Prepare to place your first futures trade
There are two order actions in futures trading: a buy order and a sell order. Before placing your first trade, let’s take a look at some of the core fundamentals of how to trade futures including order types, contract specifications, and the use of margin.
Learn MoreLearn to trade futures with confidence
Get started on your path to learn how to trade futures
This free multi-video trading course introduces futures trading basics for new futures traders. It also provides a roadmap for all the key learning points along your journey. Topics include:
- What does it mean to be a trader?
- Types of traders in futures
- Futures trading basics to get started
Build your futures trading foundation using technical analysis
This free multi-video trading course introduces the foundational concepts of technical analysis. Learn how you can visually analyze and anticipate market movements using market prices, volume data and more. Topics include:
- What is technical analysis?
- The basics of chart types
- Tool sets available to determine key chart patterns
Learn how to use NinjaTrader's tools and features to target market opportunity
Our video library highlights steps to get started with the platform basics along with quick tips to customize your NinjaTrader platform to fit your trading style. Topics include how to:
- Create your first chart and use Chart Trader
- Open and use the SuperDOM and understand the ladder display
- Save and load personalized workspaces
See why day traders are adding futures to their trading portfolios
Futures trading offers a robust combination of benefits including a marketplace that provides a level playing field and a variety of diverse markets to trade. See how futures vary from other asset classes including:
- Futures vs stocks
- Futures vs forex and CFDs
- Futures vs cryptocurrencies
Understanding Futures Contracts: A Beginner’s Guide
New to futures trading or looking to strengthen your foundation? Our Understanding Futures Contracts blog series breaks down how futures contracts work, the types of orders you can place, and the most popular markets traders follow—helping you build confidence as you explore futures trading.
Global Futures Markets At Your Fingertips
Futures products span the globe across index futures, currency futures, and leading commodities. Explore the various futures contracts available to trade nearly around the clock including:
Learn how to trade futures with industry pros
Join veteran futures trader Anthony Crudele, Senior Economist Tracy Shuchart, and Senior Market Strategist Jim Cagnina as they bridge macro insights with technical precision to uncover trading opportunities in real time.
Get expert analysis, live trade execution, and actionable insights—all in one place. Find your futures trading edge by tuning in to NinjaTrader Live.
Join us weekdays: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm ET | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm ET (no livestream Friday afternoons) Sundays: 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm ET
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Get unlimited simulated trading
Once you open your account, you can sharpen your trading skills in our FREE futures trading simulation. Equipped with professional market data, our trading simulator will empower you to join the live futures market with confidence.
- No minimum* funding requirement to open your account
- FREE platform included - no platform fees
- Sim trade risk-free until you're ready for live trading
*ACH and debit card transfers are subject to a $5.00 minimum.