Futures Take Profit & Stop Loss Calculator in Ticks, Points and Dollars
Defining exact TP and SL levels in ticks, price, and dollars before entry is the discipline that separates profitable futures traders from everyone else. Enter entry price, direction, and stop/target ticks for any CME contract to instantly get exact stop price, target price, dollar risk, dollar reward, and R:R ratio. Verify the full trade plan before you click Buy or Sell — not after.
Updated · Reviewed by Foysal Mostafa
Results
R:R Ratio
2.00:1
Dollar Risk
$125.00
Dollar Reward
$250.00
Stop Loss Price
4,997.50
Take Profit Price
5,005.00
Min Win Rate
33.3%
Why Use the Futures TP/SL Calculator?
Defining your exact stop loss and take-profit levels in ticks, price, and dollars before entering any futures trade is non-negotiable discipline. This calculator eliminates all the arithmetic instantly — so you can confirm your trade plan in seconds and focus entirely on reading the market and executing precisely.
Formula Used
Stop Price = Entry ± (Stop Ticks × Tick Size) | TP Price = Entry ± (TP Ticks × Tick Size) | R:R = TP Ticks ÷ SL TicksWorked Example
Long 1 MNQ from 18,200. Stop = 30 ticks below = 18,200 − (30 × 0.25) = 18,192.50. TP = 60 ticks above = 18,200 + (60 × 0.25) = 18,215. MNQ tick value = $0.50. Dollar risk = 30 × $0.50 = $15. Dollar reward = 60 × $0.50 = $30. R:R = 2:1. Break-even win rate = 1 ÷ (1+2) × 100 = 33.3% — achievable for most strategies.
How to Use the Futures TP/SL Calculator — Step by Step
- 1
Select your contract and direction
Choose your futures contract (ES, NQ, MES, MNQ, etc.) and whether you are Long (buy) or Short (sell). Direction determines whether TP is above or below entry.
- 2
Enter your entry price
Input the exact price at which you plan to enter the trade.
- 3
Enter stop loss distance in ticks
Enter how many ticks below entry (for long) or above entry (for short) your stop loss will be placed.
- 4
Enter take profit distance in ticks
Enter how many ticks above entry (for long) or below entry (for short) your take profit target will be.
- 5
View exact prices and dollar values
The calculator shows your exact stop loss price, take profit price, dollar risk, dollar reward, and the risk-to-reward ratio. Aim for at least 2:1 reward-to-risk on every trade.
What Your Futures TP/SL Calculator Results Mean
Stop Loss Price
The exact price level for your stop order. For long trades this is below entry; for short trades above entry. Enter this exact price when placing your stop order in your trading platform.
Take Profit Price
The exact price for your profit target. For long trades above entry; for short trades below. Set this in your platform at the same time as your stop to remove emotional decision-making mid-trade.
Dollar Risk and Reward
Your maximum loss (if stop hit) and maximum gain (if target hit) in dollars per the entered number of contracts. Confirm these numbers match your account risk rules before entering.
Futures TP/SL Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How do I convert ticks to price levels in ES futures?
ES tick size = 0.25 points. To convert ticks to price: Price Move = Ticks × 0.25. Example: 8-tick stop on a long from 5,000 entry = 8 × 0.25 = 2 points stop. Stop price = 5,000 − 2 = 4,998. Dollar risk = 8 ticks × $12.50 = $100 per contract.
Q.What is a good risk-to-reward ratio for futures trading?
Professional futures traders target a minimum 2:1 reward-to-risk ratio — risking 1 unit to make 2. Many scalpers use 1:1 but require a win rate above 55% to be profitable. Swing traders often target 3:1 or higher. A 2:1 R:R means you only need a 34% win rate to break even, giving you room for mistakes.
Q.How do I set a stop loss for ES futures trading?
Common ES stop loss approaches: (1) Below/above a key technical level like a support zone or prior swing low/high. (2) A fixed tick stop — 8, 10, or 16 ticks based on your strategy. (3) ATR-based stop — 1–2× the 14-period ATR. Always define your stop BEFORE entering and size contracts so the dollar risk fits your 1–2% risk rule.
Q.How many ticks is a typical stop loss for NQ futures?
NQ is more volatile than ES. Common NQ stop sizes: scalping = 10–20 ticks (2.5–5 points = $50–$100 per contract). Day trading = 20–40 ticks (5–10 points = $100–$200 per contract). Swing trading = 40–100 ticks (10–25 points = $200–$500 per contract). Always match your stop to the chart structure, not a fixed number.
Q.Can I use this calculator for prop firm trading?
Yes. Prop firm traders use TP/SL calculators constantly to ensure trades fit within daily loss limits and drawdown rules. Enter your stop in ticks, see the dollar risk instantly, and confirm it fits your prop firm daily loss limit before placing the trade. Many prop firms require you to risk no more than 1% of the account per trade.
About the Author
Forex Trader & Software Developer · Founder, TradeCalc
Active forex trader since 2019, specializing in risk management and systematic position sizing. Built TradeCalc to replace manual spreadsheets used in live trading. Every calculator is cross-verified against broker platforms before publishing.
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