Calculate the margin your broker holds to open a position, for any currency pair, gold or oil, at your leverage and live prices.
Loading live prices…
How forex margin is calculated
Required margin = position value ÷ leverage
The position value is the number of units multiplied by the price, in your account currency. One lot of EUR/USD at 1.1400 is 100,000 euros, worth $114,000. At 1:30 leverage the broker holds $114,000 ÷ 30 = $3,800 as margin; at 1:100 it holds $1,140.
Leverage is often written as a margin percentage instead: 1:30 is 3.33% margin, 1:50 is 2%, 1:100 is 1%.
Leverage limits for retail traders
In the EU, UK and Australia, retail leverage is capped at 1:30 for major currency pairs, 1:20 for minor pairs and gold, and 1:10 for commodities other than gold, such as oil. In the US the limit is 1:50 on majors. Offshore brokers often offer 1:500 or more. Our broker guide covers which regulators apply where.
Margin is not your risk
Margin is a deposit, not a cost. What you can lose is set by the position size and how far the price moves against you. The danger is that high leverage lets you open a position that is far too large for the account: if losses eat into the margin, the broker issues a margin call and then closes positions automatically. Size trades with the position size calculator first, then use this page to check the margin fits comfortably within your free margin. See also how to use forex leverage safely.
FAQ
What is free margin? Your equity minus the margin used by open positions. It is what is left to absorb losses and open new trades.
What is a margin level? Equity ÷ used margin × 100%. Many brokers issue a margin call around 100% and start closing positions at 50% (the stop-out level).