Futures options

Tented has a curated list of futures-options roots. Each option’s multiplier is its future’s own point value.

Root	Future	Exchange	One point per option
ES	E-mini S&P 500	CME	$50
NQ	E-mini Nasdaq-100	CME	$20
RTY	E-mini Russell 2000	CME	$50
YM	E-mini Dow	ECBOT	$5
MES	Micro E-mini S&P 500	CME	$5
MNQ	Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100	CME	$2
CL	WTI Crude Oil	NYMEX	$1,000
GC	Gold	COMEX	$100
MGC	Micro Gold	COMEX	$10

Caution

Your IB account needs futures-options trading permission, or IB rejects the order with a “no trading permissions” message. Futures options are not available with thinkorswim.

• Each expiration is measured against its own futures month, which the chain shows as “on GCZ6” beside the price. Different expirations of one root can sit on different months.
• ES, NQ, RTY, YM, MES and MNQ list quarterly contracts. CL, GC and MGC list monthly ones.
• Orders route to the future’s own exchange, not SMART.
• Futures options always use calendar time and keep today’s IV, whatever Settings → Trading says.
• Futures options are limited to these nine roots. Futures outside them, and VIX futures, cannot be opened as an underlying.

If a symbol finds the wrong instrument, see A symbol finds the wrong instrument. If the chain shows no quotes, see A futures option chain shows no quotes.