Futures Position Size Calculator
Pick the contract, type your risk and stop. Get the exact number of contracts, the mini and micro mix, and what you'll really lose if the stop is hit.
Your trade
Size every trade from your journal, freeTJ works out your size from your 1R and your setup grade each time you log a trade.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
The formula
Contracts = dollar risk ÷ (stop distance in points × dollars per point), rounded down so you never risk more than you planned.
Decide the dollar risk first, then find the price where the trade is wrong, and let those two numbers set the size. Moving the stop to fit a size you already wanted is how small losses become big ones.
Point and tick values (CME)
| Symbol | Contract | $ per point | Tick | $ per tick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NQ | E-mini Nasdaq-100 | $20.00 | 0.25 | $5.00 |
| MNQ | Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 | $2.00 | 0.25 | $0.50 |
| ES | E-mini S&P 500 | $50.00 | 0.25 | $12.50 |
| MES | Micro E-mini S&P 500 | $5.00 | 0.25 | $1.25 |
| YM | E-mini Dow | $5.00 | 1 | $5.00 |
| MYM | Micro E-mini Dow | $0.50 | 1 | $0.50 |
| RTY | E-mini Russell 2000 | $50.00 | 0.1 | $5.00 |
| M2K | Micro E-mini Russell 2000 | $5.00 | 0.1 | $0.50 |
| GC | Gold | $100.00 | 0.1 | $10.00 |
| MGC | Micro Gold | $10.00 | 0.1 | $1.00 |
| CL | Crude Oil | $1,000.00 | 0.01 | $10.00 |
| MCL | Micro Crude Oil | $100.00 | 0.01 | $1.00 |
| 6E | Euro FX | $125,000.00 | 5e-05 | $6.25 |
Source: CME Group contract specifications. Gold and oil points are $1.00 price moves; 6E is quoted per 1.0000.
Let TJ watch these numbers for you
TJ sizes every trade from your 1R and your setup grade, so weaker setups automatically get a smaller size. Free for 3 days, then pick a plan.
Questions
How do you calculate position size for futures?
Contracts = dollar risk ÷ (stop distance in points × dollars per point), rounded down. For NQ at $20 a point, a $400 risk with a 10-point stop is 400 ÷ (10 × 20) = 2 contracts.
What is NQ worth per point and per tick?
NQ (E-mini Nasdaq-100) is $20 per index point and $5 per 0.25 tick. MNQ, the micro, is $2 per point and $0.50 per tick.
When should I use micros instead of minis?
When one mini contract risks more than your 1R at your stop. Ten micros equal one mini, so micros let you size in tenths and keep the stop where the trade is actually wrong.
Does this include commissions and slippage?
No. Add a few ticks of slippage to your stop on fast markets and remember commissions are charged per contract, so large micro positions cost more in fees than the same size in minis.
Is the point value the same at every broker?
These are CME contract specifications, so futures point values are the same everywhere. Check your platform if you trade CFDs instead: their contract sizes vary by broker.
Want the full walkthrough? Read Position size for NQ, ES and gold: the exact math.