Margin Calculator
Calculate the margin required for equity, futures, options, currency and commodity positions with the ATS Margin Calculator. See indicative SPAN + exposure margin per lot before you trade on NSE, BSE & MCX.
Pick a stock and enter lot size and number of lots to estimate the margin required.
Key takeaways
- Total margin = SPAN margin + exposure margin; the calculator estimates both as a percentage of contract value.
- Futures need roughly 16% of contract value at ATS’s indicative rates (≈12.5% SPAN + 3.5% exposure).
- Equity intraday (MIS) needs about 20% (≈5x leverage); equity delivery (CNC) needs the full 100% of trade value.
- Buying options costs only the premium; selling/writing options needs SPAN + exposure margin like futures.
About the Margin Calculator
Margin is the upfront money the exchange requires you to deposit to open and hold a leveraged position. The ATS Margin Calculator estimates that requirement across equity intraday, equity delivery, futures and options so you can size a trade to your available capital before placing the order.
For futures and short (written) options the total margin is made up of two parts: SPAN margin — the exchange’s core risk-based requirement, derived from a portfolio risk model — and exposure margin, an additional buffer charged on top of SPAN. Buying an option is different: you simply pay the full premium, with no SPAN margin.
The figures here are transparent indicative estimates expressed as a percentage of contract value. Real SPAN and exposure margins are published by the exchange and change every day with volatility, so always confirm the exact requirement on your trading platform before you trade.
| Segment | SPAN | Exposure | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Intraday (MIS) | ~20% | — | ~20% (≈5x leverage) |
| Equity Delivery (CNC) | Full value | — | 100% of trade value |
| Futures | ~12.5% | ~3.5% | ~16% of contract value |
| Options — Buy | Full premium | — | Premium paid |
| Options — Sell / Write | ~12.5% | ~3.5% | ~16% of contract value |
Worked example (futures)
- Wipro futures, lot size 3,000 units, price ₹300 → contract value = 3,000 × ₹300 = ₹9,00,000.
- SPAN margin ≈ 12.5% = ₹1,12,500; exposure margin ≈ 3.5% = ₹31,500.
- Total indicative margin ≈ ₹1,44,000 — about 16% of the contract value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a margin calculator?
A margin calculator estimates the upfront money you must deposit to open and hold a leveraged position in futures or options across equity, currency and commodity segments. It helps you size trades to your available capital before you place an order.
What is the difference between SPAN and exposure margin?
SPAN margin is the exchange’s core risk-based requirement, calculated from a portfolio risk model. Exposure margin is an additional buffer charged on top of SPAN to cover extra risk. Your total margin is SPAN plus exposure.
How much margin is needed for one futures lot?
Indicatively about 16% of the contract value at ATS — roughly 12.5% SPAN plus 3.5% exposure. For a ₹9,00,000 contract that is around ₹1,44,000. The actual SPAN is set by the exchange and changes daily.
Is the margin different for buying versus selling options?
Yes. Buying an option costs only the premium you pay. Selling or writing an option carries much larger risk, so it requires SPAN plus exposure margin similar to a futures position.
Does intraday need less margin than delivery?
Yes. Equity intraday (MIS) needs roughly 20% of trade value (about 5x leverage), while equity delivery (CNC) requires the full 100% because you take delivery of the shares into your demat account.
Are these margin figures exact?
No — they are transparent indicative estimates as a percentage of contract value. Real SPAN and exposure margins are published daily by the exchange and depend on volatility; always confirm the exact requirement on your trading platform before trading.