6C Tick Size and Tick Value Explained for New Futures Traders
If you trade 6C futures, you need to know exactly how much money each tick is worth. No guessing, no “I think it’s around ten bucks.” The tick size and tick value determine your real risk and real reward, and ignoring them is the fastest way to blow out on CAD/USD futures.
The Tick Size on 6C Futures
6C trades in increments of 0.0001. That’s the minimum movement the Canadian Dollar futures contract can make. This tiny change may look small, but when you apply the contract size, the money adds up fast.
The Tick Value on 6C
Every 0.0001 move in 6C equals $10 per contract. Doesn’t matter if you’re long or short—every tick against you is $10 lost, every tick in your favor is $10 made. It’s simple math, but beginners underestimate how quickly 10–20 ticks can hit them.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Tick | 0.0001 |
| Tick Value | $10 |
| Contract Size | 100,000 CAD |
| Symbol | 6C |
How Tick Moves Translate Into Real P&L
Here’s the part traders screw up: they don’t visualize the real cost of a trade. If you take a 25-tick stop, that’s not “a small pullback.” That’s $250 per contract. If you’re up 17 ticks on a winning trade, that’s $170 earned. It’s linear and predictable—use that to your advantage.
Example:
- 10 ticks = $100
- 25 ticks = $250
- 40 ticks = $400
This is why sizing matters. If you’re used to micros like 6J, moving to 6C requires discipline because the tick value jumps dramatically.
Why Tick Value Dictates Your Stop Size
You can’t slap a 30-tick stop on every trade and “hope for the best.” That’s $300 risked per contract, per trade. For a small account or prop evaluation, that’s reckless. Your stop size must match:
- Your account size
- Your evaluation rules (if you’re trading prop firm style)
- The volatility of the current CAD/USD environment
6C moves cleaner than 6J but it still spikes around oil news and U.S. CPI. If CAD is reacting to crude volatility, expect wider ranges and respect the tick cost.
Final Thoughts: Know the Math or Don’t Trade
6C tick value is brutally simple: every tick is $10, and the contract moves enough for mistakes to punish you quickly. If you respect the math, you can size safely and avoid blowing up on one bad CAD/USD swing. If not, 6C will run you over without hesitation.