Stock Profit Calculator – Calculate Your Investment Gains & Losses
The Stock Profit Calculator helps investors quickly determine the profit or loss on any stock trade by factoring in buy price, sell price, number of shares, brokerage commissions, and capital gains taxes. Whether you are reviewing a completed trade or planning a future sale, this tool gives you a clear picture of your net gain and return on investment (ROI). Simply enter your trade details and get an instant, accurate breakdown of your stock market returns.
The price you paid per share when you bought the stock.
The price per share at which you sold or plan to sell the stock.
Total number of shares bought.
Brokerage commission or fee paid when purchasing the shares.
Brokerage commission or fee paid when selling the shares.
Enter your applicable capital gains tax rate to see after-tax profit. Leave 0 to skip.
Your results will appear here
How to Use This Calculator
1. Enter the price per share you paid when buying the stock in the 'Buy Price Per Share' field. 2. Enter the price per share at which you sold or intend to sell in the 'Sell Price Per Share' field. 3. Input the total number of shares you purchased. 4. Optionally, enter any brokerage commissions or fees paid when buying and selling. 5. Optionally, enter your capital gains tax rate as a percentage to see your after-tax profit. 6. Click 'Calculate' to instantly view your total cost, total revenue, gross profit, net profit, after-tax profit, ROI, and profit per share.
How Stock Profit Is Calculated
Calculating stock profit involves more than simply subtracting the purchase price from the sale price. A complete calculation accounts for the number of shares, transaction fees, and applicable taxes. Here is how each component is determined:
Total Cost (Buy)
Your total investment cost is the sum of what you paid for all shares plus any buying commission:
- Total Cost = (Buy Price × Shares) + Buy Commission
Total Revenue (Sell)
Your total proceeds from the sale are the amount received minus selling fees:
- Total Revenue = (Sell Price × Shares) − Sell Commission
Gross Profit / Loss
Gross profit is the raw price appreciation without fees:
- Gross Profit = (Sell Price − Buy Price) × Shares
Net Profit / Loss
Net profit is the true gain after all transaction fees are deducted:
- Net Profit = Total Revenue − Total Cost
After-Tax Profit
If you enter a capital gains tax rate, the calculator deducts the tax liability from the net profit. Tax is only applied when there is a net gain:
- Tax Amount = Net Profit × (Tax Rate / 100)
- After-Tax Profit = Net Profit − Tax Amount
Return on Investment (ROI)
ROI expresses your gain as a percentage of your total investment cost, making it easy to compare trades of different sizes:
- ROI = (Net Profit / Total Cost) × 100
Profit Per Share
This metric shows how much you earned (or lost) on each individual share after fees:
- Profit Per Share = Net Profit / Number of Shares
Why Fees Matter
Even small commissions can significantly erode profits on smaller trades. For example, two $9.99 commissions on a $1,000 trade represent nearly 2% of your investment. Always factor in brokerage fees for an accurate profit picture.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Capital Gains
In the United States, stocks held for less than one year are taxed as ordinary income (short-term capital gains), while those held for more than one year qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income). Always consult a tax professional for personalized advice.