See how much margin XM needs for your trade, and which leverage actually applies, by instrument and lot size.
Leverage & margin conditions
Use the leverage shown in your XM account.
- AmountUSD margin for your lot size. Buy uses the Ask, Sell the Bid.
- LeverageThe line under the amount shows the limit that applies to that row.
- ConditionsSet leverage and equity under Leverage & margin conditions.
- TimeLatest sample is when the data was saved. Your order window is final.
Margin from XM MT5 prices and contract sizes, with the leverage limits from XM’s trading screen, in US dollars.
Data sources and calculation methodology
Data sources and conversion to US dollars
Margin is the deposit your account holds for an open position, and it comes back when the position closes. We save prices, contract sizes and lot limits every 30 minutes from XM Standard and Ultra Low MT5 accounts.
Currency pairs: lots × contract size ÷ leverage, in the base currency. Gold, silver and other instruments: lots × contract size × price ÷ leverage. Both are converted to US dollars at the saved price for your direction.
XM limits applied on top of MT5
MT5 does not show XM’s limits per instrument, so the tool takes them from the instrument details in XM’s trading screen, read on 21 September 2026, and the equity steps from XM’s help centre.
It uses the lowest of your account leverage, the step for your equity and the instrument’s limit.
Where a limit steps down with the position value, the tool applies each step to the part of the position inside it. XM does not publish how a position across two steps is charged, so treat those figures as estimates. XM: margin and leverage (opens in a new tab)
Labels and timestamps
- Latest sample
- The time the prices were saved. All times are UTC. Older data appears when that time is more than an hour old while the market is open.
- Market closed
- The market for that instrument is closed, for example at the weekend, so the figure uses the last price before the close.
- Below the minimum lot / Above the maximum lot
- The figure is scaled in proportion to your lot size. Set a size within the lot range shown in the row before you place the order.
Checked on 21 September 2026 (UTC). This date is separate from the tool’s data update times.
Contents
- XM leverage goes up to 1:1000 and steps down as your equity grows
- Each instrument has its own limit, and the lower one applies
- Bitcoin, oil and ETFs step down as the position gets bigger
- Standard and Ultra Low share the same margin rules
- Margin for gold, EURUSD, US30 and Bitcoin by lot size
- How to change your leverage in the XM Members Area
- XM lowers leverage over the weekend
- Margin level, margin call at 50% and stop out at 20%
- Negative balance protection covers the rest
- How many lots can your balance carry?
- Three things to check before you place the order
- Rebates on your XM trades
- Frequently asked questions about XM leverage and margin
XM leverage goes up to 1:1000 and steps down as your equity grows
| Account equity (USD) | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|
| 5 to 40,000 | 1:1000 |
| 40,001 to 80,000 | 1:500 |
| 80,001 to 200,000 | 1:200 |
| Above 200,000 | 1:100 |
XM offers up to 1:1000 on Standard and Ultra Low accounts, and the maximum falls in three steps as your equity grows. At 1:1000, 0.1 lot of EURUSD needs $11.47 with USD 1,000 or 40,000, $22.93 with USD 50,000, $57.33 with USD 100,000 and $114.66 with USD 250,000.
Type your equity into Account equity (USD) and the tool applies the step to every row. XM help centre: what leverage do you offer? (opens in a new tab)
Each instrument has its own limit, and the lower one applies
| Instrument | XM limit |
|---|---|
| Gold, EURUSD, USDJPY | 1:1000 |
| US30, US100, GER40 | 1:500 |
| USDCHF, silver | 1:400 |
| Platinum | 1:200 |
| Oil | 1:200 |
| Palladium | 1:100 |
| Stocks | 1:5–1:20 |
XM sets a ceiling for each instrument, and the tool uses the lower of that ceiling and your account leverage. This is why USDCHF reads Leverage 1:400 while the account is set to 1:1000.
With the account at 1:400 or higher, 0.1 lot of USDCHF needs $25.00. Below 1:400 your own setting takes over: at 1:100, the same 0.1 lot needs $100.00.
Stocks keep a fixed limit
Fixed leverage, whatever your account setting
Apple, Microsoft, Amazon1:20
Tesla, Nvidia and most other stocks1:10
Some stocks1:5 or 1:6.67
These rows keep the same limit as your equity grows, and a lower account leverage takes over when you choose one. Search the stock by name in the tool to see its limit and the margin for your lot size.
Bitcoin, oil and ETFs step down as the position gets bigger
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)
Up to $100,0001:1000
Up to $1.5 million1:500
Up to $3 million1:100
Up to $5 million1:50
Above $5 million1:1
Oil (OILCash)
Up to $1 million1:200
Up to $2 million1:100
Above $2 million1:50
Gold and S&P 500 ETFs (GLD, SPY)
Up to $5,0001:200
Up to $20,0001:100
Up to $100,0001:50
Above $100,0001:25
For 133 instruments, mostly crypto and ETFs, XM lowers the limit as the position value grows. The amounts are the value of the position in US dollars, not your equity. One lot of Bitcoin is worth about $86,071, so it stays at 1:1000 and needs $86.07.
At 2 lots, about $172,141, the tool applies 1:1000 to the first $100,000 and 1:500 to the rest, for $244.28. The row shows where the next step starts, for example steps down over $100,000, so you can see whether a larger order crosses it.
For a position across two steps, take the tool’s figure as an estimate and confirm the combined margin in the XM order window.
Standard and Ultra Low share the same margin rules
Same on both accounts
- Maximum 1:1000 and the equity steps
- Limits per instrument
- Margin call 50%, stop out 20%
Different by account
- Spread
- Swap
- Symbol names: Ultra Low adds # (GOLD#)
On 21 September 2026, 0.1 lot of gold needed $43.44 on Standard and $43.39 on Ultra Low, a gap that comes only from the two accounts’ prices. So choose the account for its trading costs, in the XM spread table and the XM swap rates, and read the margin here on either button.
Micro accounts use one hundredth of the standard contract, 1,000 units of a currency pair or 1 ounce of gold, so their margin is one hundredth of the figures here for the same lot size. The XM account types page compares the accounts.
Margin for gold, EURUSD, US30 and Bitcoin by lot size
Standard account, 1:1000, Buy, USD 1,000 of equity, saved on 21 September 2026 at 19:03 UTC. The margin scales with the lot size and moves with the price, and the leverage shown is the limit that applies. Use the calculator above for today’s figures.
| Instrument | 0.1 lot | 1 lot |
|---|---|---|
| GOLD1:1000 | $43.44 | $434.40 |
| EURUSD1:1000 | $11.47 | $114.66 |
| GBPUSD1:1000 | $13.37 | $133.70 |
| USDJPY1:1000 | $10.00 | $100.00 |
| USDCHFLimit 1:400 | $25.00 | $250.00 |
| SILVERLimit 1:400 | $82.53 | $825.26 |
| US30Limit 1:500 | $10.42 | $104.22 |
| US100Limit 1:500 | $6.10 | $60.97 |
| OILLimit 1:200 | $4.83 | $48.29 |
| BTCUSD1:1000 | $8.61 | $86.07 |
How to change your leverage in the XM Members Area
- Log in to the XM Members Area and select the account at the top.
- Click Manage on the account card.
- Open Change Leverage and choose the new value.
- Confirm. The new leverage applies straight away.
The list runs from 1:1000 down to 1:1 in 17 settings: 1:1000, 888, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 66, 50, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 3, 2 and 1. The calculator offers the same list. XM help centre: can I change my leverage? (opens in a new tab)
Your setting works as a ceiling. The step for your equity, the instrument’s limit and the position-value steps apply beneath it, and XM uses the lowest of them. The calculator shows the result on each row.
XM lowers leverage over the weekend
- WhenFrom Friday evening, about 20:00 UTC for currency pairs, until the markets reopen on Sunday.
- Currency pairs and gold1:250.
- Oil1:50.
- UnchangedStocks, ETFs and crypto.
We read these limits in XM’s trading screen on Saturday 19 September 2026, when 91 instruments, from currency pairs to indices, oil and precious metals, showed a lower weekend limit. On Monday all of them were back to their usual limits.
XM’s terms allow it to raise margin before the Friday close, before major releases such as US non-farm payrolls, and when markets are expected to be volatile, and they note that this can affect open positions too. XM: client agreement (opens in a new tab)
If you hold positions over the weekend, keep extra free margin: a position opened at 1:1000 needs four times as much at 1:250. At the weekend the tool shows Market closed on these rows.
Margin level, margin call at 50% and stop out at 20%
Margin level = equity ÷ margin in use × 100
- Margin call, 50%
- XM alerts you and pauses new positions; adding funds or reducing what you hold raises the level again
- Stop out, 20%
- XM closes positions, starting with the largest loss
With USD 100 of equity and 0.1 lot of gold open, the margin in use is $43.44 and the margin level is 230%. If losses bring equity down to $21.72, the level reaches 50%; at $8.69 it reaches 20% and the position is closed.
Add funds or reduce size before the level approaches 50%. Watch it in the Margin Level line of your account in the Members Area or on your platform.
Negative balance protection covers the rest
What XM covers
- A sharp move takes your balance below zero
- XM covers the amount below zero
- It applies per account, on Standard, Ultra Low and Shares
The stop out closes positions at 20%, but in a fast market prices can jump past that level. Negative balance protection then limits your loss to the money in that account: XM covers any amount below zero.
The protection applies to normal trading; XM can withhold it for abusive trading, such as arbitrage or hedging across accounts with other people. XM help centre: can I lose more than I deposit? (opens in a new tab)
How many lots can your balance carry?
This calculator shows the margin for a lot size you choose. For the reverse, the largest position your balance can open at your leverage, use the Max Lot & Zero-Cut Calculator. It also shows how far the price can move before your balance reaches zero.
The max lot tool uses one leverage for the whole position. Bring its lot size back here to check XM’s limit for your equity, the instrument’s limit and the position-value steps before you trade.
Three things to check before you place the order
The order window on your platform gives the final figure. When it differs from the tool, one of these is usually the reason.
- The time. The tool uses the saved price under Latest sample. Prices move, and margin moves with them.
- Your leverage and equity. Set the leverage shown in your Members Area and enter your current equity, so the step applies.
- The day and the size. At the weekend some limits are lower, and on crypto, oil and ETFs a larger position can move into a lower step.
The tool shows US dollars. Accounts in other currencies, such as EUR or THB, show the margin in their own currency, and XM publishes the equity steps in US dollars. With those checked, plan around the number in the order window.
Rebates on your XM trades
FFC Auto Rebate returns part of the trading cost on eligible XM trades, credited separately from the margin. The XM rebate guide sets out which accounts and instruments qualify, and how to get started.
To receive the rebate, open your XM account with the button below. XM links the account to the last referral link you used before signing up. If you already hold an XM account, the rebate guide sets out the route that applies.
Frequently asked questions about XM leverage and margin
- Do hedged positions need margin on XM?
-
On currency pairs, gold and silver, the hedged part needs no margin. On other instruments, XM charges 50% of the margin for the hedged part. Hedging works only within one account. XM help centre: do you allow hedging? (opens in a new tab)
- Can I withdraw while I have open positions?
-
Yes. XM accepts the request while your margin level stays above 150% on weekdays and 400% at the weekend after the withdrawal, so check the level before you ask. XM help centre: withdrawing with open positions (opens in a new tab)
- Is the maximum leverage the same in every country?
-
Leverage and account types can vary by region and by the XM entity that holds your account. This article covers XM Global, regulated in Belize (FSC). Your Members Area shows the terms for your account. XM: regulation (opens in a new tab)
You have now seen what each position sets aside in margin. Alongside FFC Auto Rebate, the member area carries daily login rewards and USDT quests, with the terms for each set out there. To use these services, register as a Forex FanClub member using the button below.
Produced and operated by Forex FanClub
Person responsible: Hiroki Sakaida, founder of Forex FanClub
Hiroki Sakaida decides what our content and services cover and which features they offer. He also checks content and functionality and decides on revisions and publication. Our Content and Service Policy explains how we produce and check our content and services, including our use of AI.
Risk warning: Forex and CFD trading involve leverage, and you could lose all the money you invest. This article and tool provide information, not investment advice. The amounts shown are calculated from the collected data and do not guarantee the amounts that will apply to your own trades, or any future profit.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains XM referral links. Forex FanClub receives referral commission based on registrations and trading through these links.
- XM leverage goes up to 1:1000 and steps down as your equity grows
- Each instrument has its own limit, and the lower one applies
- Stocks keep a fixed limit
- Bitcoin, oil and ETFs step down as the position gets bigger
- Standard and Ultra Low share the same margin rules
- Margin for gold, EURUSD, US30 and Bitcoin by lot size
- How to change your leverage in the XM Members Area
- XM lowers leverage over the weekend
- Margin level, margin call at 50% and stop out at 20%
- Negative balance protection covers the rest
- How many lots can your balance carry?
- Three things to check before you place the order
- Rebates on your XM trades
- Frequently asked questions about XM leverage and margin