Why trade futures through Schwab?
- US$2.25 per contract1
- Pay the same commission online or through a broker1
- Specialized futures tools on thinkorswim®
- Extensive research and analysis
Futures and futures options trading is provided by Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC.
Trading with us as your futures broker.
Access award-winning trading platforms and relevant education when you open an account with Schwab. Tap into daily insights, commentary, and coaching to start trading futures contracts with confidence.
Get support for every step of your futures trading journey.
Futures basics
Learn the foundations of futures trading.
Futures markets
From agriculture to financials, learn about the wide variety of futures markets.
Powerful platforms
Explore our suite of trading tools and resources available for futures trading across the thinkorswim platforms and Schwab website.
Power your futures trading with a suite of thinkorswim trading platforms.
thinkorswim trading platforms offer a wide range of tools and features designed with futures traders in mind, including:
- Easy-to-use bid/ask price ladder
- One-click order entry
- Fully customizable charting
- Advanced order types
- Precise exit and entry points
Our futures specialists are here to help answer your questions.
- Receive experienced, multilingual customer support from licensed U.S.-based professionals.
- Tap into the advanced futures knowledge of our Trade Desk team.
- Get help understanding how to use the thinkorswim platforms.
- Talk through your trade idea and potential risks.
Now you have even more ways to trade around the clock.
Trade on your terms with 24/5 access to over 1,100 of the most popular stocks—now including most of the stocks in the S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, and more.
Futures FAQs
Schwab charges US$2.25 per contract, per side, for futures and futures options trades. Additional exchange, regulatory, and overnight fees may apply depending on the product and trade activity and are subject to change.
Futures trading can potentially offer strategies designed to provide flexibility, diversification, and access to a wide range of asset classes like commodities, indexes, and interest rates. Because futures are leveraged, they require less capital upfront than buying the underlying asset, which can amplify gains.
However, leverage also increases risk. Losses may even exceed your initial investment, and markets can move quickly. Futures contracts have expiration dates, so timing matters. Futures and futures options trading are not suitable for all investors, and it's important to have a solid understanding of margin requirements, market volatility, and your overall risk tolerance before trading.
A futures broker connects approved traders to the futures markets, ensuring trades are routed to the exchange and comply with margin rules and regulatory requirements. Schwab clients who are approved to trade futures can place orders through Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC using our self-directed platforms. Support is also available to assist with platform navigation, order execution, and more.
Futures contracts have set expiration dates, typically monthly or quarterly, depending on the product. Traders can hold a position until it expires, but some traders choose to close or roll their positions before expiration to avoid delivery or final cash settlement.
Please note: Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC doesn't allow clients to take physical delivery of a futures contract; contracts are cash-settled.
Ready to start trading in the U.S. market?
Have more questions? We're here to help.
Call
Outside the U.S.
+1-415-667-7870
International toll-free numbers
In the U.S.
1-877-853-1802
24x5 Customer Service
1:00 a.m. Monday to 1:00 a.m. Saturday (U.S. EST)
Mailing address
Send applications, deposits, and other materials to:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Attn: International Operations
1945 Northwestern Drive
El Paso, TX 79912-1108, USA