Futures margin is the capital that must be available in your FYERS account to open and hold a futures position.
Margins are not fixed. They change with exchange risk models, volatility, liquidity, and regulatory rules.
You can always check the live requirement before placing an order.
What Makes Up the Margin?
- Risk or SPAN margin: Core risk-based requirement computed by the exchange risk engine for the specific contract. It reflects expected adverse price moves.
- Exposure or ELM margin: An additional buffer collected over and above the risk margin to cover event and liquidity risk.
- Peak margin collection: Under peak margin regulations, the required margin must be available during intraday as well as at day end.
- Additional or RMS margin: May be applied temporarily in high volatility or around special events according to exchange or risk team directives.
Why Margin Changes Over Time?
- Volatility: Bigger price swings raise modelled risk which increases required margin.
- Market conditions: Events like earnings, macro data, or global news can prompt higher buffers.
- Contract specifics: Price level and lot size determine the contract value and influence absolute margin blocked.
- Exchange updates: Periodic changes to models or circulars adjust margins across instruments.
Do Hedges Reduce Margin?
Yes, hedged combinations such as futures plus options, or opposite month or calendar spreads, can receive offsetting benefits as per the exchange risk framework. The actual benefit depends on the exact legs, quantities,
and expiries. Always verify on the margin calculator before placing the order.
How to View or Verify Your Margin?
- Before placing a trade: Use the FYERS Margin Calculator to see the latest requirement for a specific contract and quantity.
- After placing a trade: Check Funds section for required margin, available funds, and utilisation, and check Positions section for live MTM impact.
- When adjusting a position: Recalculate on the margin calculator if you change quantity or add hedges so you know the updated requirement.
Steps to Check the Margin for a Futures Contract
- Open the FYERS Margin Calculator.
- Select the futures segment and pick the contract.
- Enter the quantity.
- Review the required margin shown and ensure sufficient funds or eligible collateral.
What If...
| Scenario | Solution |
|---|
| Margin requirement increased suddenly | Check the margin calculator for the updated figure and add funds or reduce size so utilisation stays within limits. |
| Trading multiple contracts with varying margins | Verify each contract individually on the calculator and track combined utilisation in Funds. |
| Not sure how much margin is blocked | Open the calculator for that exact contract and quantity, then validate in Funds after order placement. |
| Margin looks unusually high | The lot size or volatility may be elevated, so confirm on the calculator and consider hedging or reducing quantity. |
Last updated: 31 Oct 2025