Risk Warning: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Leveraged products can result in losses exceeding your deposit. This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Futures Tick Value Calculator
Calculate the dollar value of any number of ticks for any futures contract. Enter tick size, tick value, ticks moved, and contracts — use the reference table below for ES, NQ, CL, and GC specs.
Formula
Contract specifications reference
| Symbol | Contract | Exchange | Tick Size | Tick Value | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES | E-mini S&P 500 | CME | 0.25 pts | $12.50 | $50/pt |
| NQ | E-mini Nasdaq-100 | CME | 0.25 pts | $5.00 | $20/pt |
| CL | WTI Crude Oil | NYMEX | $0.01/bbl | $10.00 | 1,000 bbl |
| GC | Gold | COMEX | $0.10/oz | $10.00 | 100 oz |
Total Tick Value = Tick Value × Contracts × USD→Account Rate. Verify current specs at cmegroup.com before trading.
Worked Example
Given
ES — tick size 0.25 · tick value $12.50 · 40 ticks (= 10-point move) · 1 contract · USD account
- Price Move
- 40 × 0.25 = 10 index points
- Value Per Tick
- $12.50 × 1 contract × 1.0 = $12.50
- Total Dollar Value
- 40 × $12.50 = $500.00
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a tick in futures trading?
- A tick is the minimum price increment for a futures contract, set by the exchange. The tick value is the dollar profit or loss for one contract when the price moves by one tick. For ES (E-mini S&P 500), the tick size is 0.25 index points, worth $12.50 per contract. Knowing tick value is essential for position sizing and P&L calculation.
- What are the tick values for ES, NQ, CL, and GC?
- Contract specifications (CME/NYMEX/COMEX): ES (E-mini S&P 500) — tick size 0.25 points, tick value $12.50. NQ (E-mini Nasdaq-100) — tick size 0.25 points, tick value $5.00. CL (WTI Crude Oil) — tick size $0.01/barrel, tick value $10.00. GC (Gold) — tick size $0.10/troy oz, tick value $10.00. Always verify current specs at cmegroup.com as they may change.
- What is total tick value?
- Total tick value = Tick Value per contract × Number of Contracts × USD→Account Rate. This shows how much your total position moves per one-tick price change. Holding 5 ES contracts means each 0.25-point move = 5 × $12.50 = $62.50 in P&L.
- Why does the NQ tick value differ from ES despite both being index futures?
- ES and NQ have different contract multipliers: ES has a $50 multiplier (1 index point = $50) while NQ has a $20 multiplier (1 point = $20). With a 0.25-point tick, ES tick value = 0.25 × $50 = $12.50 and NQ tick value = 0.25 × $20 = $5.00. These multipliers are set by the CME and are fixed.