Learn · Nasdaq futures
NQ vs MNQ: E-mini and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures explained
NQ and MNQ track the same Nasdaq-100 index at different sizes. Here is what changes for point value, tick value and dollar risk. Educational content, not trading advice.
NQ is $20 per Nasdaq-100 index point and MNQ is $2. Both move in 0.25-point ticks, so a tick is worth $5.00 on NQ and $0.50 on MNQ (per CME Group specs for E-mini Nasdaq-100 and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100).
Dollar-risk examples (per contract)
1 tick (0.25 points)
NQ: $5.00 · MNQ: $0.50
10-point move (40 ticks)
NQ: $200 · MNQ: $20
25-point move (100 ticks)
NQ: $500 · MNQ: $50
Ten MNQ = one NQ
Equal dollar exposure per point, with finer sizing on MNQ.
Contract specs side by side
| Feature | NQ (E-mini) | MNQ (Micro E-mini) |
|---|---|---|
| Contract unit | $20 × Nasdaq-100 index | $2 × Nasdaq-100 index |
| Minimum tick | 0.25 index points | 0.25 index points |
| Tick value | $5.00 | $0.50 |
| Globex hours (ET) | Sun 18:00 – Fri 17:00, break 17:00–18:00 | Sun 18:00 – Fri 17:00, break 17:00–18:00 |
| Contract months | Quarterly: Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec | Quarterly: Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec |
| Simulator archive (1-min) | Jun 7, 2010 – Aug 24, 2026 | Jun 4, 2021 – Aug 24, 2026 |
Contract terms per CME Group E-mini and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 specifications. Specs can change; confirm them on CME Group before trading. Archive dates describe this simulator's data, not the contracts' launch dates.
Why it matters for practice
Size by dollars
Write your stop in points or ticks, then convert to dollars for the contract you use.
Rehearse small
MNQ shows the same chart at one tenth of the dollar risk per contract.
Know your sample
MNQ history in the simulator starts in 2021; use NQ for older market regimes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MNQ tick value?
Per CME Group, Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 (MNQ) futures are $2 × the Nasdaq-100 index with a 0.25-point minimum tick, so one tick is $0.50 and one full point is $2.
What is the NQ tick value?
Per CME Group, E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ) futures are $20 × the index with the same 0.25-point tick, so one tick is $5.00 and one full point is $20.
How many MNQ contracts equal one NQ?
Ten. MNQ is one tenth of NQ, so ten MNQ contracts carry the same dollar exposure per point as one NQ contract.
How much is a 10-point stop on NQ vs MNQ?
10 points × $20 = $200 per NQ contract, and 10 points × $2 = $20 per MNQ contract, before commissions and slippage. This is arithmetic, not a suggested stop size.
Do NQ and MNQ trade the same hours?
Yes. Both trade on CME Globex from Sunday 18:00 ET to Friday 17:00 ET with a daily maintenance break from 17:00 to 18:00 ET, per CME Group. Check CME Group for holiday schedules.
How much NQ and MNQ history does the simulator have?
The 1-minute archive covers NQ from June 7, 2010 and MNQ from June 4, 2021, both through August 24, 2026. The free plan covers the latest six months of both; Pro opens the full archive.
Related
Practise NQ and MNQ sizing in replay
The free plan covers the latest six months of NQ and MNQ with no card. Results in a simulator do not predict live results.