Futures are leveraged: small price moves create large gains or losses relative to the margin deposited. A Micro E-mini S&P 500 contract moves $5 for every index point; the full E-mini moves $50.
How to use the Futures Contract Calculator
- Which way are you trading?
- Futures contract
- Custom point value
- Entry (buying or selling) price
- Exit price
- Number of contracts
- Commission per contract (round trip)
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Choose the direction and contract, then enter the entry and exit prices and number of contracts.
Tips
- Use annualised volatility and interest rates as decimals per year.
- Remember that one standard option contract usually covers 100 shares.
- Options lose time value as expiry approaches – re-run the numbers as dates change.
- Derivatives can lose more than you expect; understand the maximum loss before trading.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing days and years for time to expiry.
- Ignoring commissions and the bid–ask spread.
- Forgetting dividends when pricing options on dividend-paying stocks.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Which way are you trading? | Choose one: Long (buy first), Short (sell first) |
| Futures contract | Choose one: Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) – $5/point, E-mini S&P 500 (ES) – $50/point, Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 (MNQ) – $2/point, E-mini Nasdaq-100 (NQ) – $20/point … |
| Custom point value | Amount in your currency |
| Entry (buying or selling) price | A number |
| Exit price | A number |
| Number of contracts | A number |
| Commission per contract (round trip) | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Points gained or lost = [Which way are you trading?]×([Exit price] – [Entry (buying or selling) price])
- Profit or loss = [Points gained or lost]×[Point value used]×[Number of contracts] – [Commission per contract (round trip)]×[Number of contracts]
Example values
How the main result changes when Custom point value changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Custom point value | Profit or loss |
|---|---|
| 5 | 496 |
| 7.5 | 496 |
| 10 | 496 |
| 12.5 | 496 |
| 15 | 496 |
| 20 | 496 |
Formula
Points gained = (exit − entry) for a long, (entry − exit) for a shortP/L = points × point value × contractsPoint value = tick value × ticks per pointWorked example
Inputs — Which way are you trading?: Long (buy first); Futures contract: Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) – $5/point; Custom point value: $10; Entry (buying or selling) price: 5,800; Exit price: 5,850; Number of contracts: 2; Commission per contract (round trip): $2.
Results — Points gained or lost = 50; Point value used = $5.00; Profit or loss = $496.00.
Frequently asked questions
How is futures profit calculated?
Price change in points × point value × number of contracts.
What is a tick?
The minimum price move; its dollar value is the tick value.
Can I lose more than my margin?
Yes – futures losses can exceed the initial margin.
What formula does the Futures Contract Calculator use?
Points gained = (exit − entry) for a long, (entry − exit) for a short.