How much is one point of NQ worth?
One point of NQ (E-mini Nasdaq-100) is worth $20 per contract. If the price moves 40 points, each contract makes or loses $800.
NQ tick value and point value
E-mini Nasdaq-100. One point is worth $20 per contract and the 0.25 minimum tick $5. CME Group specifications, the same at any broker and prop firm.
- 1 point$20
- 1 tick (0.25)$5
- Ticks per point4
- 1 NQ =10 MNQ
Contracts
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NQ profit and loss per point
| Move | 1 contract | 2 contracts | 3 contracts | 5 contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 points (1 tick) | $5 | $10 | $15 | $25 |
| 1 point | $20 | $40 | $60 | $100 |
| 10 points | $200 | $400 | $600 | $1,000 |
| 20 points | $400 | $800 | $1,200 | $2,000 |
| 40 points | $800 | $1,600 | $2,400 | $4,000 |
| 100 points | $2,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 | $10,000 |
Before commissions. Profit and loss are symmetrical: the same move against you costs the same.
NQ vs MNQ and ES
| Contract | Underlying | 1 point | 1 tick |
|---|---|---|---|
| NQ | E-mini Nasdaq-100 | $20 | $5 |
| MNQ | Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 | $2 | $0.50 |
| ES | E-mini S&P 500 | $50 | $12.50 |
MNQ lets you size risk in steps ten times smaller than NQ: useful with small accounts or wide stops. ES tracks a different index: points are worth a different amount and the indices do not move alike, so compare risk in dollars, not points.
NQ on a 50K funded account
Points of loss one NQ contract can take before each limit. With more contracts, divide by the number of contracts.
| Program | Max loss | Points (1 contract) | Daily limit in points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topstep Trading Combine | $2,000 | 100 | 50 |
| Apex Trader Funding EOD Evaluation | $2,000 | 100 | 50 |
| Apex Trader Funding Intraday Evaluation | $2,000 | 100 | None |
| Lucid Trading LucidFlex / LucidPro / LucidDaily | $2,000 | 100 | 60 |
| Tradeify Growth | $2,000 | 100 | 63 |
| Tradeify Select | $2,000 | 100 | None |
Example: how many NQ on a $50,000 account
With a $50,000 account and 1% risk per trade, you can lose $500 if the stop is hit. With a 20-point stop (80 ticks), each NQ contract risks 20 × $20 = $400. That fits 1 contract, risking $400.
If the market is choppier and the stop needs 40 points, the risk per contract doubles and none fit: the money at stake is still $500, only the size changes. With 2% risk ($1,000) and the 20-point stop, 2 contracts fit. When not even one fits, the MNQ, a tenth of the size, lets you scale down.
How the NQ tick value is calculated
The tick is the smallest price move: 0.25 points on NQ. Its value is the point value times that size: $20 × 0.25 = $5, and one point has 4 ticks. To turn a stop in ticks into money, multiply the ticks by $5; to see how many points a given risk allows, divide the money by $20.
These figures are the contract specifications set by the exchange (CME Group), the same at every broker. What varies from one broker to another is the commission per contract and the margin required to open the position: check both before you trade.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NQ tick value?
The minimum tick is 0.25 points, worth $5 per contract. One point has 4 ticks.
How many MNQ equal one NQ?
Ten. MNQ is the micro of NQ: it tracks the same index at one tenth of the point value ($2 versus $20).
How much do I make on 40 points of NQ?
$800 per contract: 40 points × $20. With 5 contracts, $4,000. Your broker’s commissions come on top.