POST
/
exchange
Update isolated margin
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.hyperliquid.xyz/exchange \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
  "action": {
    "type": "updateIsolatedMargin",
    "asset": 0,
    "isBuy": true,
    "ntli": "100.0"
  },
  "nonce": 1705234567890,
  "signature": {
    "r": "0x1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef",
    "s": "0xfedcba0987654321fedcba0987654321fedcba0987654321fedcba0987654321",
    "v": 27
  },
  "vaultAddress": null
}'
{
  "status": "ok",
  "response": {
    "type": "updateIsolatedMargin",
    "data": {
      "status": "success"
    }
  }
}
This endpoint requires signature authentication. See our comprehensive Authentication via Signatures guide for implementation details.
Adds or removes margin from an isolated perpetual position on the Hyperliquid exchange. This allows you to adjust the margin allocated to a specific position without closing it.
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​
Parameters

​
Required parameters

  • action (object, required) — The update isolated margin action object containing:
    • type (string) — Must be "updateIsolatedMargin" or "topUpIsolatedOnlyMargin"
    • For "updateIsolatedMargin":
      • asset (number) — Asset index of the coin
      • isBuy (boolean) — true (reserved for future hedge mode support)
      • ntli (number) — Amount to add (positive) or remove (negative) in USDC with 6 decimals (e.g., 1000000 = 1 USDC)
    • For "topUpIsolatedOnlyMargin":
      • asset (number) — Asset index of the coin
      • leverage (string) — Target leverage as a float string (e.g., “5.0”)
  • nonce (number, required) — Current timestamp in milliseconds (must be recent)
  • signature (object, required) — EIP-712 signature of the action

​
Optional parameters

  • vaultAddress (string, optional) — Address when trading on behalf of a vault or subaccount
  • expiresAfter (number, optional) — Timestamp in milliseconds after which the request is rejected

​
Margin adjustment types

​
Direct USDC adjustment

Use "updateIsolatedMargin" to add or remove a specific USDC amount:
  • Positive ntli — Adds margin to the position
  • Negative ntli — Removes margin from the position

​
Target leverage adjustment

Use "topUpIsolatedOnlyMargin" to set a target leverage:
  • Calculates required margin to achieve the specified leverage
  • Only allows adding margin (top-up), not removal

​
Returns

Returns an object with update status:
  • status — "ok" if successful
  • response — Contains update details:
    • type — "default"

​
Example request

# Add 100 USDC to isolated position
curl -X POST https://api.hyperliquid.xyz/exchange \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "action": {
      "type": "updateIsolatedMargin",
      "asset": 0,
      "isBuy": true,
      "ntli": 100000000
    },
    "nonce": 1234567890123,
    "signature": {...}
  }'

# Set position to 5x leverage
curl -X POST https://api.hyperliquid.xyz/exchange \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "action": {
      "type": "topUpIsolatedOnlyMargin",
      "asset": 0,
      "leverage": "5.0"
    },
    "nonce": 1234567890123,
    "signature": {...}
  }'

​
Response example

{
  "status": "ok",
  "response": {
    "type": "default"
  }
}

​
Important considerations

  • Isolated only — This only works for isolated margin positions, not cross margin
  • Position required — Must have an existing isolated position
  • Removal limits — Cannot remove margin below minimum requirements
  • Liquidation risk — Removing margin increases liquidation risk

​
Use cases

  • Risk management — Add margin to reduce liquidation risk during volatility
  • Capital optimization — Remove excess margin for use elsewhere
  • Dynamic adjustment — Adjust position margin based on market conditions
  • Leverage targeting — Set specific leverage levels for risk management
The isBuy parameter is currently always true but is included for future hedge mode support where long and short positions can be held simultaneously.
Removing margin from a position increases its effective leverage and liquidation risk. Always ensure remaining margin meets minimum requirements.

Body

application/json
​
action
object
required
​
nonce
integer
required

Current timestamp in milliseconds

​
signature
object
required

EIP-712 signature of the action with r, s, v components

​
vaultAddress
string

Address when trading on behalf of a vault or subaccount (optional)

Response

200 - application/json

Isolated margin update result

​
status
string

Request status

​
response
object