Does this check my margin requirement?

No. This tool only calculates risk-based position size from your stop distance and tick value. Use the futures day-trading margin calculator separately to confirm your account can actually support the contract count returned here.

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How many futures contracts can I trade if I only want to risk a set dollar amount, based on tick value?

Q: How many futures contracts can I trade if I only want to risk a set dollar amount, based on tick value?

Pick your contract (or enter a custom tick value), enter your stop-loss distance in ticks and your dollar risk. The calculator multiplies ticks by tick value to get risk per contract, then divides your dollar risk by that figure, rounded down to a whole contract.

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Enter Your Trade

Risk method

Dollar amount Percent of account

Account size ($)

Dollar risk for this trade ($)

Stop-loss distance (ticks)

Contract

Custom tick value ($ per contract, per tick)

Your Result

Fill in the fields on the left and click Calculate to see the maximum contracts for this stop distance.

How this is calculated

Risk per contract equals your stop distance in ticks multiplied by the contract's tick value. Maximum contracts equals your dollar risk divided by that figure, rounded down to a whole contract.
The listed tick values are standard exchange specifications for full-size and micro contracts. Contract specifications are set by the exchange and can change, so confirm the current spec with your broker or the exchange before trading.
This tool calculates risk-based position size only. It does not check margin requirements, use the futures day-trading margin calculator alongside this one to confirm you can actually afford the contract count it returns.
A tick is the minimum price increment for a contract. Tick value is the dollar amount that one tick is worth per contract, which varies by market.

Risk & liability disclaimer: This calculator performs simple arithmetic on the numbers you enter. Listed tick values reflect standard exchange contract specifications as commonly published and can change; always verify current specifications with the exchange or your broker before trading. It is not financial advice and does not check margin requirements or account buying power. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. Trading Habits is not a broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, or tax professional, and is not affiliated with any broker, exchange, or data provider.

How many futures contracts can I trade if I only want to risk a set dollar amount, based on tick value?

Enter Your Trade

Your Result

How this is calculated

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