Maintenance margin

What is Maintenance Margin in Forex and CFD Trading

Maintenance margin is the minimum level of Equity (or Margin Level percentage) a trader’s account must sustain relative to Used Margin to keep existing leveraged positions open. Set by the broker, if Equity falls below this threshold, a Margin Call is triggered — requiring the trader to deposit funds or close positions. Monitor it via the Margin Level percentage in your platform’s Terminal window.

Key Facts

• Definition: The minimum required ratio between Equity and Used Margin that prevents a Margin Call and forced position closure.
• Calculation: Margin Level = (Equity / Used Margin) × 100
• Typical Thresholds: 100% triggers a Margin Call; 50% triggers Stop Out / liquidation.
• Broker Discretion: Ranges from 20% to 100% depending on regulatory environment and account type.
• Risk Function: Safety buffer ensuring the broker can liquidate positions before floating losses exceed the Initial Margin.
• Volatility Impact: Rapid price moves can cross the Maintenance Margin threshold instantaneously, leading to immediate Stop Out.

How It Works

• Continuous Monitoring: The platform constantly calculates Margin Level (Equity ÷ Used Margin) in real-time.
• Margin Call Trigger (100%): When Margin Level hits the Maintenance Margin threshold, the trader is alerted. Equity now equals Used Margin — any further loss erodes the Initial Margin. Condition: Equity ≤ Maintenance Margin Level × Used Margin.
• Stop Out Trigger (50%): If losses continue and Margin Level reaches 50%, the platform automatically closes the most unprofitable position to reduce Used Margin.
• Position Liquidation: Positions are closed sequentially until Margin Level rises above the Stop Out threshold.

Example: Real Trade Scenarios

How Maintenance Margin Affects Your Risk

Maintenance Margin vs Related Concepts

vs Initial Margin: Initial Margin is collateral required to open a trade (pre-execution). Maintenance Margin is the minimum Equity needed to keep a trade open (post-execution).

vs Margin Call: Maintenance Margin is the pre-defined percentage threshold (e.g., 100%). A Margin Call is the event/notification triggered when that threshold is reached.

Broker Differences Across the Industry

How to Verify on Your Platform (MT4/MT5)

• Log in to your MT4 or MT5 account.
• Open Terminal (Ctrl+T) to view account status.
• Locate Margin Level — the real-time health ratio of Equity vs Used Margin.
• Check broker thresholds in account terms or Contract Specifications on the broker’s website (not displayed directly in Terminal).
• Review New Order window (F9) to see margin required for new trades.
• Sanity check: A Margin Level of 150% means you are 100 percentage points above the typical 50% Stop Out threshold.

For a comprehensive understanding of all trading terms, explore our forex glossary.