Trading Tool Hub
Futures Tick Value Calculator
Quick Answer
Tick value is the dollar amount a single contract's profit or loss changes for every minimum price movement (tick). It varies significantly between contracts like ES, NQ, and Crude Oil.
Use this calculator to convert a futures tick move into dollars.
Select a contract, enter the number of ticks and contracts, and the
calculator will estimate the total dollar value.
How the tick value calculator works
A tick is the smallest price movement a futures contract can make.
Each futures contract has its own tick size and tick value.
Total dollar value = ticks × tick value × contracts
Example: NQ has a tick value of $5. If NQ moves 10 ticks and you are
trading 1 contract:
10 ticks × $5 × 1 contract = $50
A tick value calculator is useful for quickly estimating profit, loss,
stop-loss risk, slippage, and trade size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tick value in futures trading?
Tick value is the dollar value of the smallest price movement for a futures contract. It helps traders understand how much money is gained or lost when the market moves by one tick.
How do I convert ticks to dollars?
Multiply the number of ticks by the tick value and then multiply by the number of contracts. For example, if one tick is worth $5 and the trade moves 10 ticks on two contracts, the move is worth $100 before fees.
Why does tick value matter for risk management?
Tick value helps traders estimate profit, loss, stop size, and position risk before entering a trade. Without knowing tick value, it is easy to underestimate how much money is at risk.
Do all futures contracts have the same tick value?
No. Each futures contract has its own tick size and tick value. For example, NQ, MNQ, ES, MES, crude oil, gold, and other contracts all have different dollar values per tick.
What futures contracts have high tick values?
Larger contracts like E-mini futures usually have higher tick values than micro futures. Traders should always confirm the contract specifications before trading.