What is margin?
In derivatives trading, margin supports contractual exposure. It should not be thought of simply as a down payment on ownership of the underlying asset.
Initial margin
Initial margin is the amount required to establish a position under the venue's rules. Higher leverage generally corresponds to a smaller initial-margin requirement relative to notional exposure.
Maintenance margin
Maintenance margin is the minimum margin or equity requirement needed to keep a position open. If the relevant equity falls below required levels, liquidation procedures can begin.
Margin balance and unrealized P&L
Unrealized losses reduce the equity available to support a position. Depending on the margin mode, other balances may or may not be available to absorb those losses.
Exchange rules matter
Exact formulas, tiers, maintenance rates and treatment of fees vary by venue and contract.
Do not calculate liquidation or required margin using a generic formula when real capital is at risk. Use the current rules and calculator for the specific venue and contract.
Initial margin and maintenance margin serve different roles
Initial margin relates to the collateral requirement for establishing leveraged exposure under the venue's rules. Maintenance margin relates to the minimum margin condition that must continue to be satisfied while the position remains open.
If losses reduce available margin sufficiently, the venue's risk system can begin liquidation procedures. Exact thresholds and calculations depend on the exchange and contract.
Margin is not the same as position size
Position size describes market exposure, while margin describes collateral supporting that exposure. A leveraged position can therefore have a notional value substantially larger than the margin allocated to it.
Confusing these concepts can cause a trader to underestimate the amount of market exposure actually being carried.
Simple exposure example
A $1,000 position supported by $200 of allocated collateral represents 5× exposure relative to that collateral before fees, funding and exchange-specific margin requirements.
What can affect the margin buffer?
Entry price, unrealized profit or loss, maintenance requirements, fees and funding can affect the distance between a position and liquidation. In cross-margin systems, other eligible balances or positions may also affect available support.
For this reason, a displayed liquidation price should be understood using the specific venue's current methodology rather than treated as a universal formula.
Key takeaways
- Margin supports leveraged exposure; it is not simply ownership of the underlying asset.
- Initial margin relates to opening a position.
- Maintenance margin relates to keeping the position open.
- Exact requirements and formulas are venue- and contract-specific.
Sources & further reading
This lesson is educational material. Market structure, exchange rules, fees, margin requirements and derivatives mechanics can differ by venue and can change over time. Verify current rules with the venue you use.