MNQ vs NQ: Which Contract Should a Beginner Trade?
NQ and MNQ track exactly the same thing: the Nasdaq 100 index. The chart is identical. The only real difference is how much money each point is worth.
The numbers
| NQ (E-mini) | MNQ (Micro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Value per point | $20 | $2 |
| Value per tick (0.25 points) | $5 | $0.50 |
| Size compared with NQ | Full size | One tenth |
A 50 point move on NQ is $1,000 per contract. The same move on MNQ is $100 per contract.
Why beginners should start on Micros
1. You can size precisely. With MNQ you can risk $100, $150 or $300 by adjusting the number of contracts. With NQ, one contract with a 25 point stop is already $500 of risk.
2. Mistakes cost less. You will make mistakes while learning. On Micros they are small mistakes.
3. Scaling out works. Taking profit at several targets needs more than one contract. Three or more Micros let you scale out at TP1, TP2 and TP3 without huge risk.
4. Prop firms allow it. Most futures prop firms let you trade Micros, and many traders pass evaluations on them.
When NQ makes sense
Once you are consistent and your account is large enough that one NQ contract fits your risk plan, moving up can reduce commissions per dollar traded. Ten MNQ and one NQ have the same exposure, but one NQ is usually cheaper to trade.
What we use in the mentorship
We teach on MNQ. Members size their trades by risk per trade, not by a fixed number of contracts, so everyone can follow the same rules whatever their account size. For a real example, see what $100 risk per trade looked like over twelve months.
See the Wave Rider results sized by risk
Trading futures carries a substantial risk of loss. Education only, not financial advice.
Want to learn this with a mentor?
Join the Wave Rider Mentorship: live NQ sessions, a simple playbook, prop firm training and the Wave Rider indicator included.
Join the mentorship → See the 12 month resultsCharting and analysis only — nothing here is financial advice. Trading involves substantial risk of loss.