Learn · Gold futures
GC vs MGC: gold and micro gold futures explained
The two COMEX gold contracts trade the same market at different sizes. Here is what changes for tick value and dollar risk. Educational content, not trading advice.
GC is 100 troy ounces and MGC is 10. Both move in $0.10 ticks, so a tick is worth $10 on GC and $1 on MGC (per CME Group specs for Gold and Micro Gold).
Dollar-risk examples (per contract)
10-tick move ($1.00/oz)
GC: $100 · MGC: $10
20-tick stop ($2.00/oz)
GC: $200 · MGC: $20
50-tick move ($5.00/oz)
GC: $500 · MGC: $50
Ten MGC = one GC
Equal dollar exposure per tick, with finer sizing on MGC.
Contract specs side by side
| Feature | GC (Gold) | MGC (Micro Gold) |
|---|---|---|
| Contract size | 100 troy oz | 10 troy oz |
| Minimum tick | $0.10 per oz | $0.10 per oz |
| Tick value | $10 | $1 |
| Exchange | COMEX (CME Group) | COMEX (CME Group) |
Source: CME Group Gold and Micro Gold contract specifications. Specs can change; confirm them on CME Group before trading.
Why it matters for practice
Size by dollars
Write your stop in ticks, then convert to dollars for the contract you use.
Rehearse small
MGC lets you practise the same chart at one tenth of the dollar risk.
Know your sample
Simulator gold data has available GC sessions from January 2 and MGC sessions from February 24, both through August 24, 2026. Treat results as practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tick value of gold futures?
Per CME Group, Gold (GC) has a minimum tick of $0.10 per troy ounce on a 100-ounce contract, so one tick is $10. Micro Gold (MGC) uses the same $0.10 tick on 10 ounces, so one tick is $1.
How many MGC contracts equal one GC?
Ten. MGC is 10 troy ounces and GC is 100, so ten MGC contracts carry the same dollar exposure per tick as one GC.
How much is a 20-tick stop on GC vs MGC?
20 ticks × $10 = $200 per GC contract, and 20 ticks × $1 = $20 per MGC contract (before commissions and slippage).
Where can I check the official specs?
On the CME Group Gold and Micro Gold contract specification pages. Specs can change, so confirm there before trading.
Related
Practise gold sizing in the simulator
GC and MGC are included with Pro; eligible new accounts can try Pro for $1 for 3 days.