Want to trade futures but worried your account is too small? Micro E-mini contracts were created exactly for you. At 1/10th the size of standard E-mini contracts, they let you access the same markets — S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, Dow Jones, and Russell 2000 — with a fraction of the capital. Here's everything you need to know.
What Are Micro E-Mini Futures?
Micro E-mini futures are smaller versions of the popular E-mini index futures contracts. Launched by the CME Group in 2019, they've quickly become some of the most actively traded contracts in the world. The four available contracts are:
- Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) — $5 per point (vs. $50 for ES)
- Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) — $2 per point (vs. $20 for NQ)
- Micro E-mini Dow Jones (MYM) — $0.50 per point (vs. $5 for YM)
- Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) — $5 per point (vs. $50 for RTY)
Every aspect is identical to the full-size contract — same trading hours, same price movement, same order types — just at 1/10th the dollar value per tick.
Margin Requirements
Because the contract size is smaller, margin requirements are proportionally lower. Typical day-trading margins for micro contracts:
- MES — $50–$500 depending on your broker
- MNQ — $50–$500
- MYM — $50–$400
- M2K — $50–$400
This means you can start trading real futures with as little as $500–$2,000 in your account. For a deeper explanation of how margin works, see our futures margin explained guide.
Why Micros Are Perfect for Beginners
Micro E-minis solve the three biggest problems new futures traders face:
- Capital barrier — You don't need $10,000+ to start. A few hundred dollars gets you in the game.
- Risk management — Losses are 1/10th the size. A 10-point stop on MES costs $50 instead of $500 on ES.
- Psychological pressure — Trading smaller sizes reduces the emotional weight of each trade, helping you learn without fear.
Think of micros as "training wheels" for futures trading — you get the real market experience without the full-size risk.
Scaling Up From Micros to Minis
One of the best strategies is to start with micro contracts, develop consistency, and then gradually scale into E-mini contracts as your account grows. The transition is seamless because the markets move identically — only the contract multiplier changes.
A common progression: 1 MES → 3 MES → 5 MES → 1 ES. Each step increases your exposure while keeping risk proportional to your account size.
Automating Micro E-Mini Trading
Everything that works on E-mini contracts works on micros. Automated strategies, NinjaTrader integration, risk management — it all translates directly. HEXGO's bots support both micro and standard contracts, so you can start small and scale up when you're ready.
Ready to trade futures with a small account? Start your free trial and run HEXGO's algorithms on micro contracts in simulation mode. No minimum account size, no risk.
