Futures Margin & Tick Value Calculator
Calculate required initial and maintenance margin, tick size dollar values, and contract PnL for E-mini, Micro, and commodity futures.
Understanding Futures Contracts, Ticks, and Point Values
Futures markets (such as CME E-mini S&P 500 / ES, Micro S&P / MES, or Crude Oil / CL) trade in standardized price increments called "ticks." Knowing the exact dollar value of a single tick per contract is critical for risk management and calculating profit targets.
E-mini vs Micro Futures Contract Specs
For the E-mini S&P 500 (ES), 1 tick = 0.25 index points = $12.50 USD per contract (1 full point = $50.00). For the Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES), 1 tick = 0.25 index points = $1.25 USD per contract (1/10th the size of ES). Micro contracts allow traders with smaller accounts to trade futures with low capital exposure.
How to Use This Futures Calculator
Select futures symbol (ES, NQ, MES, MNQ, CL, GC), enter number of contracts, entry price, and target exit price (or stop loss ticks). The calculator outputs total margin required, tick value ($), point value ($), gross profit/loss, and net PnL after clearing commissions.
Day Session Margin vs Exchange Maintenance Margin
Discount futures brokers offer low intra-day margins (e.g. $500 per ES contract or $50 per MES contract) during active market hours. Holding futures past daily market close (5:00 PM EST) requires full CME exchange maintenance margin ($12,000+ per ES contract).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tick value for E-mini S&P 500 (ES)?
For ES, 1 tick is 0.25 index points, worth exactly $12.50 USD per contract. One full point (4 ticks) equals $50.00 USD.
What is the difference between E-mini and Micro futures?
Micro futures contracts (like MES or MNQ) are exactly 1/10th the size and capital requirement of standard E-mini contracts.
What time do futures day margins reset?
Futures day trading margins apply during normal market hours and reset prior to the daily 5:00 PM EST session break.