Getting Started
New to futures trading? Start here. Walk through the basics of futures, price charts, and the NinjaTrader platform.
Getting started with futures trading can feel overwhelming — contracts, tick values, charts, platforms. The good news is that the foundations are simpler than they look. Work through the articles below in order and you’ll have a solid understanding of what futures are, how to read a price chart, and how the NinjaTrader platform works.
What are Futures?
Futures are contracts for cash settlement or physical delivery of goods. Learn what futures contracts are, how they’re backed, and the key terms every trader should know — ticks, tick values, contract size, notional value, and margin requirements.
Read Article →How to Read a Price Chart
Price charts are the foundation of every trading decision. Learn how to read candlesticks, understand price action, and interpret what the chart is telling you about buyers and sellers in the market.
Read Article →NinjaTrader Platform
NinjaTrader is one of the most customizable futures trading platforms in the world. Get to know the desktop, web, and mobile apps and learn why it’s the platform of choice for serious futures traders.
Read Article →What’s Next?
Once you have the basics down, explore our full article library covering trading indicators, trading styles, and practical tips to help you grow as a futures trader.
Browse Articles →Your first steps, in order
- Learn the contract you will trade. Know its tick size, tick value and trading hours before you place an order. For example, one tick on the E-mini S&P 500 (ES) is worth $12.50, and one tick on the Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) is worth $1.25.
- Install NinjaTrader Desktop and use the simulation account. NinjaTrader Desktop is free to download for Windows and includes a simulation account, so you can practice with live prices and no money at risk.
- Practice reading charts. Learn what candlesticks show, where price has reacted before, and how volume changes around those levels.
- Choose one style and one market. Beginners do better with one instrument and one setup than with five of each. Our trading styles guide helps you pick.
- Write a trading plan. Decide your hours, your risk per trade and your daily loss limit before you trade live. See Make a Plan.
- Start live with Micro contracts. Micros are one tenth the size of the E-minis, so mistakes cost a tenth as much while you learn.
Funded accounts and prop firms
Many new futures traders start with a prop firm evaluation instead of their own capital: you pay a fee, trade a simulated account under the firm’s rules, and receive a funded account if you pass. The rules matter more than the profit target. Most firms use a trailing drawdown, a daily loss limit or a consistency rule, and breaking one ends the account. Read our prop firm getting started guide and the list of prop firms that work with NinjaTrader before you buy one.
Mistakes to avoid in your first month
- Trading full-size contracts before you are consistent on Micros.
- Trading without a stop, or moving the stop further away once you are in a losing trade.
- Trading through major economic reports before you know how fast the market can move during them.
- Adding more indicators every time a trade loses. A clean chart and a clear plan beat a crowded chart; see our article on trading psychology.