How much money do I need to start trading futures?
There is no single legal minimum. Each broker sets its own minimum deposit, and the exchange sets the margin for each contract. A better way to find your number is to start from risk. If you risk 1 percent of your account per trade and your plan uses a 10-point stop on one Micro Nasdaq 100 (MNQ) contract, that trade risks $20, so you need about $2,000 to keep it at 1 percent.
Why is margin not the answer?
Margin is a good-faith deposit to open a trade. It is not the most you can lose, and it does not tell you how much you need to trade safely.
Futures 101, Lesson 2, explains margin and leverage.
How do I work out my own number?
Use this formula: account needed = (stop in points x dollars per point x contracts) / your risk percent.
| Contract | Dollars per point | Risk with a 10-point stop | Account needed at 1 percent risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| MNQ Micro Nasdaq 100 | $2 | $20 | $2,000 |
| MES Micro S&P 500 | $5 | $50 | $5,000 |
| NQ E-mini Nasdaq 100 | $20 | $200 | $20,000 |
| ES E-mini S&P 500 | $50 | $500 | $50,000 |
The 10-point stop is a made-up example. Your stop comes from your plan, and a wider stop needs a bigger account for the same contract.
Is it smart to start with a small account?
Start on a simulator first. When you trade real money, use only money you can afford to lose, and trade one micro contract until your journal shows you follow your plan.
The free Position Size Calculator does the math for you.
What about a prop firm account?
A prop firm evaluation costs a fee instead of a deposit. But a $50,000 evaluation with a $2,000 loss limit acts like a $2,000 account. Size for the loss limit, not the account size.
See Prop Firms 101 and How does a trailing drawdown work?
Common mistakes
- Sizing by margin instead of by your stop.
- Trading the E-mini on a small account. One NQ point is ten times one MNQ point.
- Using money you need for rent or bills.
Sources
- CME course: Margin, know what is needed
- CME Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 contract specs
- CME Micro E-mini S&P 500 contract specs
- CME Micro futures
Last reviewed: 2026-10-16
Read next
- Futures 101, Lesson 5: Risk per trade with micros
- Futures vs stocks for small accounts
- All futures questions, answered
Not sure what to fix first?
Take the free trader quiz. It has 13 questions, takes about 3 minutes, and shows which part of your trading process to work on first: risk, edge, execution or review.
Mahalo for reading and trade well!
Glenn & Reid | Hawaiʻi Trading Academy
Risk disclaimer: Education only. Not financial advice. Trading futures involves substantial risk of loss. Futures are not suitable for every investor, and you can lose more than your initial deposit. Examples on this page use made-up numbers to teach the math. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Hawaiʻi Trading Academy provides education only. We are not financial advisors, and nothing on this page is a recommendation to buy or sell any financial product. HTA is not affiliated with CME Group or any exchange or agency named here. Times, rules and dates can change; check the source before you trade.
