Side by side
| Spec | MES | MNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Index | S&P 500 | Nasdaq‑100 |
| Tick size | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Tick value | $1.25 | $0.50 |
| Point value | $5 | $2 |
| Its mini (10 micros) | ES | NQ |
| Exchange | CME | CME |
Same dollars, different points
With $50 of risk per trade on 1 micro: a 10-point stop on MES, a 25-point stop on MNQ. The Nasdaq-100 is quoted at a higher level and usually moves more points in a session, so MNQ stops are wider in points, but each point is worth less.
Which one to pick
- Pick the chart you read best. Watch both for a few sessions in your window (market hours) before you choose.
- Then keep it. One market for 90 days: switching resets your sample and your skip list.
- Check your stop in dollars, not in points, before every trade.
Fees count
Commissions are charged per contract, so on a small stop they weigh more in R. Count them in your risk, and check your broker’s or your firm’s rates. The position size calculator turns a stop in points into dollars for both.
Part of the free 90-day gameplan for new prop firm traders. Educational content, not financial advice. Trading futures involves a high risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. The Sweep Setup and the size ladder are learning tools, not recommendations or proven strategies. Buying an evaluation is your own decision. Always check your prop firm’s official rules for your account.