By Marco BösingWhat Are Micro Futures?
Micro Futures — officially called Micro E-mini Futures — are scaled-down versions of the popular E-mini futures contracts. Launched in 2019 by the CME Group, they represent one-tenth the contract size of an E-mini.
This makes futures trading accessible to traders with smaller accounts, without sacrificing the advantages of a regulated, centralized exchange.
The Most Popular Micro Futures
| Contract | Symbol | Tick Size | Tick Value | Approx. Contract Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro E-mini S&P 500 | MES | 0.25 | $1.25 | ~$27,000 |
| Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 | MNQ | 0.25 | $0.50 | ~$20,000 |
| Micro E-mini Dow Jones | MYM | 1.00 | $0.50 | ~$21,000 |
| Micro E-mini Russell 2000 | M2K | 0.10 | $0.50 | ~$10,000 |
Advantages of Micro Futures
- Lower margin — Significantly reduced capital requirements compared to E-minis
- Precise position sizing — Finer scaling for entries and exits
- Real exchange data — Identical market depth and order flow as full-size contracts
- Ideal starting point — Perfect for learning and testing strategies with real money
For a detailed comparison and practical tips, see our guide to Micro Futures trading.