can trigger a close-out. Use the position size calculator to set the size from your risk first, then check the margin here. The forex guide explains how leverage and margin fit together.