How do I calculate stock profit?

Net Profit = (Sell Price × Shares − Sell Commission) − (Buy Price × Shares + Buy Commission). This accounts for both commissions. To get the percentage: Net Profit / Total Cost Basis × 100. Add any dividends received for total return.

Do I need to include commissions if my broker is free?

Most major brokers (Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab, E*Trade) offer commission-free stock trades since 2019. But there are still small fees: SEC fees (~$0.01 per $5,000 sell), FINRA TAF (~$0.01 per share on sells). For micro accounts these are negligible; for large trades they matter slightly.

How are dividends included in total return?

Total return = (Sell Value − Buy Value − Commissions) + Dividends Received. Dividends come on top of capital gains. For dividend stocks, ignoring dividends understates returns by 2-4% per year. Always include them when comparing strategies.

What is annualized return?

Annualized return is what your total return would be if you held the stock for exactly one year. Formula: (Final Value / Initial Value)^(1/years) − 1. A 20% return in 6 months = 44% annualized. A 20% return in 2 years = 9.5% annualized. Critical for comparing trades of different durations.

What is break-even price?

The sell price you need to cover all your commissions and break even on the trade. Formula: (Buy Price × Shares + Buy Commission + Sell Commission) / Shares. Below this price, you're losing money; above it, you're in profit. Useful for setting stop-loss orders.

How do taxes affect stock profit?

Capital gains tax depends on holding period. Long-term (held >1 year): 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income. Short-term (≤1 year): taxed as ordinary income (10-37%). Dividends: qualified dividends use LTCG rates; ordinary dividends use ordinary rates. Use our capital-gains-tax-calculator for after-tax analysis.

What is the difference between gross and net profit?

Gross profit = Sell Value − Buy Value (ignores commissions). Net profit = Gross Profit − Total Commissions. The difference is small for low-commission brokers but can be significant for active traders or international markets with higher fees.

How is profit percentage calculated?

Profit % = (Net Profit / Total Cost Basis) × 100. Use cost basis (buy value + buy commission), NOT just buy value. This gives the true return on capital deployed. Some calculators use sell price as denominator, which is incorrect.

Stock Profit Calculator

Calculating stock profit isn't just buy price vs sell price. You need to account for commissions on both sides, dividends received during the holding period, and the impact of holding time on annualized return. Our calculator handles all of this — enter buy and sell prices, share count, commissions, dividends, and holding days to get net profit, profit %, total return %, annualized return %, and the break-even sell price needed to cover all costs.

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calendar_today Updated: April 2026

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candlestick_chartTrade Details

Buy Price

Sell Price

Number of Shares

Buy Commission

Sell Commission

Dividends (optional)

Holding Days (optional)

trending_upProfit / Loss

Net Profit

$2,000

20.00% return

Buy Value

$10,000

Sell Value

$12,000

Gross Profit

$2,000

Commissions

+ Dividends

$2,000

Annualized

N/A

Break-Even Sell Price

$100.00

Input Values

Buy Price per Share

Sell Price per Share

Number of Shares

Buy Commission

Sell Commission

tips_and_updates Tips

• Always include commissions in P&L calculations, even with zero-commission brokers
• Dividends can add 2-4% per year to total return on income stocks
• Annualized return matters more than total return for short holds
• Break-even price = total cost basis ÷ shares (helps set stop-loss)
• Long-term capital gains (>1 year) get preferential tax rates
• Wash sale rule: can't claim loss if you rebuy same stock within 30 days
• Track total return (with dividends) not just price return for income strategies

How to Use This Calculator

Enter buy + sell prices

Per share.

Enter share count

Number of shares traded.

Add commissions if any

Most US brokers are free now.

Optional: dividends + holding days

For total return + annualized.

Review profit + percentages

Net + total + annualized return.

The Formula

Always include both buy and sell commissions in your cost analysis. Even with $0 commission brokerages today, there are still spreads, SEC fees, and FINRA TAF fees on sells. Dividends boost total return — for dividend stocks, ignoring them understates returns by 2-4% per year.

Net Profit = (Sell × Shares − Sell Commission) − (Buy × Shares + Buy Commission)

lightbulb Variables Explained

Buy Value Buy Price × Number of Shares
Sell Value Sell Price × Number of Shares
Total Cost Basis Buy Value + Buy Commission
Net Profit Sell Value − Sell Commission − Total Cost Basis
Total Return Net Profit + Dividends Received

tips_and_updates Pro Tips

Always include commissions in P&L calculations, even with zero-commission brokers

Dividends can add 2-4% per year to total return on income stocks

Annualized return matters more than total return for short holds

Break-even price = total cost basis ÷ shares (helps set stop-loss)

Long-term capital gains (>1 year) get preferential tax rates

Wash sale rule: can't claim loss if you rebuy same stock within 30 days

Track total return (with dividends) not just price return for income strategies

Frequently Asked Questions

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Stock Profit Calculator

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tips_and_updates Tips

How to Use This Calculator

Enter buy + sell prices

Enter share count

Add commissions if any

Optional: dividends + holding days

Review profit + percentages

The Formula

lightbulb Variables Explained

tips_and_updates Pro Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

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