Forex Margin Calculator
Calculate the margin required to open a position at any leverage. Pick a pair, lot size, and your broker's leverage tier – see required margin in your account currency instantly.
Required margin is the notional value of your position divided by your leverage:
notional_account = units × (base_ccy → account_ccy rate) margin_required = notional_account / leverage
Notional value is computed in the base currency (the first currency in the pair), then converted to your account currency at the current spot rate so the result is in terms you can compare to your account balance.
Pair: EUR/USD · Account: USD · Leverage: 1:30 · Size: 1 standard lot (100,000 EUR)
If EUR/USD is at 1.08, notional value = 100,000 × 1.08 = $108,000. Required margin = $108,000 ÷ 30 = $3,600.
Pair: USD/JPY · Account: EUR · Leverage: 1:50 · Size: 1 mini lot (10,000 USD)
Notional in EUR = 10,000 USD × (USD → EUR rate). At EUR/USD 1.08, that's 10,000 / 1.08 ≈ €9,259. Required margin = €9,259 ÷ 50 ≈ €185.
What is margin in forex trading?
Margin is the deposit your broker locks while a leveraged position is open. It is not a fee – it is collateral. When you close the position, the margin is released back to free balance. The ratio of margin to position notional is set by your account leverage.
How is required margin calculated?
Required margin = notional value of the position ÷ leverage. Notional value equals position size in units of the base currency, converted to your account currency at the current spot rate. At 1:30 leverage a $30,000 EUR/USD long requires $1,000 of margin.
What leverage do retail brokers offer?
EU and UK retail brokers cap leverage at 1:30 on majors (lower on minors and crypto) under ESMA / FCA rules. US retail caps at 1:50 on majors. Offshore brokers often advertise 1:200 to 1:500. Higher leverage means smaller required margin but identical risk if you do not size positions correctly.
Why is required margin different across pairs?
Notional value is calculated in the base currency, then converted to your account currency. EUR/USD and GBP/USD have different EUR-vs-account and GBP-vs-account spot rates, so the same lot size produces different notional values and different margin requirements.
What happens if my margin is not enough?
Once equity falls below required margin you receive a margin call and the broker may close positions automatically (a "stop out") to prevent the account going negative. Always keep free margin well above the minimum to absorb intraday volatility.