Margin Level Calculator

Updated 31 October 2026 · Written by Broker Atlas Guides Desk · Data checked by Broker Atlas Data Desk

Short answer

Margin level = equity ÷ used margin × 100. With $1,000 equity and $150 used margin it's 666.7%, and equity can fall by $970 before a 20% stop-out. Below your broker's margin call level you get a warning; at the stop-out level positions start closing. MT4/MT5 show the live figure as "Margin Level" in the Trade tab.

How to use it

Equity (USD): balance plus or minus the floating profit or loss of open trades. MT4/MT5 show it in the Trade tab as “Equity”.
Used margin (USD): shown as “Margin” in the same tab: the total locked by open positions. To estimate it for a new trade, use the margin calculator.
Stop-out level (margin level %): your broker’s figure for your account type.

The formula

Margin level = equity ÷ used margin × 100

Buffer before stop-out = equity − used margin × stop-out % ÷ 100

The line under the result shows that buffer: how far equity can fall (through losses, swap or fees) before the stop-out level is reached, assuming used margin stays the same.

Worked examples

Example 1: a lightly used account. Equity $1,000, used margin $150, stop-out 20%. 1,000 ÷ 150 × 100 = 666.7%. Buffer = 1,000 − 150 × 20% = $970.

Example 2: an account under pressure. Equity $420, used margin $300, stop-out 50%. 420 ÷ 300 × 100 = 140%. Buffer = 420 − 300 × 50% = $270.

To turn the buffer into a price, divide by the value of one pip for your open positions: in Example 2, with 1 lot of EUR/USD open ($10 a pip), $270 is 27 pips. The stop-out level calculator does this for a single position.

What the result means

Margin level	What happens
Above margin call level	Normal trading
At or below margin call level	Warning; some brokers also restrict new trades
At or below stop-out level	Positions are closed, usually the largest loss first, until the level recovers

Brokers set both levels per account. Axi states margin call notices from 100% and stop-out at 20% on MT4/MT5 (Axi leverage); AXIORY states a 50% margin call and 20% stop-out, with lower levels on its Max and Zero accounts (AXIORY leverage). Read yours in the account-types page or client agreement.

What moves your margin level

Change	Effect on margin level
Open trades lose money	Equity falls, level falls
Negative swap or commission charged	Equity falls, level falls
You open another position	Used margin rises, level falls
You close part of a position	Used margin falls, level usually rises
You deposit	Equity rises, level rises
You withdraw	Equity falls, level falls

In Example 2, depositing $300 lifts the level from 140% to 240% (720 ÷ 300); closing half the position instead, if that position is at break-even, lifts it to 280% (420 ÷ 150).

Limits

Used margin moves. On EUR/USD and gold the margin of an open trade changes with price, and brokers that cut leverage as equity grows, or around news, can raise it suddenly. The buffer assumes it stays fixed.
Bonus credit. At brokers that count bonus credit in equity, removing the credit (for example after a withdrawal) lowers your margin level at once. See how forex bonuses work.
Gaps. A level computed at the close on Friday can be far below the stop-out level at Monday’s open.

The full explanation, with margin call and stop-out compared, is in margin level, margin call and stop out explained. For what happens if equity goes below zero, read negative balance protection explained.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good margin level?

There's no official safe number. The further above the stop-out level you are, the bigger the move you can absorb. The buffer in dollars under the result is the more useful figure.

Why does MT4/MT5 show no margin level?

Because you have no open positions. With zero used margin the ratio isn't defined.

Does depositing raise my margin level?

Yes. A deposit raises equity without changing used margin. Closing part of a position lowers used margin, which also raises it.

Is margin call the same as stop-out?

No. Margin call is a warning level; stop-out is where the broker closes positions. Brokers publish both, and some only use the stop-out.