Forex Margin Calculator
Calculate the margin required to open a forex position at a given leverage.
Please note: Forex trading carries a high risk of loss, amplified by leverage. Exchange rates must be entered manually — no live market data is used.
What the Forex Margin Calculator does
Margin is the deposit your broker requires to open a leveraged position. It is the notional value divided by the leverage ratio — the higher the leverage, the less capital is tied up, and the less room the position has before a margin call.
Formula
Notional value = Units × Price × Conversion rateRequired margin = Notional value ÷ LeverageMargin requirement % = 100 ÷ Leverage
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade size (lots) | number | Yes | Accepts more than 0. |
| Lot type | one of 4 options | Yes | — |
| Pair price | number | Yes | Price of the base currency in the quote currency. Accepts more than 0. |
| Leverage | one of 9 options | Yes | — |
| Quote → account currency rate | number | Yes | Accepts more than 0. |
| Account balance | selected currency | Optional | Optional — shows free margin. Accepts 0 or more. |
| Currency | one of 10 options | Optional | — |
How to use it
- Choose Lot type and Leverage.
- Enter Trade size (lots), Pair price and Quote → account currency rate.
- Optionally add Account balance.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
One standard lot of EUR/USD at 1.0850 with 1:30 leverage.
- Lots
- 1
- Price
- 1.0850
- Leverage
- 1:30
Notional $108,500 ÷ 30 = $3,616.67 of margin required.
Frequently asked questions
Is margin a fee?
No. It is collateral held while the position is open and released when you close it. What you actually pay is the spread, commission and any swap.