Key takeaways
Tick size is the smallest price move. Tick value is what one tick is worth in dollars for one contract. Point value is what a full point is worth. Profit or loss = ticks moved × tick value × contracts. Micros are one-tenth the size of their full-size versions, so costs per trade weigh more heavily on them.
Before you place a futures trade, you should know exactly how many dollars you make or lose for every move in price. That number is fixed by the exchange in each contract's specifications. Once you can read a spec sheet, you can calculate risk, size positions and compare contracts in seconds.
Key points
- Tick size is the smallest price increment a contract can move.
- Tick value is the dollar value of one tick for one contract.
- Point value is the dollar value of a one-point (or $1.00) move.
- Profit or loss = ticks moved × tick value × number of contracts.
- Micro contracts are one-tenth the size of their E-mini or standard versions.
- Commissions and fees are a fixed cost per contract, so they take a bigger share of each tick on micros.
The three numbers that matter
Tick size is the smallest amount the price can move. ES moves in 0.25-point steps, so it can go from 6,000.00 to 6,000.25 but never to 6,000.10.
Tick value is how many dollars that smallest move is worth for one contract. For ES it is $12.50.
Point value is the dollar value of a one-point move. Because ES has four ticks per point, its point value is 4 × $12.50 = $50. For commodities priced in dollars, the equivalent is the value of a $1.00 move.
All three come from the contract unit (also called the multiplier). ES is $50 × the S&P 500 index, so one point is $50 and a quarter point is $12.50.
Common contract specs
| Contract | Tick size | Tick value | Point value |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES | 0.25 | $12.50 | $50 |
| MES | 0.25 | $1.25 | $5 |
| NQ | 0.25 | $5.00 | $20 |
| MNQ | 0.25 | $0.50 | $2 |
| YM | 1.00 | $5.00 | $5 |
| RTY | 0.10 | $5.00 | $50 |
| CL | $0.01 | $10.00 | $1,000 per $1.00 |
| MCL | $0.01 | $1.00 | $100 per $1.00 |
| GC | $0.10 | $10.00 | $100 per $1.00 |
| MGC | $0.10 | $1.00 | $10 per $1.00 |
Source: CME Group contract specifications. See all our contract guides for more detail, including trading hours and contract months.
The profit and loss formula
Profit or loss = number of ticks × tick value × number of contracts
An equivalent version uses points: points moved × point value × contracts. Both give the same answer. Use whichever is easier for the contract you trade.
Worked example 1: MES
You buy 2 MES at 6,000.00 and sell at 6,006.00. That is 6 points, or 24 ticks (6 × 4). Result: 24 × $1.25 × 2 = $60 before commissions. Using points: 6 × $5 × 2 = $60.
Worked example 2: NQ
You buy 1 NQ at 21,000.00 and sell at 21,012.50. That is 12.5 points, or 50 ticks. Result: 50 × $5.00 = $250. Using points: 12.5 × $20 = $250. The same trade on one MNQ would make $25.
Worked example 3: crude oil
You buy 1 CL at $72.40 and the price falls to $72.15, where your stop fills. That is a $0.25 drop, or 25 ticks. Result: 25 × $10 = −$250. On one MCL the loss would be 25 × $1 = −$25.
Worked example 4: gold
Gold rises $15.00 per ounce while you are long 1 GC. That is 150 ticks of $0.10. Result: 150 × $10 = $1,500. On one MGC it would be $150.
Comparing contracts by dollar movement
Tick value alone does not tell you how risky a contract is. What matters is tick value multiplied by how far the contract typically moves. NQ and ES have the same 0.25 tick size, but NQ's index level is much higher and it tends to move more points per day, so NQ often swings more dollars per contract than ES even though its point value is lower. Always think in dollars per trade, not points.
A quick way to compare: decide the stop you would use on each contract, then convert it to dollars. A 10-point stop on ES is $500. A 40-point stop on NQ is $800. A $0.30 stop on CL is $300.
Why micros matter
Micro contracts are one-tenth the size of their full-size versions. They let you risk less per trade and adjust size in smaller steps. If $500 per ES stop is too much for your account, ten MES give the same exposure but you can trade just two or three of them.
Costs per tick
Commissions and exchange fees are charged per contract, not per dollar of exposure. That makes them a bigger share of each tick on micros.
Worked example: costs on MES vs ES
Assume an all-in cost of $1.00 per contract per side (a round turn of $2.00). This is an assumption for illustration; check real rates on our broker comparison.
- On 1 MES, $2.00 is 1.6 ticks ($2.00 ÷ $1.25). The trade must gain almost two ticks just to break even.
- On 1 ES, $2.00 is 0.16 ticks ($2.00 ÷ $12.50).
- Ten MES (same exposure as one ES) cost $20.00 per round turn, ten times as much.
Micros are excellent for learning and for small accounts, but if you scale up, the cost difference becomes meaningful.
Reading a spec sheet
On a CME Group contract spec page, look for: contract unit, minimum price fluctuation (tick size and value), trading hours, listed contracts (which months trade), settlement method and termination of trading. Each of our contract pages, such as ES and CL, links to the CME spec page it was checked against.
Run your own numbers with the tick value calculator and the profit and loss calculator.
Next lesson
Now that you know what each move is worth, the next step is understanding how much money you must deposit to hold a position. Continue with Margin and Leverage in Futures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tick and a point?
A tick is the smallest allowed price move. A point is a one-unit move in the price. ES has four ticks per point, YM has one tick per point and RTY has ten.
How much is one tick on ES?
$12.50 per contract. The tick size is 0.25 index points and each point is worth $50.
How much is a $1 move in crude oil?
$1,000 per CL contract and $100 per MCL contract.
Are micro contracts the same as E-minis?
They track the same index and settle the same way, but each micro is one-tenth the size, so every move is worth one-tenth as much.
Do commissions change the tick value?
No. Tick value is set by the exchange. Commissions and fees are a separate cost you subtract from your gross result.
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Educational content only, not investment advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss.