Per-Instrument Ratios and Cross Order (NQ to MNQ)
Category: App Pages | Last updated: 2026-11-02 | Reading time: 5 min read
What This Does
Each follower in a copy group has one copy ratio. Per-instrument rules override it for specific instruments, and Cross Order lets the follower trade the micro where the leader trades the mini. Instruments without a rule copy on the leader’s contract at the follower’s normal ratio.
Open the Rules
- Open the Cockpit.
- Find the follower in its copy group.
- In the Size × leader column, click + Set size per instrument on its row. Once rules are saved, the row shows them in short form, for example “NQ ×3, ES ×5 ✎”; click that to change them.
Add a Rule
| Column | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Leader trades | The instrument root, e.g. NQ or ES — not a contract month like NQZ6 |
| Follower trades | Same (default), or the micro/mini partner for Cross Order |
| Size × leader | A whole number from 1 to 100; empty uses the follower’s normal size × leader |
Click + Add instrument for more rows (up to 20), then Save.
Examples
| Rule | Leader order | Follower order |
|---|---|---|
| NQ ×3 | Buy 1 NQ | Buy 3 NQ |
| ES ×5 | Sell 2 ES | Sell 10 ES |
| NQ → MNQ ×10 | Buy 1 NQ | Buy 10 MNQ (same dollar risk) |
| ES → MES (no ratio), copy ratio ×2 | Buy 1 ES | Buy 2 MES |
| No rule for CL, copy ratio ×1 | Buy 1 CL | Buy 1 CL |
Cross Order Pairs
ES ↔ MES, NQ ↔ MNQ, YM ↔ MYM and RTY ↔ M2K. Micro to mini is allowed but multiplies risk ten times, and the setup screen says so. The follower keeps the leader’s contract month (NQZ6 → MNQZ6), so rules keep working after every roll.
Rules That Keep It Safe
- Change rules only while flat. Rules can be changed only while the leader and that follower hold no position. Each copy is sized with the rule in force when it is sent, so changing NQ ×3 to ×5 mid-trade would sell 5 against a 3-lot entry and leave the follower short.
- Sizes come from orders, not positions. Entries, adds and exits are each the leader’s order × the rule’s ratio.
- Protect and Flatten still work. When the leader goes flat in NQ, Protect closes the follower’s NQ — or its MNQ if crossed.
- Leader trading both mini and micro: with NQ → MNQ, a leader’s own MNQ trades also land in the follower’s MNQ position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it say I can’t change rules right now?
The leader or that follower holds a position. Close it (or wait for the trade to end), then change the rule.
Do rules need updating at the contract roll?
No. Rules are per instrument, not per contract month.
Can I cross CL to MCL or GC to MGC?
Not yet. Cross Order is for the equity index pairs. CL, GC and others can have their own ratio but copy on the leader’s contract.
Does Cross Order work with Tradovate and Rithmic?
Yes, for futures followers on either broker.
Read next: Copy NQ as MNQ · Per-instrument copy ratios.
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