Futures position size calculator
Enter your account size, your risk per trade and your stop: the calculator returns the number of contracts and the actual risk, using the official tick value of each contract.
- Tick value
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- Point value
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- Stop in ticks
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- Risk per contract
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- Actual risk
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How the calculation works
- Tick value = point value × tick size (e.g. ES: $50 × 0.25 = $12.50).
- Risk per contract = stop distance in ticks × tick value.
- Number of contracts = risk per trade ÷ risk per contract, rounded down (never up).
- Actual risk = contracts × risk per contract: always at or below the risk you set.
Contract specifications used
Values re-read on 22 September 2026 from the official CME Group and Eurex specification pages (link on each row). Exchanges can change a contract: check the page before trading.
| Code | Contract | Exchange | Point value | Tick | Tick value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES | E-mini S&P 500 | CME | 50 USD | 0.25 | 12.5 USD | CME Group |
| MES | Micro E-mini S&P 500 | CME | 5 USD | 0.25 | 1.25 USD | CME Group |
| NQ | E-mini Nasdaq-100 | CME | 20 USD | 0.25 | 5 USD | CME Group |
| MNQ | Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 | CME | 2 USD | 0.25 | 0.5 USD | CME Group |
| YM | E-mini Dow ($5) | CBOT | 5 USD | 1 | 5 USD | CME Group |
| MYM | Micro E-mini Dow | CBOT | 0.5 USD | 1 | 0.5 USD | CME Group |
| RTY | E-mini Russell 2000 | CME | 50 USD | 0.1 | 5 USD | CME Group |
| M2K | Micro E-mini Russell 2000 | CME | 5 USD | 0.1 | 0.5 USD | CME Group |
| GC | Gold (100 troy oz) | COMEX | 100 USD | 0.1 | 10 USD | CME Group |
| MGC | Micro Gold (10 troy oz) | COMEX | 10 USD | 0.1 | 1 USD | CME Group |
| CL | Crude Oil WTI (1,000 bbl) | NYMEX | 1,000 USD | 0.01 | 10 USD | CME Group |
| MCL | Micro WTI Crude Oil (100 bbl) | NYMEX | 100 USD | 0.01 | 1 USD | CME Group |
| 6E | Euro FX (125,000 EUR) | CME | 125,000 USD | 0.00005 | 6.25 USD | CME Group |
| FESX | EURO STOXX 50 Index Futures | Eurex | 10 EUR | 1 | 10 EUR | Eurex |
| FDAX | DAX Futures | Eurex | 25 EUR | 1 | 25 EUR | Eurex |
| FDXM | Mini-DAX Futures | Eurex | 5 EUR | 1 | 5 EUR | Eurex |
Limits
- The calculation ignores commissions, slippage and the margin your broker requires.
- A stop does not guarantee execution at the intended price, especially around economic releases.
- A "reasonable" risk percentage depends on your situation; the default values are examples, not recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tick value on NQ?
On the E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ) one point is worth $20 and the minimum tick is 0.25 point, i.e. $5 per tick per contract according to the CME Group specification. On the micro (MNQ) one point is $2 and the tick $0.50.
Should I enter the stop in ticks or points?
Either works. In points, the calculator converts using the contract’s tick size (ES: 1 point = 4 ticks; CL: $1 = 100 ticks).
Why is the number of contracts rounded down?
Rounding up would exceed the risk you set. If the result is 0, the stop is too wide for that contract and that risk: tighten it or switch to a micro contract.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser; the site only records anonymous tool-usage events, without any identifier.
Educational content. These indicators are not investment advice and guarantee no result. Futures trading involves a risk of loss that can exceed the initial investment. Terms of use · Disclaimers