Stock Profit/Loss Calculator
Calculates the total profit or loss from a stock trade using your number of shares and buy/sell prices. Use it after closing a position to see your exact dollar gain or loss.
About this calculator
When you buy and then sell shares of stock, your profit or loss depends on three things: how many shares you traded, what you paid per share, and what you received per share. The formula is straightforward: Profit/Loss = shares × (sellPrice − buyPrice). If the sell price exceeds the buy price, the result is positive (profit); if the buy price is higher, the result is negative (loss). For example, buying 100 shares at $20 and selling at $25 yields 100 × ($25 − $20) = $500 profit. Note that this calculator gives the gross profit or loss before commissions, taxes, or other trading costs, which can meaningfully reduce your net return, especially on smaller trades.
How to use
Suppose you purchased 200 shares of a company at $15.00 each and later sold them at $18.50 each. Enter 200 in the Number of Shares field, $15.00 as the Buy Price, and $18.50 as the Sell Price. The calculator computes: 200 × ($18.50 − $15.00) = 200 × $3.50 = $700.00 profit. If instead you had sold at $12.00, the result would be 200 × ($12.00 − $15.00) = −$600.00, indicating a $600 loss on the trade.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate profit or loss on a stock trade?
Multiply the number of shares by the difference between your sell price and buy price: Profit/Loss = shares × (sellPrice − buyPrice). A positive result means you made money; a negative result means you lost money. This gives you the gross dollar amount, so remember to also account for brokerage commissions and capital gains taxes to find your true net profit.
What is the difference between gross profit and net profit on a stock trade?
Gross profit is the raw gain calculated from share price movement alone, using the formula shares × (sellPrice − buyPrice). Net profit subtracts all associated costs — including buy and sell commissions, exchange fees, and applicable taxes. For frequent traders or those making small trades, fees can consume a significant portion of the gross profit, making net profit considerably lower.
When should I use a stock profit/loss calculator instead of checking my brokerage statement?
A stock profit/loss calculator is useful before you execute a trade, when you want to model potential outcomes at different target prices. It also helps when comparing hypothetical scenarios or quickly verifying brokerage statements. Brokerage statements include real-time fee deductions and tax lot accounting, so they are the authoritative record, but a standalone calculator lets you run what-if analyses instantly without logging into your account.