Margin Level

Margin level is calculated as (equity / used margin) × 100. A margin level of 1000% means your equity is 10x your used margin — plenty of buffer. A margin level of 200% means your equity is only 2x your used margin — you're at risk. A margin level below 100% means your equity is less than your used margin, which triggers a margin call. Most brokers set a stop-out level around 50%-100%. Once your margin level drops below that threshold, the broker starts auto-closing your positions to recover the margin. You don't get a warning — the closeout just happens. Margin level is the most important real-time risk metric. Pros keep it above 500% at all times. If yours drops below 300%, you're already in dangerous territory and need to either close positions or add funds.