6A Contract Specs: Tick Size, Tick Value, and Notional Explained
Before you trade 6A AUD/USD futures, you need to know the actual numbers: the tick size, the tick value, and how much notional exposure one contract really controls. If you don’t know these basics, you’re trading blind. This is the blunt breakdown so you don’t screw it up.
The core structure of the 6A AUD/USD futures contract
6A tracks the AUD/USD exchange rate. Every minimum price move—every tick—adjusts your P&L whether you like it or not. The entire contract is built around standardized CME terms, and learning them removes guesswork from your risk.
| Spec | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Underlying | Australian dollar vs U.S. dollar (AUD/USD) |
| Contract Size | 100,000 AUD |
| Price Format | Quoted like spot AUD/USD (0.6500, etc.) |
| Tick Size | 0.0001 |
| Tick Value | $10 per tick |
| Trading Hours | Nearly 24/5 with a daily maintenance window |
| Expiration | Financial settlement |
The tick value is what actually hits your account
A tick is the minimum price increment. On 6A, that increment is 0.0001. Every one of those ticks equals $10 per contract. So a move from 0.6500 to 0.6510 is 10 ticks, or $100. Easy math, but dangerously easy to underestimate when you start stacking contracts.
If you want more context on why small numbers can trigger outsized moves, see the market volatility guide. Volatility combined with leverage is exactly why futures punish sloppy traders.
Notional value: how big the position really is
One 6A contract controls 100,000 AUD. To understand how large that is, multiply it by the current AUD/USD price. If AUD/USD is trading at 0.6500:
100,000 × 0.6500 = $65,000 notional exposure.
That’s why a “tiny” tick matters. You’re basically holding a $65k position that moves every time the exchange rate budges a fraction of a cent.
Why understanding specs keeps you alive
Futures margins vary by broker, but they’re always a fraction of the notional value, which means high leverage by default. Respect that leverage or your account will disappear faster than you expect. For a refresher on how this connects to broader market mechanics, see the market liquidity basics guide.
Know Your Specs or 6A Will Wreck You
Before you trade 6A, memorize the tick size, tick value, and contract size. These numbers determine everything—your risk, your sizing, your breakeven, and your margin pressure.