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Tool / margin planning
Forex margin calculator
Use this educational calculator to connect trade units, price and leverage with notional exposure and required margin. Provider tiers, currency conversion and product rules can produce different real requirements.
Runs in your browserNo account · No API key
local only
How to use it
Numbers are clearer when the assumptions are visible.
Start with the default example. Change one input at a time and notice which part of the result moves. Then read the explanation below before using any real-world number.
- Use your account currency consistently.
- Include costs and uncertainty outside the simple model.
- Verify the product’s own contract or fee rules.
Quick answer
The short answer
Estimated margin equals notional exposure divided by leverage. The conversion input puts notional into your account currency; maintenance requirements and liquidation are outside this calculation.
Input reference and starting values
| Input | Meaning | Starting value |
|---|---|---|
| Trade units | Base-currency units | 10000 |
| Pair price | Quote per base unit | 1.08 |
| Leverage | For example 30 for 30:1 | 30 |
| Account conversion | Quote to account currency | 1 |
From units to required margin
The tool multiplies units by price and an account-currency conversion factor to estimate notional exposure. It then divides by leverage. If the account currency already matches the quote currency, the conversion input can remain one.
This is an initial illustration, not a provider quote. Tiered margin, hedging, weekend rules and instrument-specific rates may apply.
Working modelRequired margin ≈ units × price × conversion ÷ leverage
Margin is not maximum loss
Market movement applies to notional exposure. A one-percent adverse move can therefore be meaningful even when required collateral appears small.
Check free margin across the whole account, include correlated positions and read close-out rules before using leverage.
In practice
Margin is not a loss cap
An illustrative $10,000 of exposure at 20:1 leverage suggests $500 of initial margin before currency conversion or broker rules. The full exposure still moves with the market.
A broker can use a different contract size, conversion rate and maintenance threshold. Verify current product documentation and never treat this educational estimate as a liquidation price.
Primary references
Continue with original sources.
These links provide definitions and current context. Product rules, regulation and network details can change, so verify time-sensitive information at the source.
Common questions
Before you move on
Does this include maintenance margin?+
No. It estimates a simple initial requirement. Provider thresholds must be checked separately.
What should conversion be?+
Use the rate that converts quote-currency notional into the account currency; use one when they match.
Can leverage magnify losses?+
Yes. It creates larger exposure relative to posted collateral.
Continue this topic
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