Margin Call Calculator
Calculate margin requirements, determine margin call thresholds, and analyze trading risk
Calculate Margin Requirements
Account Details
Amount of money deposited in broker account
Number of futures contracts to trade
Contract Specification
Required margin to open position
Minimum margin to maintain position
Trading Details
Dollar value per point movement
Margin Call Analysis
Current Account Status
Margin Requirements
✅ NO MARGIN CALL
Your account balance is above the maintenance margin requirement.
Risk Analysis
Margin Call Formula
Current Deposit (CD) = Initial Deposit ± Profit/Loss
Margin Call Condition: CD < Total Maintenance Margin
Extra Cash Required = Total Initial Margin - Current Deposit
Max Allowable Loss = Initial Deposit - Total Maintenance Margin
Real-World Example
E-mini S&P 500 Example
Contract: E-mini S&P 500 (ES)
Initial Deposit: $26,000
Number of Contracts: 2
Initial Margin per Contract: $12,650
Maintenance Margin per Contract: $11,500
Point Value: $50 per point
Price Movement Scenario
Buying Price: 4747.75 points
Current Price: 4527.25 points
Loss: 220.5 points × $50 × 2 contracts = $22,050
Current Deposit: $26,000 - $22,050 = $3,950
Maintenance Margin Required: $11,500 × 2 = $23,000
Result: MARGIN CALL TRIGGERED
Extra Cash Required: $25,300 - $3,950 = $21,350
Margin Trading Guidelines
Initial Margin
Minimum deposit required to open a position
Usually 3-12% of contract value
Maintenance Margin
Minimum balance to keep position open
Below this level triggers margin call
Margin Call
Broker demands additional funds
Must deposit up to initial margin level
What to Do on Margin Call
Add more funds to your account
Reduce position size by selling contracts
Close position entirely
Use hedging strategies with options
⚠️ Risk Warning
Margin trading involves high risk and can result in losses exceeding your initial investment.
Futures trading is not suitable for all investors. Consider your financial situation carefully.
Always use proper risk management and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Understanding Margin Calls
What is a Margin Call?
A margin call occurs when your account balance falls below the broker's required maintenance margin level. This happens when losses from your futures positions reduce your available equity below the minimum threshold needed to maintain your open positions.
How Margin Calls Work
- •Your broker monitors your account balance continuously
- •When balance drops below maintenance margin, they issue a margin call
- •You must deposit funds to restore balance to initial margin level
- •Failure to meet margin call may result in position liquidation
Key Formulas
Current Deposit = Initial Deposit ± P&L
Margin Call if: CD < Maintenance Margin
Extra Cash = Initial Margin - Current Deposit
Risk Management Tips
- ✓Maintain higher balances than minimum requirements
- ✓Set stop-loss orders to limit potential losses
- ✓Monitor positions frequently during volatile markets
- ✓Consider hedging strategies to reduce risk