How to Trade Futures on Robinhood (2025) – Step-by-Step Guide + 80% Prop Firm Discount
Learn how to trade futures on Robinhood with this complete tutorial for beginners and day traders. Plus, get an exclusive 80% OFF Apex Trader Funding evaluation discount today!

Introduction – Why Futures Trading on Robinhood is a Game-Changer

For years, futures trading has been the domain of specialized brokers with complex platforms and high margin requirements. But now, Robinhood has officially introduced futures trading, giving retail traders the opportunity to trade instruments like the S&P 500 E-minis, NASDAQ contracts, crude oil, gold, and more — all within the same account they use for stocks and options.

This new feature simplifies access for traders, especially beginners and those looking for cheap futures prop firm evaluations. It’s also an excellent stepping stone before moving to the best prop trading firms for beginners.

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How to Get Approved for Futures Trading on Robinhood

Trading futures on Robinhood is straightforward, but you must first be approved. Here’s the process:

  1. Search “Futures Trading” in the Robinhood app or desktop platform.
  2. Click on the Futures option.
  3. If you’re not yet approved, you’ll see an Apply for Futures Trading button.
  4. Complete the required steps — including answering experience and risk tolerance questions.
  5. Once approved, you’ll have access to the 36 futures products Robinhood currently offers, grouped into:
    • Stock Index Futures (e.g., S&P 500, NASDAQ, Russell 2000)
    • Currency Futures
    • Crypto Futures
    • Energy Futures
    • Metals Futures

Account Requirements and Margins on Robinhood Futures

While Robinhood requires a minimum account balance of $1,000 to trade futures, this is just the starting point. Futures trading also involves maintenance margin requirements, typically based on CME Group rates.

  • The cheapest contract to trade is the Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K).
  • S&P 500 E-minis (ES) and NASDAQ E-minis (NQ) require more capital to meet margin requirements.
  • Buying Power for Futures can be found in your Robinhood account under “Buying Power” → “Futures Buying Power.”
  • Margin investing becomes available with $2,000+ in your account, allowing for larger position sizing — but comes with interest fees.

Futures Trading Costs on Robinhood

One reason Robinhood’s futures launch is so appealing is competitive pricing:

  • Non-Gold Customers: $0.75 per contract per side
  • Robinhood Gold Members: $0.50 per contract per side
  • Regulatory Fee: $0.02
  • Exchange Fee: Varies by product
  • Cash Settlement Fee: If holding through expiration (varies by symbol)

📌 Tip: Robinhood Gold costs $5/month and can save active futures traders hundreds annually in commissions.

Trading Hours for Robinhood Futures

Futures trade 23 hours a day, 5 days a week, with a one-hour daily maintenance break:

  • Weekdays: Closes at 5 PM ET, reopens at 6 PM ET.
  • Weekends: Closes Friday at 5 PM ET, reopens Sunday at 6 PM ET.

This gives traders more flexibility than the stock market and allows for global market event participation.

Step-by-Step: How to Place a Futures Trade on Robinhood

Example: Trading the Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K)

  1. Search for the Contract – In the search bar, type “Micro Russell” or the ticker symbol (e.g., M2K).
  2. Select the Expiration Month – Contracts are labeled with expiration dates (e.g., March 2025, June 2025).
  3. Review Contract Details:
    • Margin Requirement (e.g., $883 per contract for M2K)
    • Trading Hours
    • Tick Size (e.g., $0.50 per tick)
    • Multiplier (value per point move)
  4. Choose Order Type:
    • Market Order – Enter immediately at current price
    • Limit Order – Enter at a specific price
    • Stop Order – Trigger trade at a set level
  5. Review Fees – Commission + exchange fees are displayed before confirming.
  6. Place the Order – Click “Review Order” → “Submit.”

📌 Robinhood automatically closes your position when you sell the same contract — no risk of accidentally hedging yourself like on some other brokers.

Mobile App Features – Trading from Anywhere

Robinhood’s mobile app offers:

  • Price Ladder Trading for quick limit order placement.
  • “Exit and Cancel All” button to instantly flatten positions and cancel orders.
  • Pending Orders Tab for active orders.
  • Daily P&L Display to track performance in real-time.

Why Futures on Robinhood Could Be Perfect for New Day Traders

For traders looking for the best prop trading firms for beginners, Robinhood’s futures feature offers:

  • No PDT Rule – Day trade as often as you like without restrictions.
  • 60/40 Tax Treatment – 60% of profits taxed at long-term capital gains, 40% at short-term.
  • All-in-One Account – No need to open a separate futures account.
  • Low Commission Structure – Especially with Robinhood Gold.

Combine this with prop trading evaluation discounts like the Apex Trader Funding 80% off deal, and a new trader can practice on Robinhood while working toward prop firm funding.

Final Thoughts – The Future of Retail Futures Trading

Robinhood’s futures rollout is still in its early stages, but it already offers a user-friendly way for traders to access global markets without switching platforms.

For those serious about trading futures — especially cheap futures prop firm evaluations seekers — this is a golden time to practice, learn, and scale up with funded accounts.

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