CryptonicTools

How to estimate crypto liquidation price

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Guide to isolated-margin liquidation and bankruptcy approximations for long and short positions, plus why exchanges differ.

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Liquidation price is the level where a leveraged position is force-closed. Estimating it before you size a trade helps you avoid leverage that cannot survive normal noise.

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Purpose

Liquidation price is the level where a leveraged position is force-closed. Estimating it before you size a trade helps you avoid leverage that cannot survive normal noise.

When to use it

  • Before opening a long or short with leverage
  • When comparing leverage tiers and maintenance margin assumptions
  • To see how far bankruptcy sits beyond the maintenance buffer
  • When reviewing a liquidated trade after the fact

How to use it

  1. Choose long or short. Select the side that matches your planned position.
  2. Enter entry, leverage, and margin inputs. Use the same entry and leverage you will set on the exchange.
  3. Review liquidation and bankruptcy. Read the approximated liquidation price and bankruptcy level.
  4. Confirm on the venue calculator. Cross-check Binance, Bybit, or your venue’s official tool before risking capital.

Benefits

  • Fast isolated-margin intuition without logging into an exchange
  • Separates maintenance liquidation from theoretical bankruptcy
  • Helps stress-test leverage before you click buy
  • Pairs with position size and profit tools

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Insurance funds, mark prices, and tiered MMR differ by venue
  • Cross-margin and portfolio margin are not the same as isolated
  • Funding payments can move effective equity over time
  • Approximation only — never the sole risk check

Isolated-margin approximation used here

CryptonicTools uses a transparent isolated-margin style estimate: long ≈ entry × (1 − 1/leverage + MMR), short ≈ entry × (1 + 1/leverage − MMR), where MMR is maintenance margin rate. Bankruptcy is the theoretical zero-equity level if you ignore the maintenance buffer; venues usually liquidate earlier.

That formula is good for teaching and first-pass risk. It is not a byte-for-byte clone of any single exchange engine.

Why your exchange number will differ

Mark price, funding, insurance funds, and tiered maintenance rates all move the real liquidation line. A one-way move that “should” survive on a napkin math sheet can still liquidate if mark price spikes. Always simulate on the venue.

Combine this calculator with position size and risk/reward tools so notional size and stop distance match the leverage you chose. This is not financial advice.

Purpose: survive volatility, not chase max leverage

The purpose of checking liquidation early is to pick leverage that can survive normal wicks. Max available leverage is a product feature, not a recommendation. Use CryptonicTools to make that conversation concrete before you sign a futures order.

Related links

Updated 2026-09-09. Educational only — not financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

How is liquidation price estimated?+

We use an isolated-margin approximation: long ≈ entry × (1 − 1/leverage + MMR), short ≈ entry × (1 + 1/leverage − MMR), where MMR is maintenance margin rate.

What is bankruptcy price?+

Bankruptcy is the level where equity would hit zero if you ignore the maintenance buffer. Exchanges usually liquidate earlier than that theoretical zero.

Will this match Binance or Bybit exactly?+

Unlikely. Venues use insurance funds, mark prices, and tiered MMR. Confirm on the exchange’s own calculator before you size risk.

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