LoggingTradesNQ contract specs
| Contract | E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ) |
|---|---|
| Exchange | CME (CME Group) |
| Contract size | $20 × Nasdaq-100 index |
| Tick size | 0.25 |
| Tick value | $5 |
| Point value | $20 |
| Typical session | Sunday–Friday, 6:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. CT) on CME Globex, with a daily break from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. Holiday hours differ. |
Specs as listed by CME Group; confirm with your broker. Margin requirements vary by broker and prop firm, so they are not listed here.
NQ tick value in dollars
NQ tracks the Nasdaq-100. The index level is high and moves in large point swings, so a $20 point value adds up quickly; check your stop in dollars before every entry.
Worked example. You buy 1 NQ at 20000 and sell at 20050. The move is 50 price units, which is 200 ticks. At $5 per tick that is $1,000 per contract; trading 2 contracts doubles it to $2,000. A stop the same distance away would cost the same amount, which is why you should convert every stop into dollars before you enter.
Micro vs mini
NQ has a micro counterpart, MNQ (Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100), at one-tenth the size: a tick is $0.50 instead of $5 and a point is $2 instead of $20. Ten micros equal one NQ in dollar exposure, so you can build up to a mini position one contract at a time.
To turn a stop distance into a contract count, use the position size calculator. Inside a prop-firm evaluation, check the result against the drawdown with the prop firm challenge calculator, and read the micro vs mini futures guide.
FAQ
What is the NQ tick value?
One NQ tick is 0.25 and is worth $5 per contract. One full point is $20 per contract.
How many ticks are in a point for NQ?
4 ticks per point, because the minimum price increment is 0.25.
How much do I make or lose on a 200-tick NQ move?
200 ticks × $5 = $1,000 per contract, before commissions and fees. With 3 contracts that is $3,000.
When does NQ trade?
NQ trades on CME Globex Sunday–Friday, 6:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. CT) on CME Globex, with a daily break from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. Holiday hours differ. Confirm current hours with your broker and CME Group.