Margin Call Calculator

Calculate when a margin call is triggered for stocks (Reg T), forex, and crypto. Find the margin call price, distance to margin call, margin interest cost, and break-even return required.

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Margin Call Triggered When Position Falls To
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Distance to Margin Call (%) —
Cash Needed if Called Now —
Current Equity Ratio —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
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Margin Call Price (per share)
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Current Equity % —
Buffer Above Margin Call —
Margin Status —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾
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Position Overview

Position Market Value —
Initial Margin Required (Reg T) —
Margin Loan Amount —
Leverage Ratio —

Margin Call Risk

Maintenance Margin Required ($) —
Margin Call Price (per share) —

Cost of Margin

Margin Interest Cost (hold period) —
Required Return to Break Even (after interest) —

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your Account Equity and Maintenance Margin % (25% for FINRA-compliant stock accounts).
  2. Enter the Current Position Value.
  3. See the margin call trigger level and how far below the current price that is.
  4. Use Stocks tab for per-share margin call price, Forex tab for margin level, or Crypto tab for exchange-based leverage.
  5. Switch to Professional for full Reg T analysis and margin interest cost.

Formula

Margin Call Price (stock) = Loan / [Shares × (1 − Maintenance %)]

Forex Margin Level = (Equity / Used Margin) × 100%

Margin Interest = Loan × Annual Rate × (Days / 365)

Example

Example: Own 100 shares at $100 ($10,000). 50% initial margin: borrow $5,000. Maintenance 25%. Margin call price = $5,000 / (100 × 0.75) = $66.67/share. Current buffer = 33.3%. Annual interest at 12% on $5,000 = $600/year ($50/month).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A margin call occurs when your account equity falls below the maintenance margin requirement. Your broker demands you either deposit additional funds or liquidate positions to bring equity back above the minimum. Failure to meet a margin call results in forced liquidation at market prices.
  • For stocks: Margin Call Price = Loan Amount / (Shares × (1 − Maintenance %)). Example: $5,000 loan, 100 shares, 25% maintenance: $5,000 / (100 × 0.75) = $66.67/share.
  • Regulation T (Federal Reserve Board) sets initial margin at 50% — you must pay at least 50% of the stock purchase price with your own funds. FINRA Rule 4210 sets the minimum maintenance margin at 25%, though most brokers require 30-40%.
  • Forex uses margin as a deposit (usually 1-2% of position value), not a loan in the traditional sense. If margin level (equity / used margin) falls below 100%, a stop-out (forced close) is triggered. Many brokers issue a margin call warning at 120-150%.
  • Margin loans accrue daily interest. Typical rates range from 8-14% annually at major brokers. On a $50,000 loan at 12% annual rate, the daily cost is ~$16.44/day. This interest must be earned back before the leveraged trade becomes profitable.

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Sources & References (5) ▾
  1. FINRA Rule 4210 — Margin Requirements — FINRA
  2. SEC — Margin: Borrowing Money to Pay for Stocks — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  3. IBKR Margin Methodology — Interactive Brokers
  4. Schwab Margin Education — Charles Schwab
  5. Margin Calls Explained — Investopedia — Investopedia