How to Calculate Pips for SPX/500
SPX/500 traders need to know exactly how much a single pip or tick is worth before entering a trade. Use the calculator at the top of this page to quickly determine pip value by entering the current price, lot size and account currency. This tool is built to be fast, mobile-friendly and accurate.
The calculation uses the instrument's tick size and contract size. For SPX/500, a typical tick size is 1 and a common contract size is 1 units per standard lot. The formula we use: pip value = (tick size ÷ price) × contract size × lot size.
Example: If the price is 1.1000 and you trade 1 standard lot (lot size = 1) with contract size 1, a single pip (1) is worth approximately (pip = (tick/price) * contract * lot) — plug values into the calculator above for exact result. Remember: some brokers list contract size differently — always check instrument specs in your trading platform.
Risk management tip: calculate pip value before you place a trade so you can convert stop-loss pips into a monetary amount and size your position accordingly.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes: using the wrong tick size for JPY pairs, forgetting to convert pip value into your account currency, and assuming contract sizes are identical across brokers.
FAQs
What is a pip for SPX/500?
A pip for SPX/500 is the smallest price move as defined by the instrument's tick size. For SPX/500 that is typically 1.
How do I calculate pip value?
Use the formula: pip value = (tick size ÷ price) × contract size × lot size. Our calculator does this automatically.
Why does pip value differ across brokers?
Brokers may define contract size and tick size differently; check your broker's instrument specification.
Can I use this for risk management?
Yes. Combine pip value with your stop-loss to determine potential monetary loss and size your position.