What to know before sizing NQ
NQ is the CME E-mini Nasdaq-100 future: $20 per index point, with a tick of 0.25 points worth $5. The index is much more volatile in points than the S&P 500, so while $20 per point looks smaller than ES's $50, a typical stop is far wider: 25 points is $500, and 100 points is $2,000 per contract. At 20,000 on the index one contract represents $400,000 of exposure.
That mix of wide point ranges and whole-contract sizing is why many NQ traders work in the Micro (MNQ, $2 per point). It also moves with the handful of mega-cap technology stocks that dominate the index, and with rate expectations and earnings. Trading hours run almost around the clock from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon (New York time), and the contract rolls quarterly.
Watch for
- A stop that sounds tight in points is not tight in dollars. 25 points is $500 on one NQ contract, but $50 on one MNQ.
- The fastest moves cluster around the US cash open and major earnings from the largest members. Spreads in ticks widen then, and stops can slip several ticks.
- Position value per contract is large. The leverage figure in the calculator is a reminder that one contract can be several times a small account.
NQ contract specifications (example)
| Instrument | E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures (NQ) |
|---|---|
| Contract size (example) | $20 per index point; tick 0.25 point = $5 (Micro E-mini MNQ: $2 per point, $0.50 per tick) |
| Value of 1 point per 1 contract | $20.00 at the example price |
| Tick size and value | 0.25 = $5.00 per contract |
| Minimum size and step (example) | 1 contract (the micro contract is one tenth) |
| Example price used | 20,000.00 |
| Currency handling | Priced in USD, so no conversion is needed. |
Example specification. Brokers differ: confirm the contract size, minimum size and step in your platform's contract specification before you size a real trade.
Worked examples for NQ
Every number below is computed with the same formulas as the calculator, at the example prices shown, for a USD account.
Value of one point at different sizes
At the example price of 20,000.00, the money value of one point on NQ for a USD account:
Sizing a trade on NQ from your risk
Account $50,000, risk 1% ($500), stop 25 points. Each point is worth $20.00 per contract, so the exact size is 500 ÷ (25 × $20.00) = 1 contract. Rounded down to a tradable size that is 1, and the real risk is $500.
Full contract or micro (MNQ)?
Same 25 point stop, 1% risk, at two account sizes. Full contract: $20.00 per point. MNQ: $2.00 per point.
Dollar risk limit at $10,000 is $100; one full contract risks $500 with this stop.
The math behind the numbers
size = (balance × risk %) ÷ (stop in points × value of 1 point per contract)
round down to a multiple of 1
position value = size × contract × price (converted to USD)Same formulas as the pip value and position size calculators (NQ numbers above are examples at the price shown). Rounding down keeps real risk at or below your limit.
To run your own numbers for another currency or contract, use the lot size calculator, the pip value calculator or the position size calculator. How much to risk per trade is a separate question, covered in how much to risk per trade, and the step-by-step is in how to calculate position size.
NQ questions
What is the tick value of NQ?
One tick is 0.25 index points, worth $5 per contract. A full point is four ticks, or $20. The Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 (MNQ) is one tenth: $0.50 per tick and $2 per point.
Why is NQ riskier per contract than ES?
Its point value ($20) is smaller than ES's ($50), but the index moves many more points a day, so a normal stop costs more dollars per contract. Compare the dollar risk of your stop, not the point value.
Should I trade NQ or MNQ with a $10,000 account?
Work from your dollar risk. At 1% that is $100: with a 25 point stop, one NQ contract risks $500, which is five times too much, while two MNQ contracts risk $100. The calculator shows both.
How much is one point worth on NQ?
For a USD account, one point on 1 contract is about $20.00 at the example price of 20,000.00, and $2.00 on MNQ. Brokers differ, so confirm the contract size before you rely on it.
What size should I trade on NQ with $50,000?
It depends on your risk and stop, not on the account alone. With 1% risk and a 25 point stop the example size is 1 contract, which risks $500. Change the stop and the size changes with it. This is arithmetic, not advice.
Know what each point is worth, then place the stop.
Once you know what a point on NQ is worth, the stop distance sets your risk. These indicators help you find where the stop belongs.
Last updated November 2026. For education only. Not financial advice. Position sizing limits the loss you plan, but stops can slip and losses can exceed the planned amount. Results depend on your inputs and cannot predict future performance.