Stock Profit Calculator
Calculate your total profit or loss on a stock trade, including fees.
How do you calculate stock profit?
Stock profit is calculated by subtracting your total cost basis (shares purchased multiplied by purchase price) from your total sale proceeds (shares sold multiplied by selling price), then subtracting any broker commissions or fees paid on either transaction. The formula is: Profit = (Shares × Selling Price) − (Shares × Purchase Price) − Total Fees. If the result is negative, you have a loss rather than a profit.
Why does return percentage matter more than raw dollar profit?
A $500 profit on a $1,000 investment (50% return) is a far better outcome than a $500 profit on a $50,000 investment (1% return), even though the dollar amount is identical. Return percentage lets you compare the performance of trades across different position sizes and helps you judge whether a trade beat the broader market or a benchmark index over the same holding period.
Do broker fees really make a difference?
Many modern brokers offer commission-free trading, but some charge flat fees, per-share fees, or spreads that eat into your returns — especially on smaller trades or high-frequency trading strategies. Always factor in both the buy-side and sell-side fees before deciding whether a trade was actually profitable, since a seemingly winning trade can turn into a breakeven or losing one once fees are included. This calculator lets you enter a combined total for both transactions so you get an accurate net result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate profit on a stock sale?
Multiply your shares by the selling price to get sale proceeds, multiply shares by the purchase price to get your cost basis, then subtract cost basis and any fees from sale proceeds. The result is your total profit or loss.
What is cost basis?
Cost basis is the total original amount you paid to acquire shares, calculated as the number of shares multiplied by the purchase price. It's used to determine your capital gain or loss when you sell.
Should I include broker fees in my profit calculation?
Yes. Fees reduce your actual take-home profit, so always subtract commissions and transaction fees from both the buy and sell side to see your true net profit or loss.
What's a good return percentage on a stock trade?
There's no universal number — it depends on your holding period and risk tolerance. A 7-10% annual return roughly tracks the long-term stock market average, so short-term trades that beat that on an annualized basis are generally considered strong.
Does this calculator account for taxes?
No, this tool calculates your raw trading profit or loss before taxes. Capital gains tax owed depends on your holding period (short-term vs long-term) and income bracket, so consult a tax professional for exact figures.
What if I sold at a loss?
If your selling price times shares, minus fees, is less than your cost basis, the calculator will show a negative value representing your capital loss, which may be usable to offset other capital gains for tax purposes.
Can I use this for partial share sales?
Yes, simply enter the exact number of shares you sold (fractional shares are supported) along with the corresponding purchase and selling prices for that portion of your position.
Does this work for any stock exchange or currency?
Yes, the math is currency-agnostic — just make sure purchase price, selling price, and fees are all entered in the same currency for an accurate result.