Your first OKX perpetual position: size it so a bad move is survivable
The usual first step on a futures screen is to pick a leverage number, often a large one, and then work out the rest. That is the wrong order. A first perpetual position on OKX should start from a much duller question: if the trade goes against me, how much of my account am I willing to lose? Once that is clear, leverage, size and stop placement follow from simple arithmetic. This guide walks through that order on the OKX trading screen.
Choose isolated margin for the first trades
On the OKX trading screen for a perpetual swap, you can switch between cross and isolated margin. In isolated mode, only the margin you assign to that position is at risk, which keeps a mistake from draining the rest of your trading account. Cross margin shares your balance across positions and is harder to reason about as a beginner. Pick isolated for your first trades and confirm the mode before you place the order, because changing it later can be restricted while a position is open.
Work backwards from your stop
Decide where your idea is wrong, meaning the price at which you would close the trade. The distance from entry to that price, multiplied by the position size, is roughly what you lose if the stop is hit, plus fees. Choose a size that keeps that loss within the amount you set earlier. Leverage is then only a way of posting less margin for that size. If your chosen stop is close to the liquidation price, the leverage is too high.
Read the liquidation price before confirming
OKX shows an estimated liquidation price on the order form once you enter size and leverage. Look at it before you confirm and compare it with your stop. Your stop should be hit well before liquidation. Remember that the estimate moves if you add margin, change leverage or if funding payments reduce your margin over time. After the order fills, check the position panel to see the current figure rather than relying on the one from the form.
Set the exits right away
Attach a stop loss and, if you like, a take profit to the position as soon as it opens, using the order options on the trading screen or in the position panel. Check whether the stop uses the last price or the mark price, since the two can differ during fast moves. Turn on app notifications so you see fills. When the trade ends, look at the realised result together with fees and funding to learn what the position really cost.
Risk boundary: OKX Trading Guide
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Scenario checkpoint
- Select isolated margin and confirm the mode before opening your first perpetual.
- Size the position from your stop distance and the loss you accept.
- Compare the estimated liquidation price with your stop before confirming.
- Attach a stop loss immediately and check whether it uses last or mark price.