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NQ Position Size Calculator (E-mini Nasdaq-100)
Work out how many NQ contracts to trade from your dollar risk and stop: contracts = risk ÷ (stop points × $20), rounded down.
Use MNQ at $2 per point when one NQ is too large for the same stop. Specs are static CME presets; confirm on the exchange before trading.
Last checked:
Calculator
How many NQ contracts should I trade?
Contracts = floor(max cash loss ÷ (stop points × $20)). A $2,000 risk with a 50-point stop is 2 NQ contracts.
What is the NQ point value?
CME E-mini Nasdaq-100 multiplier is 20, so one index point is $20. The listed tick is usually 0.25 points ($5).
NQ vs MNQ: which should I size?
Same stop maths; MNQ is $2 per point (one-tenth of NQ). Smaller risk budgets usually start on MNQ.
Sizing scenarios: NQ E-mini Nasdaq ($2,000 risk)
NQ point value $20. Tick 0.25 index points ($5). Contracts = floor(risk ÷ (stop points × $20)). Updates when you change the contract above.
| Stop (pts) | Ticks | Risk / contract | Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 20 | $100 | 20 |
| 10 | 40 | $200 | 10 |
| 20 | 80 | $400 | 5 |
| 25 | 100 | $500 | 4 |
| 50 | 200 | $1,000 | 2 |
| 100 | 400 | $2,000 | 1 |
The formula
NQ point value = $20 (multiplier 20 × $1 index point) Contracts = floor(max cash loss ÷ (stop points × $20)) Stop below entry = BUY (long). Stop above entry = SELL (short). Same idea as the full futures position size calculator; this page locks the contract to NQ.
Worked example
Max loss $2,000. Stop 50 points away from entry on NQ.
Risk per contract = 50 × $20 = $1,000.
Contracts = floor(2000 ÷ 1000) = 2.
If that feels chunky, MNQ at $2/point would allow floor(2000 ÷ (50 × 2)) = 20 micros for the same cash risk.
Methodology
How it calculates
- Direction from stop vs entry (stop below = BUY / long; stop above = SELL / short).
- Contracts = floor(max loss ÷ risk per contract), with risk per contract from ticks to stop × tick value.
- Preset specs are static reference values; confirm on the exchange before trading.
Formula
NQ point value = $20 (multiplier 20 × $1 index point) Contracts = floor(max cash loss ÷ (stop points × $20)) Stop below entry = BUY (long). Stop above entry = SELL (short). Same idea as the full futures position size calculator; this page locks the contract to NQ.
Assumptions
- No live prices or margin requirements from the broker.
- Max loss and tick value must be in the same currency; we do not FX-convert futures risk.
- Contract presets can change; confirm on CME, ICE or Eurex.
Edge cases
- Contracts are rounded down (floor). Size is 0 if max loss is below risk on one contract.
- Stop equal to entry is invalid.
- Blank price fields are ignored (not treated as zero).
- NQ point value $20; tick usually 0.25 ($5). Same floor sizing as the full futures tool with NQ locked.
Sources
Last checked:
FAQ
What is the NQ point value?
The CME E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ) multiplier is 20, so one index point is worth $20. The listed tick is usually 0.25 index points ($5). Confirm on the CME contract specs page before trading.
NQ vs MNQ: which should I size?
Same maths, different dollars per point. NQ is $20/point; MNQ is $2/point (one-tenth). Prop accounts and smaller risk budgets usually start on MNQ.
Does this use live NQ prices?
No. Enter current, entry and stop yourself. Nothing is fetched from the exchange.
How is buy vs sell decided?
From the stop relative to entry. Stop below entry means a long (BUY). Stop above entry means a short (SELL).
Sources
Rates, rules or specs last checked 1 Nov 2026. Confirm on the official page before you act.
Not financial advice. This calculator is for education only. Double-check results before you make money decisions. Past moves do not predict future ones.