Stock Profit Calculator
Calculate your stock trading profit or loss including broker commissions. Enter your buy price, sell price, number of shares, and any commission fees to see your net gain, total cost basis, and return on investment.
How to Calculate Stock Profit
- Enter the price per share at which you bought the stock.
- Enter the price per share at which you sold (or plan to sell).
- Enter the number of shares traded.
- Add any broker commissions for buying and selling.
- The calculator computes your net profit and return on investment.
Formula
Profit = (Sell Price - Buy Price) × Shares - Buy Commission - Sell Commission
Total Cost = (Buy Price × Shares) + Buy Commission
Total Revenue = (Sell Price × Shares) - Sell Commission
ROI = (Profit / Total Cost) × 100Example
Buy 10 shares at $100, sell at $150, with $0 commissions:
Buy Price = $100, Sell Price = $150, Shares = 10
Buy Commission = $0, Sell Commission = $0
Total Cost = ($100 × 10) + $0 = $1,000
Total Revenue = ($150 × 10) - $0 = $1,500
Profit = $1,500 - $1,000 = $500
ROI = ($500 / $1,000) × 100 = 50%
You profit $500 with a 50% return on investment.Stock Profit Reference Table
Profit at different share counts and price changes (buy at $100, no commissions):
| Shares | Sell $110 (+10%) | Sell $125 (+25%) | Sell $150 (+50%) | Sell $200 (+100%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $50 | $125 | $250 | $500 |
| 10 | $100 | $250 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 25 | $250 | $625 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| 50 | $500 | $1,250 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 100 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate stock profit?
Subtract the buy price from the sell price, multiply by the number of shares, then subtract any commissions. The result is your net profit (or loss if negative).
What about dividends?
This calculator focuses on capital gains (price appreciation). Dividends are additional income received while holding the stock. Add any dividends received to your total return for a complete picture.
How are capital gains taxed?
In the US, short-term capital gains (held less than 1 year) are taxed as ordinary income. Long-term gains (held over 1 year) are taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket.
Do brokers still charge commissions?
Many US brokers (Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood) now offer commission-free stock trading. However, some brokers still charge fees, especially for options, international stocks, or full-service accounts.
What is cost basis?
Cost basis is the total amount you paid for the investment including commissions. It's used to calculate your taxable gain or loss when you sell. If you bought shares at different prices, you may use FIFO, LIFO, or specific identification methods.