Main future levels on mini, micro and nano futures and CFDs
The main future is the full-size futures contract of an index — for example NQ or FDAX — where most of the volume trades and the reference levels form. Basics and Untested Levels show exactly those levels on the smaller contracts — instead of their own highs and lows, which can differ — and on CFDs, converted with the cash-future difference, so you see the same professional references whatever size you trade. This page explains what that means and why.
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Part of Basics
Free TradingView indicator with all session, week and month levels for index, futures and CFD charts.
Install Basics (free) →Part of Untested Levels
Free TradingView indicator that marks earlier closes, opens and gaps the market has not traded back to — on index, futures and CFD charts.
Install Untested Levels (free) →What the main future is
Every major index has one full-size futures contract where most of the volume trades — the main future. Next to it, the exchanges list smaller contracts on the same index, with a smaller value per point. They track the main future closely, but each has its own order book.
| Market | Main future | Mini | Micro | Nano |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasdaq-100 | NQ$20 per point | — | MNQ$2 per point | NNQ$0.20 per point |
| S&P 500 | ES$50 per point | — | MES$5 per point | NES$0.50 per point |
| Dow | YM$5 per point | — | MYM$0.50 per point | NDOW$0.05 per point |
| Russell 2000 | RTY$50 per point | — | M2K$5 per point | N2K$0.50 per point |
| DAX | FDAX€25 per point | FDXM€5 per point | FDXS€1 per point | — |
| FTSE 100 | Z£10 per point | — | — | — |
| AEX | FTI€200 per point | MFA€20 per point | — | — |
Officially, NQ, ES, YM and RTY are the E-mini contracts of CME Group (YM trades on its CBOT exchange) — the old full-size contracts barely trade any more, so the E-minis are the main futures. With the S&P 500 around 7,750, one ES contract moves $50 per point — about $387,500 of S&P 500 exposure. One MES moves $5 per point: a tenth of that.
Why the levels come from the main future
- That is where the market sets its prices. The large participants trade the main future. Its opening prices, highs, lows and closing prices are the prices the market agreed on — the smaller contracts follow them.
- Smaller contracts can spike. A micro has far less volume, so in a fast move or a quiet hour it can print a high or a low the main future never reached. A level from such a spike is noise; the main future's levels are where the market actually traded. With them, a trader on MES sees exactly the same line as a trader on ES.
- Longer, cleaner history. The main futures have traded for decades with deep order books. Several smaller contracts are much younger, which matters for weekly and monthly levels and moving averages.
The same professional levels, whatever size you trade
The main future gives the best references — but not every trader has the account size to trade it. One NQ or FDAX contract is a large position. That is exactly why Basics and Untested Levels show the main future's levels on the smaller contracts as well — on MYM or FDXS, for example, you see the same references as the professionals on the main future, at the right price.
On a CFD
A CFD such as US500 or NAS100 follows the index itself, not the future. Basics and Untested Levels therefore show the index levels on a CFD as they are, and convert the future levels with the cash-future difference, so a future level lands at the right price on the CFD chart too.
Contract months and rolls
- Specific contracts. When you open a specific contract (for example MESZ2026 from a broker position), Basics and Untested Levels use the continuous main future for their levels. On a contract that is not the front month, the future levels sit a calendar spread away from the candles.
- Around the quarterly roll the future levels on mini, micro and nano charts can briefly be off while the contracts switch. For the cleanest view in a roll week, watch the main future.
- Back-adjusted charts. B-ADJ on or off is your choice: it only moves the older candles, not the levels.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Basics and Untested Levels show ES levels on my MES chart?
Because the reference levels form where most of the volume trades: on the main future. MES tracks ES closely, but its own highs and lows can differ — for example through a short spike in the thinner contract. The ES levels are where the market actually traded, so those are the levels that matter for MES too, and you see the same lines as traders on the big contract.
Is the price of MES the same as ES?
Almost, but not exactly. MES trades at the same price level as ES, with a tenth of the value per point, so no conversion is needed. But it has its own order book: in fast moves or quiet hours its high, low or opening price can differ from ES. That is why Basics and Untested Levels draw the levels of ES itself on the MES chart.
Which lines use the main future?
All lines marked future, plus the pre-market range, VWAP, the daily ATR range and the midpoint of the daily range. On a micro chart RTH O also uses the main future's price. Lines marked index come from the index itself. The overview of all elements shows what each one is based on.
What about CFDs?
A CFD follows the index, not the future. Basics and Untested Levels show index levels on a CFD as they are and convert future levels with the cash-future difference, so they land at the right price on the CFD chart.
Do I need a real-time futures subscription?
No. Basics and Untested Levels work with TradingView's free data. Without a real-time subscription, the Basics lines that follow the main future live — VWAP, MDR, the pre-market range, the daily ATR range — update 10–15 minutes late; all other lines are not affected.
See the main future's levels on your own chart
Basics and Untested Levels are free on TradingView. Add them to a smaller contract — for example MES or FDXM — or to a CFD, and the main future's levels appear at the right price, without any setup.