How to Change Leverage on Bitget Futures — Quick Guide

By Editorial Team · July 2026

Who This Is For

This guide is for cryptocurrency traders who already have a Bitget account and want to adjust their futures leverage for better risk control or higher position sizing.

What You’ll Need

• A verified Bitget account with futures trading enabled
• Funds deposited into your futures wallet (USDT, USDC, or coin-margined collateral)
• Basic understanding of how leverage works — including liquidation risk
• An active internet connection and the Bitget app or web platform open
• A clear idea of your risk tolerance before entering a trade

Step 1: Open the Bitget Futures Trading Interface

Log into your Bitget account and navigate to the “Derivatives” section from the top menu. Select “USDT-M Futures” or “Coin-M Futures” depending on which market you want to trade. The default leverage for new users is typically 20x, but this varies by asset and your account tier. You’ll see the leverage setting near the top-left of the trading screen, just above the price chart. On the mobile app, tap the “Futures” icon, choose your contract, and the leverage slider appears in the trade entry panel.

If you don’t see the leverage option, make sure you’re looking at the “Futures” tab — not the “Spot” or “Margin” tabs. Bitget’s interface is clean, but the leverage control is tucked into the order entry area. You might need to tap a small gear icon or the current leverage number to bring up the adjustment slider. For example, on the web platform, the leverage display shows “20x” by default — clicking it opens a pop-up where you can drag the slider or type a custom value.

And here’s a pro tip: before you change anything, check your current position. If you already have an open position in isolated margin mode, you’ll need to close it first or switch to cross-margin to adjust leverage. More on that in Step 3.

Step 2: Adjust Leverage for a New Position

This is the most common scenario — you’re about to open a trade and want to set the leverage first. In the order entry box, look for the leverage indicator. On the web interface, it’s usually a small number with an “x” next to it, like “20x.” Click it, and a slider appears ranging from 1x to the maximum allowed for that contract (often 125x for major pairs like BTC/USDT). Drag the slider to your desired level, or type the number directly into the input field. Hit “Confirm” or simply click outside the pop-up to save.

Bitget allows leverage increments of 1x for most contracts, so you can fine-tune. For example, setting 5x means a $100 position controls $500 in notional value. If the price moves 20% against you, your position gets liquidated. At 50x, that same $100 controls $5,000, and a 2% adverse move wipes you out. So choose carefully. The platform also shows your liquidation price in real-time as you adjust the slider — use that as your guide.

One thing to note: maximum leverage varies by asset. Bitcoin and Ethereum typically allow higher leverage (up to 125x), while smaller altcoins might cap at 20x or 50x. Bitget also adjusts leverage limits based on your VIP tier and total trading volume. If you see a lower max than expected, check your account level in the “VIP” section.

Step 3: Change Leverage on an Open Position

You can adjust leverage on an active trade — but only if you’re using cross-margin mode. Isolated margin locks the leverage when the position opens. So if you want flexibility, start with cross-margin. To change leverage on an open position, go to the “Positions” tab below the chart. Find your open position and click the leverage number next to it. A pop-up appears with a slider. Adjust it, and the platform recalculates your margin and liquidation price instantly.

Here’s a real-world example: you bought 0.1 BTC at 20x leverage, using $500 margin. The price moves in your favor, and you want to reduce risk. You can lower the leverage to 10x, which increases your margin requirement — the platform will ask you to confirm the additional margin needed. If you don’t have enough in your futures wallet, the adjustment won’t go through. Conversely, increasing leverage frees up margin, which returns to your wallet balance.

But there’s a catch: changing leverage on an open position can trigger a liquidation if the new leverage level pushes your margin ratio too low. Always check the “Liquidation Price” field before confirming. A 10% buffer is a good rule of thumb — if your liquidation price is too close to the current market price, reconsider the move. And remember, this adjustment only works in cross-margin mode. If you’re in isolated mode, you must close the position first, change leverage, then reopen.

For more on managing positions, check out our guide on Can Crypto Traders Claim the QBI Deduction?.

Step 4: Verify and Confirm Your Leverage Change

After you adjust the slider, Bitget shows a confirmation box with the new leverage, updated liquidation price, and margin changes. Read this carefully. The confirmation also displays the “Maintenance Margin Rate” — the minimum margin needed to keep the position open. If your margin falls below this, liquidation happens. Tap or click “Confirm” to finalize. The platform then updates the position details in real-time.

A common mistake is forgetting to confirm — the slider change doesn’t take effect until you hit that button. I’ve seen traders drag the slider, then start placing orders, only to realize the leverage didn’t change. So always double-check the leverage value in the order entry area before submitting a trade. On mobile, the confirmation is a two-step process: first the slider, then a “Confirm” button in the pop-up. On web, it’s similar but with an additional “Apply” button.

After confirmation, the new leverage applies immediately to new orders or, if you adjusted an open position, to the existing trade. The platform recalculates your unrealized PnL and margin ratio. For example, lowering leverage from 50x to 10x on a profitable trade reduces your return percentage but also lowers liquidation risk. It’s a trade-off — and one you should make consciously.

Common Pitfalls and Risks

⚠️ Risk: Accidentally over-leveraging. The slider moves easily, and if you’re not paying attention, you might set 100x instead of 10x. A 0.5% price swing at 100x liquidates a full position. Mitigation: always type the leverage number manually instead of dragging the slider. And set a hard rule — never exceed 20x for your first 50 trades.

⚠️ Risk: Ignoring liquidation price changes. When you increase leverage on an open position, the liquidation price moves closer to the current market price. Many traders forget to check this and get liquidated on a small retracement. Mitigation: before confirming any leverage change, note the new liquidation price and ensure it’s at least 15-20% away from the current price for volatile assets like altcoins.

⚠️ Risk: Confusing isolated and cross-margin modes. You can’t change leverage on an isolated position without closing it first. This leads to frustration and missed opportunities. Mitigation: use cross-margin mode if you plan to adjust leverage mid-trade. Read Bitget’s margin mode guide in the “Help Center” before trading.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Leverage trading carries significant risk — you may lose all your deposited funds. Always start with small positions and never trade with money you can’t afford to lose.

What Next?

Now that you know how to change leverage, practice with a small position on a stablecoin pair like USDT/USDC to get comfortable with the interface before risking real capital.

Sources & References

• Investopedia — Leverage Definition and Examples
• CoinDesk — What Is Leverage Trading in Crypto?
• SEC — Investor Bulletin: Leveraged and Inverse ETFs
• Learn more about position management in our article on Understanding Short Squeeze Mechanics in APE USDT Futures.

— Editorial Team