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.

Reviewed 14 Sep 2026Methodology by Umar Farooq
Runs in your browserNo account · No API key
Input panel

Try an example

local only
Result appears here

Enter values above, then calculate. Use the output to inspect the assumptions—not to predict a return.

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.

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.

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.