Leverage Calculator
Account leverage 1:100 is not real leverage — enter the margin and position to see what you actually use.
What it is
Account leverage is the ceiling your broker grants (say 1:100); real leverage = notional value ÷ margin used — the magnification you actually employ. The higher the real leverage, the harder the same price move hits your account: at 10x real leverage, a 1% adverse move swings the account by 10%. Many traders run 1:500 accounts while using only a few times of real leverage — that is perfectly fine; the danger is never the account ceiling, it is running real leverage too high.
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How much leverage does this position actually use?
Enter lots, price and the margin used — real leverage appears instantly, computed in your browser.
Contract sizes and quote currencies are typical defaults and editable. Most reliable: in MT5, right-click the symbol → Specification.
Real leverage
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Notional value (account currency)
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Margin used
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Enter the price, lots and margin used to see real leverage.
How to use it
- Pick a symbol: presets come with typical contract sizes and quote currencies, or choose "Custom";
- Enter the current price and lot size of the position;
- Enter the margin used: read it from the open position on your platform (the "used margin" field);
- Pick the account currency: when the quote currency differs, enter a current exchange rate as prompted;
- Read the result: the real leverage of this position.
The formula
Real leverage is how many times the margin magnifies the notional value.
The exchange rate is entered as "1 account currency = ? quote currency" (e.g. with a USD account and USDJPY, enter 153.62). Margin changes with floating P/L, so real leverage drifts — this reflects the moment of entry.
Worked example
A USD account, 1 lot of gold (100 oz/lot) at 2650.00 with 2,650 USD of margin used:
- Notional value = 1 × 100 × 2650.00 = 265,000 USD;
- Real leverage = 265,000 ÷ 2,650 = 100x (1:100);
- If the position used 5,300 USD → 265,000 ÷ 5,300 = 50x (1:50).
The same gold lot runs 100x real leverage with 2,650 USD posted, 50x with 5,300 USD — posting more margin is exactly how you dial leverage down.
FAQ
Q Account leverage vs real leverage?
Account leverage is the broker's ceiling (it sets the minimum margin to open); real leverage is notional ÷ margin used — what you actually employ. A 1:500 account running 5x real leverage is far safer than a 1:10 account fully loaded at 10x.
Q What real leverage is too high?
No universal line, but think in impact: at 10x real leverage, a 1% adverse move swings the account by 10%. Most prudent traders keep real leverage within 5–20x, depending on strategy and stop distance.
Q How do I reduce real leverage?
Two ways: reduce the lot size, or post more margin for the same position (some platforms allow a custom margin ratio). Both work — with notional unchanged, more margin means lower real leverage and more room for adverse moves.
Q How do I fill the exchange rate?
Notional value is computed in the quote currency first, then converted to your account currency. Enter the rate as "1 account currency = ? quote currency" — for a USD account trading USDJPY, enter the current USDJPY price (e.g. 153.62). The tool never fetches prices online.
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Download Camovia TrayResults are for reference only and do not constitute investment advice. Real leverage changes with floating P/L and margin rules — the trading platform prevails; preset contract sizes are typical defaults.