Futures Margin
Calculator
Find the margin to carry one NSE futures contract from price, lot size and your broker's margin % — with the full contract value in rupees.
Contract inputs
The margin % is set by the exchange & your broker and changes daily — enter the figure your broker quotes for this contract. Nothing here is hardcoded.
Margin required
How it's calculated
A futures contract controls a fixed quantity of the underlying — the lot size. The full exposure is the contract value, but you only post a fraction of it as margin:
- Contract value = futures price × lot size.
- Margin (per lot) = contract value × margin % ÷ 100 = price × lot size × % ÷ 100.
- Margin payable = margin per lot × number of lots.
Example: a NIFTY future at ₹24,000 with a lot size of 75 has a contract value of ₹18,00,000. At a 12% margin that is ₹2,16,000 per lot. The margin percentage (SPAN + Exposure) is decided by the exchange and your broker and moves daily with volatility, so you supply it — this tool never assumes a fixed rate.
FAQ
How is futures margin calculated?
Margin = futures price × lot size × margin % ÷ 100. The margin percentage is set by the exchange (SPAN + Exposure) and your broker, which is why you enter it rather than it being fixed in the tool.
What is the contract value of a futures position?
Contract value = futures price × lot size. The margin is only a fraction of that value, which is what gives futures their leverage.
Why does my broker show a slightly different margin?
Exchange margin changes daily with volatility and brokers often add a buffer. Enter the exact percentage your broker quotes for that contract to match their figure to the rupee.
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