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Forex Trading
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Margin Calculator

Calculate the margin required when you open a position in a currency pair. Find out about margin rules.

  1. Choose your primary account currency.
    (The tool will calculate the margin in this currency.)
  2. Select the position's currency pair from the list.
    (Its exchange rate then appears.)
  3. Select the margin ratio you've chosen for your account.
    Note: The margin for any particular currency pair may be capped at a lower ratio than you specify in your account preferences. (Read OANDA's margin policies.)
  4. Type in the number of units in the position.
  5. Use the Calculate button.
    The margin required is shown in the Margin Used field.
  6. After you've calculated a margin, you can change amounts or leverages to see an updated margin. (Click in another field if you don't see it update right away.)

This calculation uses the following formula:

({BASE} / {Home Currency}) * units) / (margin ratio)

For example, suppose:

Home Currency = USD
Currency Pair = GBP/CHF
Base = GBP; Quote = CHF
Base / Home Currency = GBP/USD = 1.5819
Units = 1000
Margin Ratio = 20:1

Then, margin used:
= (1.5819 * 1000) / 20
= 79.095 USD

Trading off-exchange foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and is not suitable for all investors. Trading through an online platform carries additional risks.
Please refer to our more detailed Risk Warning, and NFA's FOREX INVESTOR ALERT.
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