Comparison Guide

ES vs MES Futures: What’s the Difference?

Choosing the right contract size for your account and risk tolerance.

At a Glance: The 10x Difference

The Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) was created to be exactly 1/10th the size of the standard E-mini S&P 500 (ES). This makes it significantly more accessible for retail traders and those with smaller account balances.

Tick Values Compared

• ES Tick Value: $12.50 per 0.25 tick ($50.00 per point)
• MES Tick Value: $1.25 per 0.25 tick ($5.00 per point)

Which One Is Better for Beginners?

For almost every new trader, MES is the better starting point. Because the risk is 10 times lower, you can survive the learning curve without blowing out your account. MES also allows you to "scale" into trades — you can buy 3 MES contracts ($15/point total) to achieve a more precise risk level than 1 ES contract ($50/point).

Calculate Your Potential Results