How Much Do You Need to Trade Futures?

Futures trading used to feel out of reach for the average trader. You might imagine Wall Street pros with deep pockets trading soybeans or S&P contracts in suits and headsets. But today? Thanks to low-cost brokers, micro contracts, and more accessible margin rules, you can start trading futures with as little as a few hundred dollars.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how much money you need to trade futures, which contracts are ideal for small accounts, and what fees to expect using real examples and clear explanations along the way.

What Actually Determines the Cost of Trading Futures?

There’s no single number that defines the cost of trading futures. Instead, your entry costs depend on several factors working together:

1. Margin Requirements

Futures trading is built around the concept of margin: the amount of money you need to open and hold a position. Unlike stocks, you don’t have to pay the full value of the contract upfront. You just need to meet the initial margin, which acts like a security deposit. This number is set by exchanges and can vary depending on market volatility.

2. Contract Size

There are three main categories of futures contracts:

• Full-size contracts: Often used by institutions or high-net-worth traders
• E-mini contracts: Smaller than full-size, but still sizable
  Micro contracts: One-tenth the size of E-minis — designed for retail traders

The smaller the contract, the lower the margin required to trade it.

3. Volatility of the Market

Some contracts (like Gold or Nasdaq 100) have higher margin requirements simply because they’re more volatile or expensive per point. Others (like Micro E-mini S&P 500) are much more accessible for beginners.

4. Your Strategy

A swing trader holding positions overnight may need more margin than a day trader closing before the session ends. And longer-term trades may require more capital to weather market swings.

MetroTrade Futures Margin Requirements

Here’s a breakdown of the intraday margin requirements for some popular contracts on MetroTrade*:

Note*: These margins can change based on market conditions, but they give you a real sense of how accessible futures trading can be, especially with Micro contracts.

Most Popular Futures Contracts for Retail Traders

If you’re just getting started, it’s important to pick contracts that are:

• Accessible

• Liquid (easy to get in and out of)

• Relevant to your market view

Here are five futures contracts that check those boxes for small account traders:

1. Micro E-mini S&P 500 (/MES)

• Tracks the S&P 500 index

• Just $80 margin intraday

• Ideal for learning equity index trading with low risk

2. Micro Nasdaq 100 (/MNQ)

• Offers exposure to tech-heavy Nasdaq stocks

• Requires ~$120 margin intraday

• More volatile than /MES, which means more potential — and more risk

3. Micro Dow Jones (/MYM)

• Represents 30 large-cap stocks in the Dow

• Margin around $75 intraday

• Less volatile than Nasdaq — good for conservative traders

4. Micro Russell 2000 (/M2K)

• Tracks small-cap U.S. stocks

• Low margin, typically ~$75 intraday

• Popular for diversification and different market behavior than S&P

5. Micro Crude Oil (/MCL)

• Exposure to oil markets without huge capital outlay
• Around $290 margin intraday
• Adds commodity exposure to your portfolio

These micro contracts give retail traders a manageable way to test strategies and build experience without putting thousands on the line.

How Much Should You Really Start With?

Technically, you can trade some futures contracts with less than $100. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

The listed margin is just the minimum required to open a position. It doesn’t give you much room to manage risk, ride out volatility, or recover from a losing trade. If the market moves even slightly against you, your position could be liquidated or trigger a margin call.

That’s why most experienced traders recommend starting with more than the minimum.

A more realistic starting point:

• Aim to have at least two to three times the required margin for any trade

• This gives you flexibility to manage open positions and place stop-losses without risking your entire account

• It also helps reduce emotional decision-making by creating space between you and the liquidation line

This doesn’t mean you need tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, you can trade responsibly with as little as $500 to $1,000 if you’re using Micro contracts.

Example: Trading /MES with a $1,000 Account

Let’s say you fund your account with $1,000 and want to trade the Micro E-mini S&P 500 (symbol: /MES). The current intraday margin requirement is $80. Each point of movement is worth $5.

If the index rises 10 points, you make $50. If it falls 10 points, you lose $50.

With $1,000, you can comfortably open the position, manage risk, and still have enough in reserve to avoid getting knocked out by normal market swings. That amount also gives you the flexibility to trade other contracts or place more than one position over time.

Starting with enough capital isn’t about chasing bigger wins. It’s about giving yourself the space to stay in the game, make better decisions, and learn without unnecessary pressure.

Commissions*

Futures trading comes with costs beyond the margin, and those costs can add up over time. One of the biggest advantages of trading with MetroTrade is how low those costs are.

Here’s the commission breakdown for MetroTrade:

A round-trip trade on a Micro contract costs just $0.58 in commission. That means your capital stays focused on trading, not commissions.

There’s also no minimum deposit, no clearing fee, and no platform fee. You only pay when you trade. For small accounts, this matters. 

*Excluding exchange & NFA fees.

Can You Really Trade Futures with a Small Account?

Yes. In fact, that’s exactly what Micro contracts are designed for.

The futures market used to be reserved for institutional traders or high-net-worth individuals. Today, the landscape has changed. Retail traders with a few hundred dollars can now access the same markets, data, and tools used by professionals.

With a small account, you can:

• Trade major markets like the S&P 500, Nasdaq, or crude oil

• Avoid the $25,000 pattern day trading rule that applies to stocks and options

• Get real-time experience in live markets

• Scale your position sizes over time as your skills and account grow

Micro contracts make it possible to manage risk, build strategies, and gain experience without overexposing yourself. They’re not just training wheels. They’re a smart, cost-efficient way to trade.

Just remember, a small account requires discipline. You may not make large profits quickly, but you’ll learn faster and protect your capital as you go.

Final Thoughts: How Much Do You Need to Trade Futures?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s the bottom line.

• You can technically start trading Micro contracts with less than $100

• A more realistic starting balance is $500 to $1,000 to allow for proper risk management

• Your actual costs include the margin, trading fees, and a buffer for volatility

• With MetroTrade, you’ll benefit from low fees, no deposit minimums, and access to the most popular futures markets

If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to rush. You can start small, trade a single contract, and grow your confidence and skill over time. Futures trading doesn’t require a huge bankroll, but it does require a thoughtful approach.

Ready to Get Started?

You can open a live account with no minimum deposit requirement, or practice in a simulated environment until you’re ready. Whether you want to trade Micro contracts or simply explore what futures have to offer, MetroTrade makes it easy to begin.

Open your account or start with a free demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: Margins may vary from the published rates. This content is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a comprehensive overview of all products or margin requirements available on the exchange, and is subject to change at any time. Click here to access the complete list. Additionally, all margins are subject to change without notice due to factors such as events, market volatility, or increased risk. MetroTrade is not responsible for any errors or omissions.