What does it mean if I get a margin call? | Robinhood

What does it mean if I get a margin call?

A margin maintenance call is when your portfolio value decreases to less than your total maintenance requirement.

Margin maintenance calls can happen for a variety of reasons, including a decline in the value of your holdings, ACH reversals, or options assignments.

If you get a margin maintenance call, you must increase your portfolio value back up to your total maintenance requirement, or you risk Robinhood selling some or all of your securities, with or without your prior approval.

Keep in mind that crypto holdings are not factored in when issuing margin calls because they aren't securities and are held with our affiliate, Robinhood Crypto, LLC.

How do I avoid a margin call?

Margin calls are no fun, so we’re happy to give you some tips on how to avoid them.

  • You can compare your portfolio value to your total maintenance requirement with this link to determine if you're approaching a margin call. Review What’s the total maintenance requirement for more details on how the requirement is calculated. Note that crypto holdings are not factored in when issuing margin calls.

  • Look out for updates from us when your portfolio value is getting close to your investing account’s total maintenance requirement. You’ll typically receive an in-app message when you’re close to receiving a margin call, and after you get a margin call, you’ll receive an email.

  • If you elect to deposit funds after receiving such a message in the app or a margin call, you may see a pre-filled or optional deposit amount that we expect will help keep your portfolio value above your total maintenance requirement. However, depositing the suggested amount doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get a margin call. Any pre-filled or optional deposit amount is provided solely for your reference, is subject to change, and isn’t a recommendation. You can always enter a different deposit amount or sell stocks to help keep your portfolio value above your total maintenance requirement.

How to resolve a margin call

You can resolve a margin call in a few different ways, including:

  • Deposit additional funds or initiate an account transfer to increase your portfolio value above the total maintenance requirement. Note that crypto holdings are not factored in when issuing margin calls.

  • Sell some of your securities to cover the required amount. The proceeds from the sales can help cover your margin call. This may allow you to avoid depositing additional funds. Keep in mind that you may also sell non-marginable positions, such as options or crypto to cover your maintenance call.

Note

Crypto positions can't be traded on margin. They’re not accounted for in your portfolio value because crypto are not securities and they’re held with Robinhood Crypto.

Disclosures

All investments involve risk including loss of principal. No investments are FDIC insured. All examples are hypothetical and don’t reflect actual or anticipated results. Content is provided for informational purposes only, doesn’t constitute investment advice, and isn’t a recommendation for any security, account type or feature, or trading strategy. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

Margin investing involves interest charges and risks, including the potential to lose more than deposited or the need to deposit additional collateral in a falling market. Before using margin, customers must determine whether this type of trading strategy is right for them given their specific investment objectives, experience, risk tolerance, and financial situation.

Robinhood Financial can change its maintenance requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your account decreases to less than the total maintenance requirement, you’ll have to deposit additional cash or acceptable collateral. If you fail to meet your minimums, Robinhood Financial may be forced to sell some or all of your securities, with or without your prior approval.

For more information, review FINRA’s Investor Alert and Robinhood Financial’s Customer Relationship Summary, Margin Disclosure Statement, and Margin Agreement. These disclosures contain important information on Robinhood Financial’s products and services, conflicts of interests, lending policies, interest charges, and the risks associated with margin investing enabled accounts.

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All investing involves risk.

Brokerage services are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, (“RHF”) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC), and clearing services through Robinhood Securities, LLC, (“RHS”) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC).

Futures and cleared swaps trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC, (“RHD”) a registered futures commission merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a Member of the National Futures Association (NFA). RHD is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.

Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (“RHC”) (NMLS ID: 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Review a list of RHC's licenses for more information. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.

The Robinhood spending account is offered through Robinhood Money, LLC (“RHY”) (NMLS ID: 1990968), a licensed money transmitter. Review a list of our licenses for more information.

The Robinhood Cash Card is a prepaid card issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Robinhood Gold Card is subject to credit approval and underwriting. Robinhood Gold Card is offered by Robinhood Credit, Inc., and is issued by Coastal Community Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Robinhood Credit, Inc. (“RCT”), is a financial technology company, not a bank.

Robinhood Gold is a subscription-based membership program of premium services offered through Robinhood Gold, LLC (“RHG”).

RHF, RHY, RHC, RCT, RHG, RHD, and RHS are affiliated entities and wholly owned subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. RHF, RHY, RHC, RCT, RHG, RHD, and RHS are not banks. Investing products offered by RHF are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including possible loss of principal.

RHY is not a member of FINRA, and products are not subject to SIPC protection, but funds held in the Robinhood spending account and Robinhood Cash Card account may be eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance (review the Robinhood Cash Card Agreement and the Robinhood Spending Account Agreement).

Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.

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Robinhood, 85 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. © 2025 Robinhood. All rights reserved.
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All investing involves risk.

Brokerage services are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, (“RHF”) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC), and clearing services through Robinhood Securities, LLC, (“RHS”) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC).

Futures and cleared swaps trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC, (“RHD”) a registered futures commission merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a Member of the National Futures Association (NFA). RHD is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.

Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (“RHC”) (NMLS ID: 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Review a list of RHC's licenses for more information. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.

The Robinhood spending account is offered through Robinhood Money, LLC (“RHY”) (NMLS ID: 1990968), a licensed money transmitter. Review a list of our licenses for more information.

The Robinhood Cash Card is a prepaid card issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Robinhood Gold Card is subject to credit approval and underwriting. Robinhood Gold Card is offered by Robinhood Credit, Inc., and is issued by Coastal Community Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Robinhood Credit, Inc. (“RCT”), is a financial technology company, not a bank.

Robinhood Gold is a subscription-based membership program of premium services offered through Robinhood Gold, LLC (“RHG”).

RHF, RHY, RHC, RCT, RHG, RHD, and RHS are affiliated entities and wholly owned subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. RHF, RHY, RHC, RCT, RHG, RHD, and RHS are not banks. Investing products offered by RHF are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including possible loss of principal.

RHY is not a member of FINRA, and products are not subject to SIPC protection, but funds held in the Robinhood spending account and Robinhood Cash Card account may be eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance (review the Robinhood Cash Card Agreement and the Robinhood Spending Account Agreement).

Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.

RO 4146192

Robinhood, 85 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. © 2025 Robinhood. All rights reserved.