Calculate exact profit, loss, and return percentage on any trade. Enter your entry price, exit price, and position size โ works for stocks, forex, crypto, and any tradable asset.
How to Calculate Profit and Loss
The formula depends on whether you went long (bought) or short (sold) the asset:
Long position:
P&L = (Exit Price โ Entry Price) ร Position Size โ Fees
Short position:
P&L = (Entry Price โ Exit Price) ร Position Size โ Fees
Return percentage:
Return % = (P&L รท Position Value) ร 100
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate profit and loss on a trade?
For a long trade: subtract entry price from exit price, then multiply by position size and subtract fees. For a short trade: subtract exit price from entry price, then multiply by position size. The result is your profit (positive) or loss (negative).
What's the difference between gross and net P&L?
Gross P&L is the profit/loss from price movement only. Net P&L subtracts trading costs (commissions, spreads, swaps, slippage) from gross P&L. Net is what you actually keep.
How do I calculate return percentage?
Return % = (P&L รท Position Value) ร 100. For example, a $500 profit on a $10,000 position = (500/10,000) ร 100 = 5% return. This shows how much your capital grew, not just absolute dollars.
Does this calculator work for short positions?
Yes. Use the LONG/SHORT toggle at the top. For short positions, you profit when the exit price is LOWER than the entry price.
Should I include fees and commissions?
Yes โ always calculate net P&L. Trading costs add up significantly over many trades. Include broker commissions, spread costs, and any other fees to see your true return.