Cross margin vs isolated margin: which one should I use?

Last updated: 2026-10-15

In isolated margin, each position has its own margin and only that margin is at risk. In cross margin, your positions share the available balance of your Futures wallet, which gives them more room but puts more of your balance at risk.

How does isolated margin work?

• The position gets a fixed margin when it opens.
• If the position is liquidated, you lose that margin, not the rest of your wallet.
• You can add or remove margin to move the liquidation price.
• With an open isolated position you cannot raise its leverage.

How does cross margin work?

• Your cross positions use the available balance of your Futures wallet as a shared buffer.
• Profit on one cross position can support another one.
• If liquidation is reached, all your cross positions are closed, not only the one that lost.
• New pairs start in Cross mode.

Which one should I use?

• Choose isolated when you want to cap the loss of a single trade at the margin you put in, or when you trade a volatile pair.
• Choose cross when you hold several positions and want them to share the balance, and you watch your margin ratio closely.

In cross mode a single bad position can liquidate all your cross positions. Your loss can never be more than your Futures wallet balance, but it can be all of it.

How do I switch margin mode?

Press the margin mode button above the order form on the futures trading page and choose Cross or Isolated. The mode is set per pair. You cannot switch while you have an open position or open order on that pair, so close or cancel them first.

Does the mode change the liquidation price?

Yes. In isolated mode it depends on the position's own margin. In cross mode it also depends on your wallet balance and your other cross positions. The futures calculator can work it out for both modes.