---
title: "Micro vs Mini Futures - Size and Risk - Get Funded Now"
description: "Micro vs mini futures compared: tick values for ES and MES, NQ and MNQ and more, and what each size risks against a funded account's drawdown."
url: "https://getfundednow.com/futures/micro-vs-mini-futures"
language: "en"
last_modified: "2026-11-09"
publisher: "Get Funded Now (getfundednow.com)"
disclosure: "All trading at Get Funded Now is simulated. 'Funded' means a simulated or virtual account; GFN is not a broker and does not hold client funds."
---

Futures basics

# Micro vs mini futures

Same market, different dollar value per tick. The size you choose decides how far a trade can run against your drawdown.

## Tick values side by side

| Full-size | Tick value | Micro | Tick value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ES - E-mini S&P 500 | $12.50 | MES - Micro E-mini S&P 500 | $1.25 |
| NQ - E-mini Nasdaq-100 | $5 | MNQ - Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 | $0.50 |
| YM - E-mini Dow ($5) | $5 | MYM - Micro E-mini Dow | $0.50 |
| RTY - E-mini Russell 2000 | $5 | M2K - Micro E-mini Russell 2000 | $0.50 |
| CL - Crude Oil (WTI) | $10 | MCL - Micro WTI Crude Oil | $1 |
| GC - Gold | $10 | MGC - Micro Gold | $1 |

## What it means for a $50K account

A $50K account has a 3% maximum drawdown of $1,500. This is how many ticks one contract can move against you before reaching it.

| Contract | Tick value | Ticks of room |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ES | $12.50 | 120 |
| MES | $1.25 | 1,200 |
| NQ | $5 | 300 |
| MNQ | $0.50 | 3,000 |
| YM | $5 | 300 |
| MYM | $0.50 | 3,000 |
| RTY | $5 | 300 |
| M2K | $0.50 | 3,000 |
| CL | $10 | 150 |
| MCL | $1 | 1,500 |
| GC | $10 | 150 |
| MGC | $1 | 1,500 |

## Choosing a size

- Start from the stop your setup needs, then find the size that fits it with the [position size calculator](https://getfundednow.com/futures/tools/futures-position-size-calculator).
- If one full-size contract risks more than your budget, the micro lets you take the same trade at a smaller size.
- Check the contract limit for your account in the [futures rules](https://getfundednow.com/futures/rules).

Contract details: [MES](https://getfundednow.com/futures/contracts/mes-micro-e-mini-sp-500) and [MNQ](https://getfundednow.com/futures/contracts/mnq-micro-e-mini-nasdaq-100).

## Questions

### What is the difference between micro and mini futures?

Size. A micro follows the same market as its full-size contract, usually at one tenth of the value per tick.

### Should a beginner trade micros or minis?

Micros let you trade with a smaller dollar risk per tick, which gives a small drawdown more room for the same stop.

### Do micros and minis move together?

Yes. Both follow the same underlying market, so the price move is effectively the same and only the dollar value changes.

Launching 15 Nov

## Your futures account launches 15 Nov

See the plans now and pick your size. Checkout opens on launch day - or buy any forex challenge today and get the same-size futures account free.

[View futures plans](https://getfundednow.com/futures/challenges) · [Read the futures rules](https://getfundednow.com/futures/rules)

100% profit split

Weekly payouts

No daily loss limit

One-time fee

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Source: https://getfundednow.com/futures/micro-vs-mini-futures
Facts about Get Funded Now in one file: https://getfundednow.com/llms.txt