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How to calculate the minimum amount required to place order?


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Trading is risky. Your capital is at risk.

To trade in financial markets, you need to know the minimum amount to open a trade. This depends on trade size, leverage, and the asset's price. We'll explain how to calculate the margin with examples.

Formula: Margin = V (lots) × Contract size per lot / Leverage

Where:

  • Margin - the required amount to open a trade.
  • V (lots) - volume in lots.
  • Contract size per lot - 100,000 units of the base currency.
  • Leverage - allows increasing position size using borrowed funds.

Base currency is the first in the pair, e.g.:

EURUSD - EUR;

USDJPY - USD.

Convert margin to deposit currency (USD, EUR, etc.) based on the current rate.

Example #1. Margin Calculation for Currency Pairs

  • Instrument - EURUSD;
  • Volume - 0.1 lots;
  • Contract size - 100,000 EUR;
  • Leverage - 1:100;
  • EURUSD rate - 1.35400;
  • Deposit currency - USD.

Calculation:

  • Margin = 0.1 × 100,000 EUR / 100 = 100 EUR.
  • In USD: 100 EUR × 1.35400 = 135.40 USD.

Example #2. Margin Calculation for Cross-Rate Pairs

  • Instrument - AUDCAD;
  • Volume - 0.1 lots;
  • Contract size - 100,000 AUD;
  • Leverage - 1:100;
  • AUDCAD rate - 0.99484;
  • AUDUSD rate - 0.78373;
  • Deposit currency - USD.

Calculation:

  • Margin = 0.1 × 100,000 AUD / 100 = 100 AUD.
  • In USD: 100 AUD × 0.78373 = 78.37 USD.

Example #3. Margin Calculation for Spot Metals

  • Instrument - XAUUSD;
  • Volume - 0.1 lots;
  • Contract - 100 troy oz;
  • Leverage - 1:500;
  • Price - 1332.442;
  • Deposit currency - USD.

Calculation:

  • Margin = 0.1 × 100 oz × 1332.442 / 500 = 26.65 USD.

Example #4. Margin Calculation for Cryptocurrencies

  • Instrument - XBNUSD;
  • Volume - 0.1 lots;
  • Price - 998.500;
  • Deposit currency - USD.

Calculation:

  • Margin = 0.1 × 1 × 998.500 × 50% = 49.93 USD.

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Alpari, the trading name of Parlance Trading Ltd, Bonovo Road – Fomboni, Island of Mohéli – Comoros Union, is incorporated under registered number HY00423015 and licensed by the Mwali International Services Authority, Island of Mohéli as an International Brokerage and Clearing Company under number T2023236.

Risk Disclosure: Before trading, you should ensure that you've undergone sufficient preparation and fully understand the risks involved in margin trading.

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