期货保证金是指交易者在期货交易中为保证其交易能力和信用而向交易所缴纳的一定金额。其含义在于，无论期货价格变动如何，交易者必须在到期日履行其交易义务，而保证金确保了其能够做到这一点。

保证金由期货交易所制定，其金额一般为合约价值（即交易合约所代表的货物价值）的一定比例，通常为5%-20%的范围内。在保证金规定方面，不同的期货交易所和不同的品种具有不同的规定。例如，股指期货保证金需求较高，金属期货保证金需求较低。

保证金制度不仅有助于交易者提高交易能力和信用，而且能够抑制交易风险，保障交易市场的稳定。交易员如果不能及时缴纳保证金，应交易所要求，其仓位将可能被清算。当市场价格波动时，保证金将被调整。如果价格跌至保证金比例以下，交易者将需要补充保证金，否则仓位将可能被平仓清算。

根据行业惯例和交易规定，期货保证金制度旨在保护交易者和交易市场，需要交易员严格遵守。同时，保证金制度不仅是市场监管的重要手段，也是交易风险管理的重要手段。交易员应根据自身经验和风险承受能力，合理设置持仓，严格平仓和止盈止损，以防止交易亏损和滑坡。 with the guidelines of the industry and the regulations of the exchanges, the margin requirement for futures trading is typically within a range of 5%-20% of the contract value. The margin requirement for different exchanges and commodity contracts may vary. For instance, stock index futures require higher margin requirement while metal futures require comparatively lower.

The margin system not only helps traders enhance their trading ability and credibility, but also suppresses the trading risk and ensures the stability of the trading market. If a trader fails to pay sufficient margin according to the request of the exchange, his/her positions may be liquidated. Moreover, the margin may be adjusted when the market prices fluctuate. If the prices drop below the margin ratio, traders will have to supplement margin or their positions may be liquidated.

Based on the industry standards and trading regulations, the margin system aims at protecting traders and the trading market, and needs to be strictly followed by the traders. Meanwhile, the margin system not only serves as an important tool for market supervision, but also for risk management. Traders should set their positions according to their trading experience and risk tolerance, and strictly execute stop-loss and take-profit orders to avoid trading losses and slippages.