Gold Margin Calculator
See how much margin an XAUUSD trade needs at any leverage, and the real dollar risk behind it.
- Position value
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- Value of a $1 move
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- Free margin left
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- Real risk at your stop
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- Move that would erase the account
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Gold margin table (100 oz per lot, gold at $4,180)
| Lots | Position value | 1:20 | 1:50 | 1:100 | 1:200 | 1:500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01 | $4,180 | $209.00 | $83.60 | $41.80 | $20.90 | $8.36 |
| 0.05 | $20,900 | $1,045.00 | $418.00 | $209.00 | $104.50 | $41.80 |
| 0.10 | $41,800 | $2,090.00 | $836.00 | $418.00 | $209.00 | $83.60 |
| 0.50 | $209,000 | $10,450.00 | $4,180.00 | $2,090.00 | $1,045.00 | $418.00 |
| 1.00 | $418,000 | $20,900.00 | $8,360.00 | $4,180.00 | $2,090.00 | $836.00 |
How gold margin works
Margin is a good-faith deposit. When you open a gold position, your broker sets aside part of your balance to cover it. Leverage is simply the ratio between the position value and that deposit.
- Position value = lots × ounces per lot × price. 0.10 lot × 100 oz × $4,180 = $41,800.
- Required margin = position value ÷ leverage. At 1:100: $41,800 ÷ 100 = $418.00.
- Margin % = 100 ÷ leverage. 1:100 = 1%, 1:20 = 5%, 1:500 = 0.2%.
Margin is not risk
This is the most common beginner mistake on gold. A trader sees "margin: $40" and thinks the trade risks $40. It does not. With 0.10 lot (10 oz), every $1 move in gold is $10. Gold can move $20 to $100 in a normal day, so the same trade can swing $200 to $1,000. Check today's typical range on the gold volatility page.
That is why professionals size positions from risk at the stop, not from available margin. Use the position size calculator to set the size, then check here that the margin fits comfortably.
Leverage limits around the world
Leverage for retail traders is set by regulators, and it differs a lot by country. A few examples, written generally because rules change:
- UK, EU and Australia: retail gold CFDs are commonly capped at 1:20.
- United States: retail traders generally cannot trade spot gold CFDs; gold is traded through futures, ETFs or other regulated products.
- Other regions: limits vary. Some offshore brokers offer very high leverage with fewer protections.
Read our country guides for detail, for example the UK, the USA and India, and always confirm with your regulator.
Frequently asked questions
How much margin do I need for 0.01 lot of gold?
0.01 lot is usually 1 ounce. At a gold price of about $4,180, the position is worth about $4,180. Margin = position value ÷ leverage, so about $41.80 at 1:100, $209.00 at 1:20 and $8.36 at 1:500. Your broker’s exact contract size and margin rate decide the real number.
What is the margin formula for XAUUSD?
Required margin = lots × ounces per lot × gold price ÷ leverage. Some brokers express it as a margin percentage instead: 1:100 leverage is 1% margin, 1:20 is 5%.
Is margin the same as risk?
No. Margin is the deposit your broker locks while the trade is open. Risk is how much you lose if price reaches your stop. A small margin can hide a large risk, because every $1 gold moves changes the position by its full ounce size.
What leverage is allowed for gold?
It depends on where you live and who regulates your broker. For example, retail gold CFDs are commonly limited to 1:20 in the UK, the EU and Australia, and US retail traders generally cannot trade spot gold CFDs at all. Rules change, so check your regulator and broker.
What happens if my margin level gets too low?
Brokers set a margin call level and a stop-out level. If your equity falls far enough, the broker can close positions automatically, often at a bad price in a fast market. Check your broker’s levels before trading.
Does higher leverage mean more profit?
Leverage only changes how much deposit is locked. Profit and loss depend on the position size. High leverage makes it easier to open a position that is far too big for the account, which is why it is risky.
Educational tool only. Not financial advice and not a signal. Check your own broker's contract specification, margin rules and costs. Past data does not predict future prices. See our risk disclaimer.