# NQ vs MNQ: how many MNQ equal 1 NQ and how to copy NQ to MNQ

> 10 MNQ equal 1 NQ, and 10 MES equal 1 ES. Tick values, how they compare, and how to copy an NQ leader to MNQ followers sized to each prop account.

Last verified: 2026-09-28
Canonical page: https://copilink.com/articles/copy-nq-to-mnq-ninjatrader-drawdown-control
Product: Copilink Standalone and Copilink for NinjaTrader 8
Markdown of: https://copilink.com/articles/copy-nq-to-mnq-ninjatrader-drawdown-control


## Quick facts

- Canonical HTML: https://copilink.com/articles/copy-nq-to-mnq-ninjatrader-drawdown-control
- Last verified: 2026-09-28
- Publisher: Copilink
- Focus: practical, first-party guidance for multi-account futures traders

**10 MNQ equal 1 NQ.** Both track the Nasdaq-100 and move in the same 0.25-point ticks, but an NQ tick is worth $5 and an MNQ tick is $0.50. The same is true for ES and MES: **10 MES equal 1 ES**. That fixed 10-to-1 ratio is what makes micros useful for copying a mini-contract leader to smaller prop accounts.

|  | NQ | MNQ | ES | MES |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Index | Nasdaq-100 | Nasdaq-100 | S&P 500 | S&P 500 |
| Tick size | 0.25 point | 0.25 point | 0.25 point | 0.25 point |
| Tick value | $5.00 | $0.50 | $12.50 | $1.25 |
| Value per point | $20 | $2 | $50 | $5 |
| Micro equivalent | 1 NQ = 10 MNQ |  | 1 ES = 10 MES |  |

Work out any move in dollars with the [futures tick value calculator](https://copilink.com/tools/futures-tick-value-calculator).

## NQ vs MNQ: are they the same?

Same index, same chart, same price and same tick size. Only the size differs: MNQ is one tenth of NQ. A 10-point move is $200 on one NQ and $20 on one MNQ. Because they track the same index, NQ and MNQ move together; their prices can differ by a tick or so for a moment, but not in any meaningful way.

The same applies to **ES vs MES**: a 10-point move is $500 on one ES and $50 on one MES.

## Why copy NQ to MNQ on smaller prop accounts?

- **Finer sizing.** A 25K account may not be able to afford the risk of one NQ, but it can hold a few MNQ.
- **Room under the drawdown.** A 20-tick NQ stop risks $100 per contract. The same stop on MNQ risks $10 per contract, so you can match the follower's risk to its remaining cushion.
- **Contract limits.** Firms cap contracts by account size, and micros often count differently from minis. Check your plan.

## How to copy NQ trades to MNQ followers

With a copier that supports mini-to-micro mapping:

1. **Map the instrument:** leader NQ, follower MNQ (or ES to MES).
2. **Set the ratio** for how much of the leader's size the follower should carry:

| Leader | Ratio | Follower gets | Share of leader's risk |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 NQ | 10 | 10 MNQ | 100% |
| 1 NQ | 5 | 5 MNQ | 50% |
| 1 NQ | 2.5 | 2 MNQ | 20% (rounded down) |
| 2 NQ | 2.5 | 5 MNQ | 25% |
| 1 NQ | 0.5 | nothing sent | Below one contract |

1. **Test** one small simulated order and check the follower's size, stop and target at the broker.

Copilink rounds follower quantities **down** to whole contracts. If the result is below one contract, no order is sent for that follower. Pick ratios that give whole numbers for your usual leader size.

Stops and targets copy at the same price level, because NQ and MNQ quote the same index price.

## Size the follower to its drawdown, not its label

Match the percentage of risk, not the dollars. If a 100K leader trades 2 NQ:

- A 50K follower carries half: **10 MNQ** (ratio 5).
- A 25K follower carries a quarter: **5 MNQ** (ratio 2.5).
- A follower close to its trailing floor should carry less until it recovers.

The [position size calculator](https://copilink.com/tools/futures-position-size-calculator) sizes to remaining drawdown, and the [trailing drawdown guide](https://copilink.com/articles/trailing-drawdown-explained-eod-vs-intraday) explains why the floor matters more than the account size.

## Contract rollover

NQ, MNQ, ES and MES roll quarterly: March, June, September and December. When volume moves to the next contract, make sure both sides of your mapping point at the same new month, then test with one small order. Copying from a new-month leader to an old-month follower is a common rollover mistake.

## Mixing indexes is not the same

Copying NQ to MNQ keeps the same index. Copying NQ to ES or MES is different: the Nasdaq and S&P move by different amounts, so equal dollar-per-tick does not mean equal risk. Keep followers on the same index as the leader.

## FAQ

**How many MNQ is 1 NQ?**
10 MNQ equal 1 NQ in dollar exposure: $2 per point each for MNQ, $20 per point for NQ.

**Is MNQ the same as NQ?**
Same index and price, one tenth of the size. An MNQ tick is $0.50; an NQ tick is $5.

**Do NQ and MNQ move the same?**
Yes. Both follow the Nasdaq-100 with the same tick size, so their charts are effectively identical.

**How many MES is 1 ES?**
10 MES equal 1 ES. An ES tick is $12.50 and an MES tick is $1.25.

**Can a trade copier copy NQ to MNQ?**
Yes, if it supports mini-to-micro mapping. Copilink Standalone and Copilink for NinjaTrader 8 both support NQ to MNQ and ES to MES with a follower ratio.

## Why traders choose Copilink

- Choose a direct Tradovate and Rithmic desktop workflow on Windows or macOS, or stay entirely inside NinjaTrader 8 with the dedicated add-on.
- Manage exact or ratio-based follower sizing, per-account safeguards, and prop-firm-style risk rules from one focused workflow.
- Keep copying local on the trader's machine while cloud sync powers web analytics and journaling.
- Start with a no-card trial and clear plan options for both Standalone and NinjaTrader 8 workflows.

## Sources

- https://copilink.com/articles/copy-nq-to-mnq-ninjatrader-drawdown-control