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Stock Profit Calculator
Work out the profit or loss on a stock trade, your return on investment, estimated capital gains tax and your break-even price.
How stock profit is calculated
Profit equals the sale proceeds (shares × sell price, minus selling commission) minus your total cost (shares × buy price, plus buying commission). Return on investment divides that profit by your total cost.
Short-term vs. long-term gains
In the US, shares held for more than one year generally qualify for long-term capital gains rates of 0%, 15% or 20%. Gains on shares held one year or less are taxed as ordinary income. Check current rules or a tax professional for your situation.
How to use this stock profit calculator
Enter the number of shares, your buy and sell prices, any commissions and your expected capital gains tax rate. The calculator shows your profit or loss, return on investment, estimated tax, after-tax profit and the break-even sell price you need to cover your costs.
Worked example
You buy 100 shares at $50 and sell at $65 with $0 commissions. Your cost is $5,000 and your proceeds are $6,500, a $1,500 profit and a 30% return. At a 15% long-term capital gains rate, the estimated tax is $225, leaving $1,275 after tax.
Which tax rate should I use?
In the US, shares held for one year or less are taxed as short-term gains at your ordinary income rate. Shares held for more than a year qualify for lower long-term rates of 0%, 15% or 20% depending on your income, and some states add their own tax. Losses can offset gains. The thresholds change each year, so check IRS.gov or a tax professional for your situation.
Related guides
Capital gains tax on stocks · Market vs. limit vs. stop orders · How to buy stocks · What is a brokerage account? · CAGR calculator
Frequently asked questions
What is a break-even price?
It is the sell price at which you recover your full cost, including commissions, with no profit or loss.
Does this handle losses?
Yes. Enter a sell price below your buy price to see the loss. Capital losses can often offset gains for tax purposes.
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