Use the calculator above to determine the margin required to open a CFD (Contract for Difference) position on stocks, indices, commodities, or other instruments.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the contract size — the number of units (shares, contracts) you want to trade
- Enter the market price — the current price of the instrument
- Select your leverage — the leverage ratio your broker offers for this instrument
- Calculate — the result shows the margin required to open the position
The CFD Margin Formula
CFD Margin = (Contract Size × Market Price) / Leverage
Worked Example
You want to trade 100 shares of Apple at $185 per share with 1:20 leverage:
(100 × $185) / 20 = $925 margin required
Without leverage, you would need $18,500 to control the same position.
How CFD Margin Differs from Forex Margin
While the formula is similar, CFD margin requirements differ in several ways:
| Factor | Forex | CFDs (Stocks/Indices) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical leverage | 1:30 – 1:500 | 1:5 – 1:20 |
| Margin rate | 3.3% (at 1:30) | 5% – 20% |
| Volatility impact | Lower (major pairs) | Higher (individual stocks) |
| Overnight costs | Swap rates | Financing charges |
Regulators generally require higher margin (lower leverage) for CFDs on individual stocks compared to forex, because individual stock prices are more volatile.
Leverage Limits for CFDs by Regulator
EU-regulated brokers (FCA, CySEC, BaFin, ASIC) follow these ESMA limits for retail clients:
| Instrument | Max Leverage | Margin Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Major forex pairs | 1:30 | 3.33% |
| Minor forex / Gold | 1:20 | 5% |
| Major indices | 1:20 | 5% |
| Minor indices / Commodities | 1:10 | 10% |
| Individual shares | 1:5 | 20% |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 | 50% |
Professional clients may access higher leverage after meeting eligibility criteria. See our regulation guides for details on how each regulator classifies retail vs professional traders.
Margin Call and Stop-Out on CFDs
CFD positions carry the risk of margin calls:
- Margin call — when your account equity drops below the maintenance margin level (varies by broker, typically 50-100% margin level)
- Stop-out — when the broker automatically closes your positions to prevent the account going negative
To reduce margin call risk, avoid using all your available margin on a single position. A common rule is to risk no more than 2% of your account on any single trade.
Related Tools
- Forex Margin Calculator — margin calculations specifically for forex currency pairs
- Forex Leverage Calculator — determine the leverage needed for any position
- Forex Profit Calculator — estimate profit or loss before entering a trade
- Forex Swap Calculator — calculate overnight financing costs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CFD margin?
CFD margin is the deposit your broker requires to open a leveraged Contract for Difference position. It is a percentage of the full trade value. For example, at 1:10 leverage (10% margin), a $10,000 position requires $1,000 in margin.
How is CFD margin different from buying shares outright?
When you buy shares outright, you pay the full price. With CFDs, you only deposit a fraction (the margin) and your broker finances the rest. This lets you control larger positions with less capital, but losses can exceed your initial deposit if the position moves against you.
Can I trade CFDs on stocks with a forex broker?
Most regulated forex brokers also offer CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, and sometimes cryptocurrencies. Margin requirements and available instruments vary by broker. Check your broker's contract specifications for the exact margin rates and available instruments.
What happens if my CFD margin runs out?
Your broker will issue a margin call asking you to deposit more funds or close positions. If you do not act, the broker will automatically close positions (stop-out) starting with the largest losing position. The stop-out level varies — most regulated brokers set it between 20% and 50% margin level.