Futures Prop Firm Max Position Size: Contract Caps, Defined

Max Position Size: The Contract-Count Cap

By PropTrader1 2 min read Published October 28, 2026

Affiliate Disclosure: FYI - this site contains affiliate links to services I think may suit you. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some offers include discounts I have negotiated specifically for you.

Keep up to 90% of your profits. Start from €79.

Rewards up to 90% — the 1-Step pays from day one.
2-Step fee refunded in full with your first reward.
$650M+ paid to 4.5M+ traders — the 11-year standard.

Get the latest discount (affiliate link)

A position size limit at a futures prop firm is a cap on how many contracts you may hold at once, set by account size. The standard ladder is 5/10/15 minis at 50K/100K/150K - with micros counting at a 10:1 ratio, so 50/100/150 micros (Topstep's published table, checked 28 October 2026). FTMO Futures uses the same 5/10/15 mini structure on both Growth and Pro.

Two details matter. First, the ratio: micros counting 10:1 means a micro-heavy trader hits the cap sooner than the "150 micros" headline suggests if minis and micros mix in one position. Second, scaling: caps are per the evaluation and funded stages alike, rising only as account size rises - the cap is a property of the account, not of your progress within it.

Why it matters: the cap interacts with the daily loss limit to define your real granularity. Five minis with a $1,000 hard daily stop means roughly 10 ticks of adverse movement on a full position - strategy and cap must fit together. The rules in full: max position size rules; the category: futures hub.

Contract specifications for the products these firms evaluate are published by CME Group.

Part of the futures cluster and the full prop firm glossary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a 50% drawdown harder to recover than a 10% one?

A 50% drawdown requires a 100% gain to recover, while a 10% drawdown only needs 11.1%. Recovery math is exponential. At 30% drawdown you need 42.9% to break even. This is why prop firms cap drawdown at 10-12% rather than higher percentages.

What is the 3-5-7 rule in forex?

The 3-5-7 rule suggests risking 1-3% per trade, keeping total open risk at 5% or less, and limiting single market exposure to 7%. It is a general risk guideline, not a prop firm rule, but following it naturally keeps you within most max drawdown limits.

What is a good maximum drawdown?

For prop firm trading, keeping your actual drawdown under 5% is excellent. Most firms allow 10-12%, but staying well below the limit demonstrates strong risk management and gives you a buffer for unexpected market events.

Is maximum drawdown calculated on balance or equity?

It depends on the firm and drawdown type. Static drawdown is typically calculated on starting balance. Trailing drawdown follows your highest equity. Some firms include floating losses in their calculation, making equity the relevant measure.

What happens when you breach maximum drawdown?

Breaching maximum drawdown results in immediate and permanent account closure. All positions are closed automatically, the challenge is terminated, and there is no refund or appeal. It is the final rule with no second chances.

What is the difference between daily drawdown and maximum drawdown?

Daily drawdown resets every day and limits your loss within a single session. Maximum drawdown is cumulative across the entire challenge or funded period. You can breach max drawdown through many small daily losses that accumulate over time.