How the calculator works
For one isolated position on the first maintenance-margin tier (the tier small and mid-size positions fall into), the liquidation price is:
- Long: entry × (1 − 1 ÷ leverage) ÷ (1 − maintenance margin rate)
- Short: entry × (1 + 1 ÷ leverage) ÷ (1 + maintenance margin rate)
Example: a long at $100 with 10× leverage and a 0.5% maintenance margin liquidates near $90.45, a fall of about 9.5%. The same short liquidates near $109.45.
Leverage vs distance to liquidation
| Leverage | Long liquidates after a fall of about | Short liquidates after a rise of about |
|---|---|---|
| 3× | 33.0% | 32.7% |
| 5× | 19.6% | 19.4% |
| 10× | 9.5% | 9.5% |
| 20× | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| 50× | 1.5% | 1.5% |
Maintenance margin 0.5%. Altcoins often move 5–10% in a day, so leverage above 10× on an altcoin leaves very little room.
Where to find your maintenance margin
- Binance USDT-M: each contract has a tier table (Futures → Info → Leverage & Margin). Small positions on major coins start around 0.4–0.5%; small caps and large positions are higher.
- Delta Exchange India: the contract specification lists the maintenance margin. For BTCUSD it is 0.25% on the first tier.
Fees and funding payments come out of your margin, so the real liquidation price creeps slightly closer over time. Cross margin works differently: the whole account balance backs the position. Read cross vs isolated margin.
Liquidations move markets
When many traders sit at similar liquidation prices, a move into that zone forces a cascade of market orders. That is why open interest and funding matter: they show how crowded a side is.
Long liquidation risk
Crowded, paying longs with stretched price: the setup behind most long squeezes.
This calculator is an estimate for education. Always check the liquidation price your exchange shows on the order screen before you trade. Leveraged futures are high risk.
Frequently asked questions
How is liquidation price calculated on Binance futures?
For an isolated position on the first tier: long = entry × (1 − 1/leverage) ÷ (1 − maintenance margin rate); short = entry × (1 + 1/leverage) ÷ (1 + maintenance margin rate). Larger positions use higher tiers with a deduction amount, which this calculator does not model.
Does this work for Delta Exchange?
Yes, as an estimate. Use Delta's maintenance margin for the contract (0.25% for BTCUSD on the first tier). Delta's order screen shows the exact figure.
Why does my exchange show a slightly different number?
Fees, funding already paid, the tier you are in and cross-margin balance all change it. This tool gives a clean single-position estimate.
What leverage is safe?
No leverage is safe, but distance to liquidation is the key number. At 10×, a 9.5% move liquidates you; altcoins often move that much in a day.