Copy NQ as MNQ: Mini-to-Micro Cross Order Copy Trading

Category: Tutorial | Date: 2026-11-02

The Problem Cross Order Solves

A leader trading 1 NQ risks $20 a point. A $25K or $50K evaluation may not be able to hold that, or its contract cap may count minis tightly. Until now every follower had to trade the leader’s own contract. With Cross Order, a follower can trade the micro where the leader trades the mini: the leader buys NQ, the follower buys MNQ.

Which Instruments Can Cross

Leader trades	Follower can trade	Point value (mini / micro)
NQ (E-mini Nasdaq-100)	MNQ	$20 / $2
ES (E-mini S&P 500)	MES	$50 / $5
YM (E-mini Dow)	MYM	$5 / $0.50
RTY (E-mini Russell 2000)	M2K	$50 / $5

The reverse also works (leader trades MNQ, follower trades NQ), but it multiplies the follower’s risk ten times, and the setup screen says so next to the choice.

How Sizing Works With Cross Order

The follower’s ratio applies to the leader’s order size, and the follower trades the crossed contract:

Leader order	Follower rule	Follower order	Dollar risk vs leader
Buy 1 NQ	NQ → MNQ, ×1	Buy 1 MNQ	1/10
Buy 1 NQ	NQ → MNQ, ×5	Buy 5 MNQ	1/2
Buy 1 NQ	NQ → MNQ, ×10	Buy 10 MNQ	Same
Sell 2 ES	ES → MES, ×3	Sell 6 MES	3/10

Exits copy the same way: when the leader sells 1 NQ, a ×5 MNQ follower sells 5 MNQ. When the leader goes flat in NQ, Protect closes the follower’s MNQ.

It Keeps Working After Every Roll

Cross Order rules are set per instrument, not per contract month. The follower keeps the leader’s month: a leader trading NQZ6 makes the follower trade MNQZ6, and after the roll NQH7 becomes MNQH7 with nothing to reset. Some copiers tie the mapping to one contract month, so it has to be redone each quarter.

How to Set It Up

Open the Cockpit and find the follower in its copy group.
In the Size × leader column, click + Set size per instrument on the follower’s row.
Add a row: Leader trades <code>NQ</code>, Follower trades <code>MNQ</code>, and a Size × leader from 1 to 100.
Save. Rules can only be changed while the leader and that follower are flat.

Full walkthrough with examples: Per-instrument rules and Cross Order guide.

Things to Know

Cross Order is for the equity index minis and micros above. Other instruments (CL, GC and so on) can have their own ratio but copy on the leader’s contract.
If the leader trades both NQ and MNQ while the follower crosses NQ to MNQ, both land in the follower’s single MNQ position.
Instruments without a rule copy on the leader’s contract at the follower’s normal ratio.
Check how your prop firm counts micros against its contract cap. Many count 10 micros as 1 mini.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy NQ trades to MNQ on another account?

Yes. Add a per-instrument rule on the follower: Leader trades NQ, Follower trades MNQ, with a ratio from 1 to 100. Each leader NQ order is copied as MNQ × that ratio.

How many MNQ equal one NQ?

Ten. NQ is $20 per point and MNQ is $2 per point, so a ×10 NQ→MNQ rule gives the follower the same dollar risk as the leader.

Does Cross Order work for ES to MES?

Yes. Cross Order works for ES↔MES, NQ↔MNQ, YM↔MYM and RTY↔M2K.

Do I have to update Cross Order when contracts roll?

No. Rules are set per instrument and the follower keeps the leader’s contract month, so NQZ6 → MNQZ6 becomes NQH7 → MNQH7 automatically.

Can I change a Cross Order rule during a trade?

No. Rules can only be changed while the leader and that follower are flat. A change mid-trade would size the exit differently from the entry and could leave the follower holding a position the leader has closed.

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