One NQ tick (0.25 index points) is worth $5, and one full point is worth $20. A routine 50-point Nasdaq swing is $1,000 on a single contract, which is half the max loss on many 50K evaluations.
NQ tick value
NQ vs MNQ
| Symbol | Contract | Tick size | Tick value | Point value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NQ | E-mini Nasdaq-100 | 0.25 index points | $5.00 | $20.00 |
| MNQ | Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 | 0.25 index points | $0.50 | $2.00 |
| ES | E-mini S&P 500 | 0.25 index points | $12.50 | $50.00 |
| MES | Micro E-mini S&P 500 | 0.25 index points | $1.25 | $5.00 |
Source: CME Group rulebook NQ, MNQ, ES, MES. Checked October 2026.
If your stop needs more than a few dozen points, micros give you finer control: ten MNQ equal one NQ, but you can trade three or seven instead.
Questions traders ask
How much is 1 point on NQ?
One point on NQ is worth $20 per contract.
What is the NQ tick size?
0.25 index points, worth $5.
Is NQ more volatile than ES?
In dollar terms per contract, NQ usually moves more in a day than ES. Compare recent average daily ranges before choosing; the tick values above turn points into dollars.