Futures P&L Calculator

Use this futures P&L calculator to estimate tick movement, dollar profit or loss, and contract exposure before entering a futures trade. Choose a contract, enter contracts, entry price, and exit or target price.

Best for

Calculating futures profit, loss, tick movement, and contract risk before placing a trade.

What you get

Ticks moved, tick value, contract P&L, tick size, and a movement risk gauge.

Not for

Ignoring commissions, margin requirements, exchange rules, liquidity, or broker-specific contract specifications.

Formula

P&L = ticks moved x tick value x contracts

Example

Two MNQ contracts moving 40 ticks at $0.50 per tick equals $40 before commissions.

Hexaplan verdict

Futures traders should calculate tick risk before contract size.

Futures P&L formula

Futures P&L = ticks moved x tick value x number of contracts.

Ticks moved are calculated from the price difference divided by the contract tick size. Tick value depends on the futures contract.

Futures P&L example

If MNQ moves 40 ticks and one tick is worth $0.50, one contract changes by $20. With two contracts, the P&L is $40 before commissions, fees, and slippage.

Why tick value matters

Different futures contracts have different tick sizes and tick values. A move that looks small on the chart can represent a very different dollar amount depending on the contract and number of contracts.

How to use this futures calculator

Choose the futures contract.
Enter the number of contracts.
Enter entry price.
Enter exit or target price.
Review ticks moved and dollar P&L.
Check margin, fees, and broker specifications before trading.

Common futures sizing mistakes

Sizing by chart distance without checking tick value.
Trading minis when micros fit the risk better.
Ignoring commissions and exchange fees.
Forgetting intraday margin and liquidation rules.
Holding through high-impact events without reducing risk.

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FAQ

How do I calculate futures P&L?

Divide the price move by the tick size, multiply by tick value, then multiply by the number of contracts.

What is tick value?

Tick value is the dollar value of the minimum price movement for one futures contract.

Can I use this for micro futures?

Yes. Micro contracts such as MES and MNQ are useful when you need more precise risk sizing.

Does this include commissions?

No. The calculator estimates contract P&L before commissions, exchange fees, spreads, and slippage.

Why does contract choice matter?

Each contract has different tick value, volatility, margin, and liquidity. Those differences change real account risk.