Contract limit — The maximum number of futures contracts a prop account may hold open at once, set per account size and often scaled by phase.
How contract limit works in prop trading
The contract limit is the futures-specific form of the position cap, expressed in contracts rather than dollars. A $50,000 account commonly allows five full-size contracts; a $150,000 account might allow fifteen. Micro contracts usually count at one tenth of a full-size contract, so ten micros equal one E-mini against the cap.
Two details cause most of the confusion. Some firms apply a lower cap during the evaluation than at the funded stage, or vice versa, so the size you passed with is not necessarily the size you may trade afterwards. And a scaling plan may tie the cap to account balance, meaning the number of contracts you may trade changes as your account grows or draws down.
Key points
- Typically scales with account size — roughly one full-size contract per $10,000 of nominal account.
- Micro contracts usually count at one tenth of a full-size contract toward the cap.
- Caps can differ between the evaluation and the funded stage.
- Scaling plans may make the cap a function of the current balance rather than a fixed number.
Example
A $50,000 account with a 5-contract cap permits 5 E-mini S&P contracts, or 50 Micro E-mini contracts, or any combination totalling 5 full-size equivalents.
Also known as
- max contracts
- contract cap
- lot limit
Frequently asked questions
How many contracts can I trade on a $50k prop account?
Commonly five full-size contracts, or fifty micros, though it varies by firm and sometimes by phase. Scaling plans may tie the number to your current balance rather than the account tier.
Do micro contracts count toward the contract limit?
Yes, normally at one tenth of a full-size contract on the same underlying. Ten Micro E-minis consume the same allowance as one E-mini. A small number of firms count micros one-for-one, which is far more restrictive — check before assuming.
Put this into practice
Contract limit is described here as a plain-language educational definition. Firms, platforms, and account programs may apply different conditions or calculations. Verify the current official terms before using this definition to make an account decision.