Realised profit or loss
A realised result comes from shares that have already been sold. The sale price and completed transaction costs can be used in the calculation.
Calculator
Stock Profit Calculator
Calculate stock trade profit, ROI, break-even price, and fees from buy and sell details.
How it works
Method
The calculator applies the formula shown in the result cards and updates instantly as values change.
Assumptions
Editable rates, odds, values, and percentages should match your current source, supplier, or platform data.
Privacy
Calculations run in your browser. No extra API request is needed for these estimates.
Calculate Stock Profit, Loss, Return and Break-Even Price
Use the Stock Profit Calculator above to estimate how much money a stock trade gained or lost. Enter the number of shares, purchase price, selling or current price, transaction fees, dividends and other costs to see a clearer result.
The calculator can be used for a completed sale, a position that is still open or a fictional classroom exercise. It can show the difference between a simple price gain and the amount left after costs have been included.
Profit or loss
Compare the value paid for shares with the value received or currently held.
Return percentage
Measure the result as a percentage of the original amount invested.
Break-even price
Find the approximate selling price needed to recover entered costs.
Target selling price
Estimate the share price needed to reach a chosen percentage return.
What Is a Stock Profit Calculator?
A stock profit calculator compares the total cost of purchasing shares with the amount received when those shares are sold. When the shares have not been sold, the current market price can be used to estimate an unrealised profit or loss.
Simple definition:
A stock profit calculator estimates how much money was gained or lost from a share purchase after comparing the buying cost, selling value and entered expenses.
A basic calculation only needs three figures: the number of shares, purchase price per share and selling price per share. A more complete result can also include buying fees, selling fees, other transaction costs and dividends received.
Unrealised profit or loss
An unrealised result is based on shares that are still owned. It can change whenever the market price changes and may differ from the final result.
Gross price gain
Gross price gain measures the difference between the purchase value and sale value before fees and other costs are deducted.
Net profit
Net profit is the amount remaining after the entered fees, costs and income have been included in the calculation.
Stock profit is different from a company’s earnings per share. To calculate profit attributed to each outstanding company share, use the Earnings Per Share Calculator.
How to Use the Stock Profit Calculator
Complete the main fields using figures from a real trade, a possible future sale or a fictional example. Optional fields can normally be left at zero when they do not apply.
- Enter the number of shares. Use the total shares purchased or only the shares included in the sale you want to calculate.
- Enter the purchase price per share. Use the amount paid for one share before separate transaction charges.
- Enter the selling or current price per share. Use the completed selling price or enter a current price to estimate an open position.
- Add the purchase and selling fees. Enter any flat commissions or known transaction charges associated with the trade.
- Include other costs and dividends. Other costs might include currency conversion or platform charges. Dividends should be entered separately.
- Add an optional estimated tax rate. This produces a simple estimate and should not be treated as an official tax calculation.
- Enter a desired return when planning a sale. The calculator can estimate the price per share needed for a chosen percentage return.
- Review the calculation breakdown. Check the purchase value, total cost, sale value, net result, return percentage and break-even price.
Completed trade or current position?
Use the actual execution price for shares that have been sold. For shares still owned, the result is only an estimate because the final selling price and charges may change.
Stock Profit Formula
The simplest stock profit formula subtracts the total purchase value from the total sale value.
Basic stock profit = Sale value − Purchase value
Both values are found by multiplying the price per share by the number of shares.
Purchase value = Number of shares × Purchase price per share
Sale value = Number of shares × Selling price per share
A more realistic formula includes transaction fees, other entered costs and dividend income.
Net stock profit = Sale value + Dividends − Purchase value − Purchase fees − Selling fees − Other costs
A negative answer represents a loss rather than a profit.
| Calculation item | What it represents |
|---|---|
| Purchase value | The number of shares multiplied by the purchase price per share. |
| Total initial cost | The purchase value plus costs paid when the position was opened. |
| Sale value | The number of shares sold multiplied by the selling price per share. |
| Net sale proceeds | The sale value after selling charges have been deducted. |
| Net profit or loss | The final result after entered costs and dividend income are considered. |
For general business selling-price calculations, gross margin and stock-trade return are not the same measurement. The Margin Calculator can be used for product cost, selling price, markup and business margin calculations.
Worked Stock Profit Calculation Example
Suppose a learner purchases 20 fictional shares for £10 each. The shares are later sold for £13 each. There is a £2 purchase fee and a £2 selling fee.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase value | 20 shares × £10 | £200 |
| Total initial cost | £200 purchase value + £2 purchase fee | £202 |
| Sale value | 20 shares × £13 | £260 |
| Net sale proceeds | £260 sale value − £2 selling fee | £258 |
| Net profit | £258 net proceeds − £202 initial cost | £56 |
| Return percentage | £56 ÷ £202 × 100 | 27.72% |
The share price increased by £3, but the complete calculation must also account for the number of shares and both transaction fees. The result is a £56 net profit rather than the £60 gross price gain.
Learning tip
Use the
Percentage Calculator
when you want to check the percentage stage separately.
How to Calculate Stock Return Percentage
A monetary profit tells you how much money was gained. A return percentage shows the size of that gain or loss compared with the original amount invested.
Return percentage = Net profit or loss ÷ Total initial cost × 100
In the worked example, the investor made £56 from an initial cost of £202:
£56 ÷ £202 × 100 = 27.72%
Positive percentage
A positive percentage means the position produced a gain based on the figures entered.
Negative percentage
A negative percentage means the position is worth less than the amount required to recover the entered investment and costs.
Why Profit Amount and Return Percentage Are Different
The same cash profit can represent very different percentage returns. A £100 profit on a £500 investment is a 20% return, while a £100 profit on a £5,000 investment is a 2% return.
| Initial cost | Net profit | Return percentage |
|---|---|---|
| £500 | £100 | 20% |
| £1,000 | £100 | 10% |
| £5,000 | £100 | 2% |
Return from one purchase and sale is also different from long-term compounded growth. To explore how an amount may grow over several periods, use the Compound Interest Calculator.
How to Calculate a Stock Break-Even Price
The break-even price is the approximate selling price per share needed to recover the original purchase cost and entered transaction expenses without producing a profit or loss.
Break-even price per share = (Purchase value + Purchase fee + Selling fee + Other costs − Dividends) ÷ Number of shares
Assume 50 shares cost £8 each. The purchase value is £400. If purchase and expected selling fees total £10, the break-even sale value is £410.
£410 ÷ 50 shares = £8.20 break-even price per share
Without fees, the position would break even at the original £8 purchase price. The £10 of transaction costs increase the required price by £0.20 per share.
Dividends can lower the effective break-even price because they add income to the total return. The calculator keeps dividends separate so users can see where the return came from.
What Can Change the Break-Even Price?
- Purchase commissions
- Selling commissions
- Platform charges
- Currency conversion costs
- Other transaction expenses
- Dividend income received
- The number of shares sold
- Percentage-based charges
How to Find a Target Selling Price
A target selling price estimates the share price needed to reach a selected monetary profit or percentage return. This is useful for testing possible outcomes before a sale, but it does not predict where a market price will move.
Target Price for a Chosen Profit Amount
Target sale value = Total initial cost + Desired profit + Expected selling costs − Dividends
Target price per share = Target sale value ÷ Number of shares
For example, assume 100 shares have a total initial cost of £1,000. The user wants a £200 profit, expects a £5 selling fee and has received no dividends.
(£1,000 + £200 + £5) ÷ 100 = £12.05 target price per share
Target Price for a Chosen Percentage Return
When a desired percentage is entered, the calculator estimates the sale value required to produce that return after considering the values entered.
| Desired return | Desired profit before extra selling costs | Approximate price per share |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | £50 | £10.50 |
| 10% | £100 | £11.00 |
| 15% | £150 | £11.50 |
| 20% | £200 | £12.00 |
These simple table figures exclude extra selling charges. Enter the expected fees in the calculator for a more complete target-price estimate.
Calculating Profit from Multiple Stock Purchases
Investors sometimes buy the same stock more than once at different prices. The correct average purchase price should reflect the number of shares bought in each transaction.
| Purchase | Number of shares | Price per share | Purchase value |
|---|---|---|---|
| First purchase | 10 | £8 | £80 |
| Second purchase | 20 | £10 | £200 |
| Third purchase | 10 | £12 | £120 |
| Total | 40 | Not applicable | £400 |
Weighted average purchase price = Total purchase value ÷ Total number of shares
£400 ÷ 40 shares = £10 average purchase price per share
Do not simply add £8, £10 and £12 and divide by three when purchase quantities are unequal. A purchase containing more shares must have a greater effect on the final average.
The
Average Calculator
can help with general mean calculations. For stock purchases, first calculate the total value of every purchase and divide by the combined number of shares.
Should Purchase Fees Be Included?
When calculating the full cost basis for personal records, purchase fees may need to be added to the total purchase cost. The exact treatment required for official reporting depends on the applicable rules and circumstances.
How to Calculate Profit on a Partial Stock Sale
A partial sale happens when only some shares in a position are sold. For example, a person might own 100 shares but sell only 40. The calculation should use the sale proceeds and assigned purchase cost of the 40 shares sold.
Shares sold
Use the number of shares included in the completed or planned sale.
Assigned purchase cost
Identify the cost associated with the shares being sold rather than using the cost of the full position.
Realised result
Compare the sale proceeds with the cost assigned to the shares sold.
Remaining position
Keep the unsold shares and their remaining cost separate from the completed sale calculation.
Common Cost-Assignment Methods
| Method | General meaning |
|---|---|
| Average cost | The total purchase cost is divided by the total number of shares. |
| First purchased, first sold | The earliest purchased shares are treated as the shares sold first. |
| Specific identification | A particular purchase lot is selected as the source of the shares sold. |
The method required for formal tax reporting can vary by country, investment account and personal circumstances. The calculator provides a mathematical estimate and does not select an official reporting method.
How Fees, Dividends and Estimated Tax Affect Stock Profit
Trading Fees and Other Costs
A trade can show a price gain while producing a smaller net profit after costs are deducted. Enter all known costs to make the result more useful.
- Purchase commission
- Selling commission
- Platform charges
- Currency conversion charges
- Exchange or regulatory costs
- Transaction taxes
- Margin interest
- Other account charges
| Result | Without entered fees | After £35 of fees |
|---|---|---|
| Gross price gain | £500 | £500 |
| Total entered fees | £0 | £35 |
| Net profit | £500 | £465 |
Do Dividends Count as Stock Profit?
Dividends can form part of the total return received from owning shares. A position may produce a price gain, dividend income or a combination of both.
Total return = Capital gain or loss + Dividends − Fees and other costs
For example, a £100 price gain plus £20 of dividends and £5 of total fees produces a £115 net total return.
Enter dividend income separately rather than adding it to the selling price. This makes it easier to distinguish income from share-price movement.
Estimated Tax
The optional tax field applies the percentage entered to a positive calculated gain. It provides a simple estimate only. Actual treatment can depend on location, allowances, holding period, account type, transaction history and personal circumstances.
Do not treat the estimated after-tax figure as an official filing amount or personalised financial advice. Check the relevant rules and transaction documents before relying on a tax calculation.
Stock Profit Calculator Results Explained
| Displayed result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purchase value | The number of shares multiplied by the purchase price. |
| Total initial cost | The purchase value plus relevant costs entered for opening the position. |
| Sale value | The shares included in the calculation multiplied by the selling or current price. |
| Gross price gain or loss | The difference between the sale value and purchase value before costs. |
| Net profit or loss | The result after the entered fees, costs and dividend income are included. |
| Return percentage | The net result expressed as a percentage of the total initial cost. |
| Estimated tax | A simplified estimate based on the optional tax percentage entered. |
| Estimated profit after tax | The calculated positive gain after subtracting the simple tax estimate. |
| Break-even price | The estimated selling price per share required to recover entered costs. |
| Target price | The estimated price per share required for the selected percentage return. |
Stock Profit Calculator Versus Other Investment Calculators
| Tool type | Best used for |
|---|---|
| Stock Profit Calculator | A specific share purchase, sale or current position. |
| Compound Interest Calculator | Growth over time when returns are repeatedly added to the balance. |
| SIP Investment Return Calculator | Regular monthly contributions and estimated long-term growth. |
| Earnings Per Share Calculator | Company net income allocated across outstanding shares. |
| Margin Calculator | Business cost, selling price, gross margin and markup. |
For recurring monthly investment estimates, open the SIP Investment Return Calculator.
Stock Profit Calculator for Students, Teachers and Families
The calculator can support lessons involving multiplication, decimals, percentages, weighted averages, profit and loss, table reading and practical financial maths.
Younger learners can begin with whole numbers and no fees. More advanced learners can add decimal prices, transaction costs, multiple purchases, dividend income and target-return calculations.
Simple Classroom or Homeschool Activity
- Create three or four fictional companies with different share prices.
- Give every learner or team the same pretend starting budget.
- Ask them to choose a number of fictional shares to purchase.
- Reveal a new pretend market price after each round.
- Calculate the profit or loss in money.
- Calculate the percentage return and compare it with the cash result.
- Add a fictional purchase or selling fee and calculate the new net result.
- Ask learners to explain which trade performed best and why.
Skills Learners Can Practise
- Multiplication with decimals
- Percentage increase and decrease
- Positive and negative values
- Profit and loss calculations
- Weighted average prices
- Reading financial tables
- Comparing different scenarios
- Explaining mathematical reasoning
Using the Calculation in a Blooket Activity
Teachers can calculate answers in advance and turn fictional share examples into multiple-choice, true-or-false or missing-number questions. Keep the examples based on pretend money and fictional companies so the activity remains focused on mathematics and financial education.
Example profit question
A learner buys 10 fictional shares for £5 each and sells them for £7 each. What is the gross profit?
Example percentage question
A £100 fictional investment earns a £20 profit. What is the percentage return?
Example fee question
A trade produces a £40 gross gain and has £6 of fees. What is the net profit?
Example break-even question
A learner spends £200 on 20 shares and pays £4 in fees. What price per share is needed to break even?
To plan pack odds, token use and game-related values separately, use the Blooket Calculator.
Common Stock Profit Calculation Mistakes
| Common mistake | How to correct it |
|---|---|
| Forgetting the number of shares | Multiply each price per share by the number of shares before comparing values. |
| Ignoring the purchase fee | Add the purchase fee to the amount originally invested. |
| Ignoring the selling fee | Deduct the expected or actual selling charge from the sale proceeds. |
| Confusing gross and net profit | Use net profit when you need the result after entered costs. |
| Confusing profit with percentage return | Calculate the cash result first, then divide it by the initial cost. |
| Using a simple average for unequal purchases | Use the total purchase value divided by the total number of shares. |
| Using the entire position for a partial sale | Include only the shares sold and their assigned purchase cost. |
| Forgetting dividend income | Add dividends separately when calculating total return. |
| Mixing currencies | Convert all values into the same currency before calculating. |
| Treating an unrealised gain as final | Remember that the market price and final execution price can change. |
| Applying tax to the entire sale value | Do not assume the full proceeds represent a taxable gain. |
| Relying on incomplete transaction records | Check purchase confirmations, sale confirmations, fees and dividend statements. |
More Stock Profit and Loss Examples
Example 1: Profitable trade
A student buys 15 fictional shares for £12 each and sells them for £15 each. With no fees, the purchase value is £180 and the sale value is £225. The profit is £45.
Example 2: Stock loss
An investor buys 10 shares for £20 each and sells them for £17 each. The purchase value is £200 and the sale value is £170. Before fees, the loss is £30.
Example 3: Profit after fees
A transaction produces a £50 gross price gain, but the purchase and selling fees total £8. The net profit is £42.
Example 4: Profit with dividends
A position produces a £60 price gain and pays £15 in dividends. After £5 of entered fees, the net total return is £70.
Example 5: Multiple purchases
A learner buys 10 shares at £8 and 20 shares at £11. The total value is £300 across 30 shares, giving a weighted average price of £10 per share.
Example 6: Partial sale
A person owns 50 shares but sells 20. The sale calculation should use the proceeds and assigned purchase cost of those 20 shares only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate profit from stocks?
Multiply the selling price by the number of shares, then subtract the purchase value and transaction costs. Add any dividends received when calculating total return. A negative answer means the position produced a loss.
How do I calculate stock profit percentage?
Divide the net profit or loss by the total initial cost and multiply the answer by 100. A positive result represents a percentage gain, while a negative result represents a percentage loss.
What does a negative stock profit mean?
A negative stock profit means the sale value or current value is lower than the amount required to recover the original investment and relevant costs entered into the calculator.
Does the calculator include transaction fees?
Yes. Purchase fees, selling fees and other costs can be entered separately. These amounts are included when calculating the estimated net profit or loss.
Can I calculate stock profit before selling?
Yes. Enter the current or expected price in the selling-price field. The result will be an unrealised estimate because the final sale price, fees and market conditions may change.
Do dividends count as stock profit?
Dividends can form part of total investment return. Add dividend income to the capital gain or loss, then deduct relevant entered costs to estimate the net total return.
How do I calculate profit from multiple stock purchases?
Add the value of all purchases and divide the total by the combined number of shares to find the weighted average purchase price. Purchase fees may also need to be included in the total cost.
How do I calculate profit when selling only some shares?
Use the sale value and assigned purchase cost of the shares included in the sale. Do not include the value or cost of shares that remain in the account.
What is the break-even price of a stock?
The break-even price is the estimated selling price per share needed to recover the original purchase value and all entered costs without making a profit or loss.
How much must a stock rise to make a 20% return?
The required price depends on the initial cost, number of shares, fees, dividends and other expenses. Enter 20 in the desired-return field to estimate the target price per share.
Is stock profit the same as return on investment?
Stock profit is normally shown as a monetary amount. Return on investment expresses the profit or loss as a percentage of the amount originally invested.
Does the calculator provide an exact tax figure?
No. The optional tax result is a simplified estimate based on the percentage entered. Actual tax treatment depends on the applicable rules, allowances, account type and personal circumstances.
Can students and teachers use this calculator?
Yes. It can support lessons involving multiplication, percentages, profit and loss, weighted averages, data comparison and basic financial literacy. Classroom examples should use fictional companies and pretend money.