Equity Margin Calculator
Key takeaway: Enter your trade details below to instantly calculate the SPAN margin, exposure margin, total margin required, and leverage ratio for equity, futures, and options trades on NSE, BSE, and MCX — free, no signup needed.
Bottom line: Equity margin is the collateral deposit required by your broker to open a leveraged trade. For NSE futures, typical total margin (SPAN + Exposure) is 10–18% of contract value, giving you 5–10× leverage. Options buyers pay only the premium (no margin), while options sellers need margin similar to futures. Use this calculator to find the exact amount before placing your order.
Calculate Margin Requirements
Contract & Margin Details
Margin Breakdown
Leverage Analysis
What Is an Equity Margin Calculator?
Short answer: An equity margin calculator is a tool that computes how much money (margin) you need in your trading account to open a leveraged position in stocks, futures, or options. It breaks down the total into SPAN margin (exchange-mandated risk deposit) and exposure margin (additional safety buffer).
When you trade with margin, you're essentially using borrowed funds from your broker — the margin is the collateral you must provide. This calculator computes SPAN margin, exposure margin, and total margin for equity, futures, and options trades on Indian exchanges (NSE, BSE, MCX).
Margin requirements are not fixed — they change daily based on exchange risk assessment, market volatility, and SEBI regulations. Our calculator uses standard margin percentages to give reliable estimates, but actual broker requirements may differ based on their risk policies and real-time SPAN files.
Last updated: August 2026 | Data source: Standard NSE/BSE margin norms per SEBI circular | Disclaimer: Estimates only. Actual broker margins change with volatility.
What Is the Difference Between SPAN and Exposure Margin?
Direct answer: SPAN margin is the primary risk-based deposit (5–20% of contract value) calculated by the exchange using 16 worst-case market scenarios. Exposure margin is an additional flat buffer (2–5%) that covers extreme tail risks not captured by SPAN. Together they form your total margin requirement: Total Margin = SPAN Margin + Exposure Margin.
| Aspect | SPAN Margin | Exposure Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Standard Portfolio Analysis of Risk | Additional risk buffer |
| Purpose | Covers worst-case one-day loss | Covers extreme events beyond SPAN |
| Calculated by | Exchange clearing corporation | Exchange (fixed % or formula) |
| How it works | Simulates 16 market scenarios | Flat percentage of contract value |
| Typical range | 5–20% of contract value | 2–5% of contract value |
| Update frequency | 5–6 times daily | Less frequently |
| Refundable? | Yes, when position closed | Yes, when position closed |
What Is the Difference Between Initial and Maintenance Margin?
Direct answer: Initial margin is the full amount (SPAN + Exposure) you must have to open a position — if insufficient, the order is rejected. Maintenance margin is the minimum balance (~75–80% of initial) you must keep while the position is open — falling below it triggers a margin call and potential forced liquidation.
| Aspect | Initial Margin | Maintenance Margin |
|---|---|---|
| When required | To open a new position | To keep position open |
| Amount | Full SPAN + Exposure | ~75–80% of initial margin |
| If insufficient | Order rejected | Margin call issued |
| Consequence | Cannot trade | Broker may auto-square-off |
How Does Intraday Margin Differ From Delivery Margin?
Direct answer: Intraday (MIS) requires only 20% margin (5× leverage) but positions must be squared off before market close. Delivery (CNC) requires 100% capital with no leverage but lets you hold indefinitely. For F&O, intraday margins are 50–100% of the normal overnight margin.
| Feature | Intraday (MIS) | Delivery (CNC) |
|---|---|---|
| Holding period | Must close same day | Hold indefinitely |
| Equity margin | 20% (5× leverage) | 100% (no leverage) |
| F&O margin | 50–100% of NRML | Full SPAN + Exposure |
| Risk level | Higher (forced square-off) | Lower (no time pressure) |
| Auto square-off | Yes, ~3:15 PM | No |
| Best for | Scalpers, day traders | Investors, swing traders |
SEBI Rule (Sep 2021): Brokers can no longer provide excessive intraday leverage. Peak margin reporting ensures at least 50% margin collected upfront for intraday trades.
Worked Examples
| Trade | Stock/Index | Qty | Price | Contract Value | Margin % | Margin Required | Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Reliance | 100 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,50,000 | 100% | ₹2,50,000 | 1× |
| Equity Intraday | Reliance | 100 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,50,000 | 20% | ₹50,000 | 5× |
| Nifty Futures | NIFTY (lot=25) | 25 | ₹24,000 | ₹6,00,000 | 12% | ₹72,000 | 8.3× |
| Bank Nifty Futures | BANKNIFTY (lot=15) | 15 | ₹52,000 | ₹7,80,000 | 15% | ₹1,17,000 | 6.7× |
| Options Buy (CE) | Nifty 24000 CE | 25 | ₹250 | ₹6,250 | 100% | ₹6,250 | 1× |
| Options Sell (PE) | Nifty 23500 PE | 25 | ₹150 | ₹6,00,000* | ~15% | ₹90,000 | ~6.7× |
| MCX Gold | Gold (lot=100g) | 1 | ₹72,000/10g | ₹7,20,000 | 5% | ₹36,000 | 20× |
| MCX Crude | Crude (lot=100bbl) | 1 | ₹6,500/bbl | ₹6,50,000 | 8% | ₹52,000 | 12.5× |
* For options selling, margin is on underlying contract value, not premium received.
What Are the Risks of Margin Trading?
Direct answer: The primary risk is amplified losses — leverage magnifies both gains and losses equally. A 5× leveraged position loses 10% of your capital on just a 2% adverse move. Additional risks include margin calls, forced liquidation at unfavorable prices, overnight gap risk, and margin spikes during volatile events.
- Amplified losses: 5× leverage means a 2% adverse move = 10% loss on capital
- Margin calls: Sudden volatility triggers immediate fund deposit requirements
- Forced liquidation: Broker squares off at market price if margin isn't maintained
- Gap risk: Overnight gaps can cause losses exceeding your margin
- Over-leveraging: Using maximum leverage without stop-loss is the #1 mistake
- Ignoring margin changes: Margins can spike 2–3× during high volatility events
SEBI Margin Regulations (2021–2025)
- Peak Margin Reporting (Sep 2021): Minimum margin must be collected at all times. Snapshots taken 4× daily. Shortfall attracts 0.5% penalty.
- Upfront Margin: Full SPAN + Exposure collected before F&O order execution.
- Pledge Mechanism: Stocks as collateral must be pledged, not transferred.
- Intraday Cap: Max equity intraday leverage is 5× (20% margin).
- Penalty: 0.5% per day on shortfall (1% if repeated). Clients bear the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SPAN margin?
SPAN (Standard Portfolio Analysis of Risk) simulates 16 market scenarios to determine the maximum one-day portfolio loss. The resulting margin ensures the exchange can cover losses if a trader defaults.
What is exposure margin?
Exposure margin is an additional 2–5% buffer charged beyond SPAN to cover extreme tail-risk events not captured by standard scenarios. Total margin = SPAN + Exposure.
How often do margin requirements change?
SPAN margins update 5–6 times daily based on real-time market movement. Exposure margins change less frequently. High-volatility events (budget, elections) can spike margins 2–3×.
What happens if I don't maintain adequate margins?
Your broker issues a margin call. If not met within hours, positions are auto-squared-off at market price. SEBI penalty of 0.5% per day applies on the shortfall amount.
Why does selling options require more margin?
Option buyers risk only the premium paid (limited loss). Option sellers face theoretically unlimited risk, so they must deposit margin based on the underlying contract value — similar to futures traders.
Can brokers charge different margins than the exchange?
Yes — brokers can charge higher margins (10–20% buffer above exchange minimum) but never lower. Discount brokers typically charge exchange minimums.
Is intraday margin different from delivery?
Yes. Equity delivery requires 100% payment. Intraday (MIS) needs only 20% margin (5× leverage) but positions must close before 3:15 PM. F&O intraday may get reduced margin vs overnight.
How does leverage work in margin trading?
Leverage means controlling a larger position with less capital. With 5× leverage and ₹1 lakh, you control ₹5 lakh of securities. Both gains and losses are amplified proportionally.
Can I use stocks as collateral for margin?
Yes, via the pledge mechanism. Approved stocks get a haircut (10–50% based on liquidity). ₹1 lakh of Reliance shares with 12.5% haircut provides ₹87,500 collateral value.
What are SEBI peak margin rules?
Since Sep 2021, brokers must collect minimum margin throughout the day (not just end-of-day). 4 daily snapshots are taken. Shortfall attracts 0.5% daily penalty on the client.