Stock Profit/Loss Calculator
Calculate stock profit or loss with commissions and tax estimates. Supports long and short positions with break-even price and ROI.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Calculations are estimates and may not reflect your exact situation. Consult a qualified financial adviser for personalised guidance.
About Stock Profit/Loss Calculator
This stock profit calculator tells you exactly how much you made or lost on a trade, factoring in commissions and an optional capital gains tax estimate. It supports both long and short positions.
Long and Short Positions
Toggle between long and short to adjust the calculation. Long positions profit when the stock price goes up. Short positions profit when it goes down. The calculator automatically flips the math so you see the correct profit or loss for your position type.
Commissions and Break-even
Enter your per-trade commission and the calculator applies it to both the opening and closing trade. It also computes the break-even price, the exact price where your trade would produce zero profit after covering commissions. If your broker offers commission-free trades, leave the field at zero. For a broader view of your returns across multiple investments, try the ROI Calculator.
Quick Tax Estimate
The tax section lets you input a capital gains rate to see an after-tax profit estimate. The default is 15%, which is the US long-term capital gains rate for most tax brackets. Adjust it to match your situation. For a more detailed look at how your investment grows over time with compound returns, the CAGR Calculator can project future growth. Everything runs in your browser with no data stored anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is stock profit calculated?
For a long position, profit equals (sell price minus buy price) times the number of shares, minus total commissions. For a short position, profit equals (short price minus cover price) times shares, minus commissions. The calculator handles both automatically.
What is the difference between long and short?
A long position means you buy shares expecting the price to rise, then sell at a higher price for profit. A short position means you borrow and sell shares expecting the price to fall, then buy them back at a lower price. Short sellers profit when prices drop.
How is the break-even price calculated?
The break-even price is the price at which your trade produces zero profit after accounting for commissions. For long positions it is the buy price plus total commissions divided by shares. For short positions it is the short price minus total commissions divided by shares.
Is the tax estimate accurate?
The tax estimate is a rough calculation based on the capital gains rate you enter. Actual taxes depend on your income, how long you held the position, your country's tax laws, and other factors. Use it as a quick approximation, not tax advice.
Why include commissions in the calculation?
Even small per-trade commissions add up over time and directly reduce your returns. The calculator applies the commission to both the buy and sell side, giving you a realistic view of your actual profit. Many brokers now offer zero-commission trades, in which case just leave it at 0.