Stock Profit Calculator — Calculate Your Trading Gains and Losses
Free stock profit calculator to determine gains or losses from trades. Enter buy/sell prices and share quantity for instant results.
Whether you are a day trader or long-term investor; knowing your exact profit or loss on a stock trade is essential for portfolio management and tax planning. This calculator factors in buy price; sell price; number of shares; and broker commissions to give you net profit; percentage return; and cost basis — everything you need for accurate trade tracking.
How do I calculate stock profit?
Subtract your total cost from your total sale proceeds. Total cost = (buy price x shares) + buy commission. Total proceeds = (sell price x shares) - sell commission. For example; buying 100 shares at $50 and selling at $65: profit = ($6;500 - $5;000) = $1;500 or a 30% return before taxes.
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Understanding Your Investment Returns
This calculator projects your returns using compound interest, where your earnings generate their own earnings over time. The power of compounding means that even small regular investments can grow into substantial wealth over long periods. For example, investing just Rs 5,000 per month at 12% expected returns for 25 years can grow to over Rs 1 crore — of which only Rs 15 lakh is your own money and Rs 85 lakh is compounding returns. The key factors that determine your final corpus are: the amount invested, the rate of return, the duration of investment, and the frequency of compounding.
Important Considerations
Past returns do not guarantee future performance, especially for market-linked instruments like mutual funds and equities. The returns shown are estimates based on the rate you enter. Equity investments carry market risk but have historically delivered 12-15% CAGR over 15+ year periods in India. Fixed income options like PPF (7.1%) and FD (6-7.5%) offer lower but more predictable returns. Diversifying across asset classes — equity, debt, gold, and real estate — reduces overall portfolio risk while optimizing returns for your risk tolerance.
Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Average Annual S&P 500 Return | ~10% (historical long-term average) |
| Capital Gains Tax (Short-Term) | Taxed as ordinary income (10-37%) |
| Capital Gains Tax (Long-Term) | 0%; 15%; or 20% based on income |
| Average Broker Commission | $0 (most major brokers since 2019) |
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Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate stock profit?
Subtract your total cost from your total sale proceeds. Total cost = (buy price x shares) + buy commission. Total proceeds = (sell price x shares) - sell commission. For example; buying 100 shares at $50 and selling at $65: profit = ($6;500 - $5;000) = $1;500 or a 30% return before taxes.
What is cost basis and why does it matter?
Cost basis is the original purchase price of your shares plus any commissions or fees. It determines your taxable gain or loss when you sell. If you bought shares at different times; you can use FIFO (first in; first out); LIFO (last in; first out); or specific identification to calculate cost basis. Accurate cost basis reporting is required for IRS tax filing.
Should I sell stocks at a loss for tax benefits?
Tax-loss harvesting involves selling losing positions to offset capital gains and reduce your tax bill. You can deduct up to $3;000 in net capital losses against ordinary income per year; with excess losses carried forward. However; the IRS wash-sale rule prevents you from repurchasing substantially identical securities within 30 days before or after the sale.
What is compound interest and why does it matter?
Compound interest means you earn interest on your interest, not just your principal. Over long periods, this creates exponential growth — even small regular investments can grow into substantial wealth over 15-25 years.
Should I invest regularly or as a lump sum?
Regular investing (dollar-cost averaging) smooths out market volatility by buying at various price points. Lump sum investing works better if markets are undervalued. For most people, regular monthly investing is simpler and more disciplined.
How much should I invest monthly to reach my goal?
The amount depends on your target, timeline, and expected returns. Use this calculator to model different scenarios. The key factors are starting early, investing consistently, and reinvesting returns.
Are investment returns taxable?
Tax treatment varies by investment type and country. Capital gains, dividends, and interest income may be taxed differently. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation and jurisdiction.
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Last updated: March 2026