Stock Profit Calculator
Profit, return percent, and net proceeds from buy and sell prices plus trading fees.
What it does
Stock profit is the sell value minus the buy value with trading fees taken off both ends. Price gain per share times shares gives the gross move, then commissions on entry and exit pull it toward the broker reported net.
The tool above takes buy price, sell price, share count, and both commissions. It returns signed profit with return percent and net proceeds beside them.
The default of 100 shares from $50 to $75 with $10 fees each side costs $5,010, returns $7,490, and keeps +$2,480.00 at +49.50%. A losing leg like $100 to $90 on 10 shares with the same fees loses $110.00 at -10.95%.
The mechanics follow SEC investor guidance on how stock trades settle with FINRA buying and selling education matching the fee treatment. Both stress that commissions and spreads reduce every round trip before tax enters.
How to use
- Enter the per share buy price actually paid.
- Enter the per share sell price received or planned.
- Enter the share count including fractional shares.
- Enter both commissions, 0 for free trades.
- Read profit first, then return percent for comparison.
Formula
- cost
- All in entry: shares times buy price plus buy fee.
- proceeds
- Net exit: shares times sell price minus sell fee.
- return
- Profit as a percent of the all in cost.
Dividends received while holding add to total return on a separate line and sit outside this price only math. Short sales flip the signs and need margin math instead.
Worked example
Example: 100 shares from $50 to $75
Buy 50, sell 75, shares 100, fees 10 and 10.
- Cost: 50 x 100 + 10 = $5,010.00.
- Proceeds: 75 x 100 - 10 = $7,490.00.
- Profit: 7,490 - 5,010 = +$2,480.00.
- Return: 2,480 / 5,010 x 100 = +49.50%.
- Tool shows +$2,480.00, +49.50 %, and $7,490.00.
Reference table
| Trade | Profit | Return |
|---|---|---|
| 50 shares $20 to $30, no fees | +$500.00 | +50.00 % |
| 200 shares $10 to $12, no fees | +$400.00 | +20.00 % |
| 100 shares $50 to $75, $20 fees | +$2,480.00 | +49.50 % |
| 10 shares $100 to $90, $10 fees | -$110.00 | -10.95 % |
Limits
- Price moves only; dividends need their own line.
- Tax on gains excluded; brokers report basis on Form 1099-B.
- Currency moves excluded for foreign listings.
- Splits and corporate actions need adjusted prices first.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the sell fee after counting the buy fee.
- Dividing by sale value instead of cost for the return.
- Pricing limit orders at the quote without slippage.
- Ignoring spreads on thin names that dwarf commissions.
- Calling pre tax profit the take home.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
50 shares $20 to $30, no fees?
Cost $1,000, proceeds $1,500: +$500.00 at +50.00%.
10 shares $100 to $90 with $5 fees each side?
Cost $1,005, proceeds $895: -$110.00 at -10.95%.
Cover $20 round trip fees on 100 shares bought at $50?
Need $0.20 a share: sell at $50.20 to break even.
Questions
How do I calculate stock profit?
Sell value minus fees, less buy value plus fees. The percent divides by the all in cost.
Do fees really matter?
On small tickets, yes. Two $5 fees erase 10% of a $100 position before prices move.
What is return percent?
Profit over all in cost times 100. It compares trades of different sizes fairly.
Are dividends included?
No. Add cash dividends received to the profit here for total return.
What about taxes?
Excluded. Gains face capital gains tax rules and brokers report your basis yearly.
Can profit be negative?
Yes, shown with a minus sign. A falling price plus fees on both sides deepens it.