How is the liquidation price of OKX's position calculated?

On OKX, the liquidation price for futures and margin trading is calculated using specific formulas, considering entry price, leverage, and maintenance margin rate.

Apr 14, 2025 at 03:57 pm

The liquidation price of a position on OKX is a critical concept for traders to understand, as it determines the point at which a position will be forcibly closed to prevent further losses. This article will delve into the detailed calculation of the liquidation price for both futures and margin trading on OKX, ensuring that traders have a comprehensive understanding of how these calculations are made.

Understanding Liquidation Price

Liquidation price is the price at which a trader's position is automatically closed by the exchange to prevent further losses. This mechanism is in place to protect both the trader and the exchange from negative account balances. The calculation of the liquidation price varies depending on whether you are trading futures or using margin trading.

Futures Trading Liquidation Price Calculation

For futures trading on OKX, the liquidation price is calculated based on several factors including the entry price, the amount of leverage used, and the maintenance margin rate. The formula for calculating the liquidation price for a long position is as follows:

[ \text{Liquidation Price}_{\text{Long}} = \frac{\text{Entry Price} \times (1 - \text{Maintenance Margin Rate}) + \text{Bankruptcy Price}}{1 + \text{Maintenance Margin Rate}} ]

For a short position, the formula is:

[ \text{Liquidation Price}_{\text{Short}} = \frac{\text{Entry Price} \times (1 + \text{Maintenance Margin Rate}) - \text{Bankruptcy Price}}{1 - \text{Maintenance Margin Rate}} ]

Here, bankruptcy price is the price at which the trader's account balance becomes zero. It is calculated as:

[ \text{Bankruptcy Price} = \frac{\text{Entry Price} \times \text{Initial Margin}}{\text{Initial Margin} + (\text{Entry Price} \times \text{Leverage})} ]

To illustrate, let's consider an example:

• Entry Price: $50,000
• Leverage: 10x
• Initial Margin: $5,000
• Maintenance Margin Rate: 0.5% (or 0.005)

For a long position:

[ \text{Bankruptcy Price} = \frac{50,000 \times 5,000}{5,000 + (50,000 \times 10)} = \frac{250,000,000}{505,000} \approx 495.05 ]

[ \text{Liquidation Price}_{\text{Long}} = \frac{50,000 \times (1 - 0.005) + 495.05}{1 + 0.005} = \frac{49,750 + 495.05}{1.005} \approx 49,995.04 ]

For a short position:

[ \text{Liquidation Price}_{\text{Short}} = \frac{50,000 \times (1 + 0.005) - 495.05}{1 - 0.005} = \frac{50,250 - 495.05}{0.995} \approx 50,004.97 ]

Margin Trading Liquidation Price Calculation

In margin trading, the liquidation price is calculated differently. The formula for the liquidation price in margin trading is:

[ \text{Liquidation Price} = \frac{\text{Entry Price} \times (1 - \text{Maintenance Margin Rate})}{\text{Leverage} \times \text{Maintenance Margin Rate}} ]

Let's use an example to illustrate:

• Entry Price: $10,000
• Leverage: 5x
• Maintenance Margin Rate: 1% (or 0.01)

For a long position:

[ \text{Liquidation Price}_{\text{Long}} = \frac{10,000 \times (1 - 0.01)}{5 \times 0.01} = \frac{9,900}{0.05} = 198,000 ]

For a short position:

[ \text{Liquidation Price}_{\text{Short}} = \frac{10,000 \times (1 + 0.01)}{5 \times 0.01} = \frac{10,100}{0.05} = 202,000 ]

Factors Affecting Liquidation Price

Several factors can affect the liquidation price of a position on OKX:

• Leverage: Higher leverage increases the risk of liquidation as it amplifies both gains and losses.
• Maintenance Margin Rate: This is the minimum amount of margin that must be maintained in the account to keep the position open. A lower maintenance margin rate can lead to a higher liquidation price.
• Entry Price: The price at which the position was opened directly impacts the liquidation price.
• Position Size: Larger positions require more margin and can affect the liquidation price.

Practical Steps to Calculate Liquidation Price

To calculate the liquidation price manually, follow these steps:

• Identify the entry price of your position.
• Determine the leverage you are using.
• Find out the maintenance margin rate set by OKX for the specific trading pair.
• Use the appropriate formula based on whether you are trading futures or margin, and whether your position is long or short.
• Plug in the values and solve the equation to find the liquidation price.

Using OKX's Tools for Liquidation Price

OKX provides tools within its trading platform to help traders calculate the liquidation price. Here’s how to use them:

• Log into your OKX account and navigate to the trading interface.
• Select the trading pair you are interested in.
• Open a position or view an existing one.
• Look for the 'Liquidation Price' indicator on the position details. This will show you the calculated liquidation price based on your current position.

Importance of Monitoring Liquidation Price

Monitoring the liquidation price is crucial for managing risk. Traders should:

• Regularly check the liquidation price of their positions.
• Adjust leverage if necessary to avoid liquidation.
• Set stop-loss orders to automatically close positions before reaching the liquidation price.
• Keep an eye on market volatility as it can affect the likelihood of reaching the liquidation price.

FAQs

Q: Can the liquidation price change after opening a position?

A: Yes, the liquidation price can change if the maintenance margin rate changes or if you add or withdraw margin from your position.

Q: What happens if the market price reaches the liquidation price?

A: If the market price reaches the liquidation price, your position will be automatically closed by OKX to prevent further losses.

Q: Is it possible to avoid liquidation?

A: Yes, you can avoid liquidation by closing your position before the market price reaches the liquidation price, adding more margin to your account, or reducing your leverage.

Q: How can I find the maintenance margin rate for a specific trading pair on OKX?

A: The maintenance margin rate can be found in the contract specifications section of the trading pair on OKX's platform.