MidasMargin & lot calculator for gold
11 orders, $3.50 step: at $3,675 — no blow-up since January 2025
We ran this grid on real gold ticks from many different start days since January 2025 and took the worst start.
The hardest period for the grid
the slow gold decline of 26–28 May 2026: about −$195 in three days with no pullback. To survive it too, you need exactly this $3,675. The crash of 29 Jan–2 Feb 2026 (up to $771 of range in a day) this grid survives from $1,554.
In the model, on real gold ticks since January 2025; not a guarantee. Midas default settings, 0.01 lot, no top-ups. Not the income of a live account. Methodology
How it is calculated
A cent account counts money in US cents, so 1.00 lot of XAUUSD (a contract of C = 100 troy ounces) moves $1 for each $1 of gold price. All results are shown in dollars.
margin = lots × C × price ÷ leverage ÷ 100Margin of the position in dollars (÷ 100 because a cent account counts cents).V = lots × C ÷ 100; V0.10 = V × 0.10; V0.01 = V × 0.01Dollars per $1 move of gold price, and per $0.10 and $0.01.ML = balance ÷ margin × 100%; max lot = ⌊balance ÷ margin of 1 lot⌋Margin level, and the lot at which the whole balance becomes margin (rounded down to 0.01).room = (balance − SO × margin) ÷ VHow far price can move against this one position before equity falls to the stop-out share SO of the margin.lot = ⌊risk ÷ (stop × C ÷ 100)⌋Position size from risk, rounded down to 0.01.
Example: 1.00 lot, gold 4 000, leverage 1:2000, balance $1 000, stop-out 40%, risk $20 with a $5 stop.
| Margin | 1.00 × 100 × 4000 ÷ 2000 ÷ 100 = $2.00 |
| Value of a $1 move | 1.00 × 100 ÷ 100 = $1.00 |
| Max lot at margin level 100% | 1000 ÷ 2 = 500 |
| Room to stop-out (this position only) | (1000 − 0.4 × 2) ÷ 1 = $999.20 |
| Lot for $20 risk at a $5 stop | 20 ÷ (5 × 100 ÷ 100) = 4.00 |
Margin is taken at the entered price; some brokers change leverage with account size, at weekends or around news.
Margin, leverage and the value of a move
Margin is the part of the balance the broker sets aside while a position is open. For gold it is lots × contract size × price ÷ leverage — on a cent account also ÷ 100, so at 1:2000 a 1.00-lot position at $4 000 needs $2. Higher leverage lowers the margin, not the value of a move: 1.00 lot still gains or loses $1 for each $1 of gold price.
The value of a move is what matters for risk: use it to size positions from a stop distance, and the margin level to see how close an account is to stop-out. For a whole grid of orders use the how-much-will-your-deposit-survive calculator.
Formulas and worked example
On a cent account the margin for gold is lots × 100 × price ÷ leverage ÷ 100: at gold $4,170, 1.00 lot needs $41.70 at 1:100, $8.34 at 1:500 and $2.085 at 1:2000. Leverage changes the margin, not the risk: 1.00 lot still gains or loses $1 for each $1 of gold price.
Reviewed
Frequently asked questions
How is margin for gold calculated?
Margin = lots × contract size × price ÷ leverage ÷ 100 on a cent account. With a 100-ounce contract, 1.00 lot at $4 000 and leverage 1:2000 needs $2 (200 cents in the terminal).
How much is a pip on XAUUSD?
Brokers use the word for $0.01 or $0.10 of price. On a cent account 1.00 lot gains or loses $1 for a $1 move, $0.10 for a $0.10 move and $0.01 for a $0.01 move; the calculator shows all three.
What is the maximum lot for my deposit?
The lot at which the whole deposit becomes margin (margin level 100%). Opening it leaves no room: any move against the position brings margin call and stop-out closer. It is a limit, not a target.
How do I size a position from risk?
Lot = risk ÷ (stop distance × dollars per $1 move for 1.00 lot), rounded down to 0.01. With $20 of risk and a $5 stop that is 4.00 lots on a cent account.
Does margin change while a position is open?
Yes. Margin is proportional to price, and some brokers change leverage with account size, at weekends or around news. The calculator uses the price and leverage you enter.
About this calculator
Margin, value of a price move and position size for XAUUSD on a cent account — the account type Midas runs on.
Formulas and worked example
In short: how much margin does a gold position need?
On a cent account the margin for gold is lots × 100 × price ÷ leverage ÷ 100, so 0.50 lot at $4 000 with leverage 1:500 needs $4. Leverage changes the margin, not the risk: that position still gains or loses $0.50 for each $1 of gold price.
margin = lots × 100 × price ÷ leverage ÷ 100100 is the contract size in ounces; the last ÷ 100 is there because a cent account counts money in cents. On a standard account drop it.room = (balance − SO × margin) ÷ (lots × $1)How far price can move against this one position before equity falls to the stop-out share SO of the margin; 1.00 lot on a cent account = $1 per $1 of gold.
Worked example: 0.50 lot at 1:500
Cent account, gold $4 000, leverage 1:500, balance $100, stop-out 40%.
| Margin | 0.50 × 100 × 4 000 ÷ 500 ÷ 100 = $4.00 |
| Value of a $1 move | 0.50 × 100 ÷ 100 = $0.50 |
| Margin level, % | 100 ÷ 4 × 100 = 2 500 |
| Room to stop-out | (100 − 0.4 × 4) ÷ 0.50 = 98.4 ÷ 0.50 = $196.80 |
| Max lot (whole balance as margin) | 100 ÷ (100 × 4 000 ÷ 500 ÷ 100) = 100 ÷ 8 = 12.50 |
Margin by lot and leverage
Margin falls in proportion to leverage, while the value of a move does not change: 1.00 lot needs $8 at 1:500, $4 at 1:1000 and $2 at 1:2000, and moves $1 per $1 at all three.
| Lot | 1:500 | 1:1000 | 1:2000 | Value of a $1 move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01 | $0.08 | $0.04 | $0.02 | $0.01 |
| 0.10 | $0.80 | $0.40 | $0.20 | $0.10 |
| 1.00 | $8.00 | $4.00 | $2.00 | $1.00 |
| 10.00 | $80.00 | $40.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 |
Some brokers change leverage with the account size, at weekends or around news. On a standard account every figure is 100 times larger.
Share this scenario
Midas runs the same calculation in its panel on the MT5 chart.The Grid tab shows the room to stop-out for your account and settings.