Crypto Break-Even Calculator
Find the exact price at which your crypto position becomes profitable after fees. Use this when averaging down or planning your exit strategy to avoid selling at a loss.
About this calculator
When you buy cryptocurrency and pay trading fees, your actual cost basis is higher than just the purchase price. The break-even price is the minimum price at which selling covers your total investment including fees. The formula is: Break-Even Price = avgBuyPrice + (tradingFees / amount). Here, tradingFees represents the total dollar amount paid in fees, and amount is the number of coins held. Dividing fees by the number of coins spreads the fee cost evenly across each unit. Until the market price exceeds this break-even value, any sale results in a net loss. This is especially important for high-fee exchanges or small positions where fees represent a significant percentage of the investment.
How to use
Suppose you bought 2 ETH at an average price of $1,800 each and paid $20 in trading fees. Enter avgBuyPrice = $1,800, tradingFees = $20, and amount = 2 coins. The calculator computes: Break-Even = $1,800 + ($20 / 2) = $1,800 + $10 = $1,810. This means ETH must trade above $1,810 before you profit. If you sell at exactly $1,810, your revenue exactly covers your purchase cost plus fees — zero gain, zero loss.
Frequently asked questions
How do trading fees affect my crypto break-even price?
Trading fees increase your effective cost basis by spreading the total fee amount across every coin you hold. Even a seemingly small fee can shift your break-even price meaningfully if you hold few coins or trade on a high-fee platform. For example, a $50 fee on a 1-coin position raises your break-even by the full $50. Always account for both entry and exit fees when planning your trades, as exit fees further reduce your realized profit.
What is the difference between average buy price and break-even price in crypto?
Your average buy price is the weighted mean of all the prices at which you purchased a coin, ignoring fees. Your break-even price is always higher because it adds the per-coin cost of trading fees on top of that average. The gap between the two widens when fees are large relative to your position size. Traders often confuse these two figures and underestimate how far the price needs to rise before they are actually in profit.
When should I use a crypto break-even calculator before selling?
You should use this calculator any time you are considering closing a position, especially after buying in multiple tranches at different prices. It is particularly valuable when the market price is close to your average buy price, since selling just below break-even locks in a guaranteed loss. It is also useful when comparing exchanges with different fee structures to determine which venue lets you break even at a lower market price. Knowing your break-even point removes emotion from exit decisions.