Crypto Margin Calculator: Initial and Maintenance Margin
A margin calculator shows how much collateral a leveraged position ties up and how much of it can be lost before liquidation. Enter the position size, leverage and the maintenance margin rate.
- Initial margin
- $1,000
- Maintenance margin
- $50
- Buffer before liquidation
- $950
How it is calculated
- Initial margin = position size ÷ leverage
- Maintenance margin = position size × maintenance margin rate
- Buffer before liquidation = initial margin − maintenance margin
- Exchanges use tiered maintenance rates that rise with position size.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between initial and maintenance margin?
- Initial margin is the collateral needed to open a position. Maintenance margin is the minimum the position must keep; if losses take its equity below that, the exchange liquidates it.
- How much margin does a $10,000 position at 10x need?
- $1,000 of initial margin. At a 0.5% maintenance rate the maintenance margin is $50, so an isolated position can lose about $950 before liquidation.
- Does cross margin change the numbers?
- The initial and maintenance margin stay the same, but with cross margin your free balance also backs the position, so it can absorb larger losses before liquidation.