Calculate exactly how many contracts to use based on your risk tolerance
Disclaimer: The results from this calculator are for informational purposes only and may differ from actual outcomes due to market conditions. Please use caution and consider professional advice before making trading decisions.
This tool helps futures traders manage risk. Unlike stocks, futures contracts have different "point values." A 10-point move in the S&P 500 (ES) is worth $500, but a 10-point move in the Micro Nasdaq (MNQ) is only worth $20.
This calculator does the math for you. It tells you exactly how many contracts you can trade so that if your stop loss is hit, you only lose the specific dollar amount you are comfortable with.
Knowing your contract size helps you in three ways:
Trade with Consistency: Whether you trade Gold, Oil, or the S&P 500, the math is different for each. This tool ensures you risk the exact same dollar amount on every trade, no matter which asset you choose.
Instant Math: You don't need to use a calculator or memorize the values for every symbol. This tool uses the official contract specs to give you the exact numbers instantly.
Protect Your Capital: The most important rule in trading is risk management. This tool tells you exactly how many contracts to trade so you never risk more than you are comfortable with.
This tool is very simple to use:
Select Instrument: Choose the futures pair you want to trade (e.g., E-mini S&P 500). The tool will automatically load the correct point value and tick size.
Enter Risk Amount: Type in the maximum money you are willing to lose on this trade (e.g., $250).
Select Unit: Choose if your stop loss is in Ticks or Points.
Enter Stop Loss: Type the size of your stop loss.
Get Results: The calculator will show you how many contracts to buy or sell.
| Instrument Name | Symbol | Tick Size | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-mini Nasdaq 100 | NQ | 0.25 | $20 |
| Micro Nasdaq 100 | MNQ | 0.25 | $2 |
| E-mini S&P 500 | ES | 0.25 | $50 |
| Micro S&P 500 | MES | 0.25 | $5 |
| E-mini Dow Jones | YM | 1.00 | $5 |
| Micro Dow Jones | MYM | 1.00 | $0.50 |
| E-mini Russell 2000 | RTY | 0.10 | $50 |
| Micro Russell 2000 | M2K | 0.10 | $5 |
| Crude Oil | CL | 0.01 | $1,000 |
| Gold | GC | 0.10 | $100 |
A Point is the main unit of measurement. A Tick is the smallest possible move a price can make. For example, in the S&P 500 (ES), 1 Point is equal to 4 Ticks
E-mini contracts are the standard size. Micro contracts are 1/10th the size of an E-mini. Micros are helpful for smaller accounts because they allow you to manage your risk more precisely
This happens if your Stop Loss is too wide for your Risk Amount. If your intended loss is $100, but the stop loss on an E-mini contract would cost $500, you cannot afford even 1 contract. You should try switching to a "Micro" contract instead
No, this tool only calculates the number of contracts based on your stop loss and point value. It does not include commissions or other trading fees
Input your daily P&L to see if you are meeting prop firm consistency rules
Analyze your profit and loss data to calculate your exact win rate