How is stock profit calculated?

Stock profit is calculated as (Sell Price × Shares) − (Buy Price × Shares) − Buy Commission − Sell Commission. The profit percentage (ROI) is profit divided by total cost basis, multiplied by 100. For multiple buys at different prices, the buy price is the share-weighted average of all your purchases, and total cost is the sum of all buys plus their respective commissions.

What is the breakeven price for a stock?

The breakeven price is the price at which you'd sell to recover exactly what you put in. It includes both the buy and sell commissions: breakeven = (Total Cost + Buy Commission) ÷ (Shares × (1 − Sell Commission per Share)). Selling above breakeven means profit; selling below means a loss.

How are stocks taxed in 2026?

In the US, if you held the stock for one year or less (short-term), gains are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal tax rate (10% to 37% in 2026). If you held more than one year (long-term), gains are taxed at preferential rates: 0% (income up to $47,150), 15% (up to $518,900), or 20% (above $518,900), plus a possible 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax for high earners. Most countries have similar holding-period distinctions.

🆕 New Tool

Stock Profit Calculator

Compute your stock profit, ROI, breakeven, after-commission returns, and 2026 US tax — with multi-buy averaging.

📝 Your Trade

Ticker Symbol

Number of Shares

Buy Price (per share, USD)

Sell Price (per share, USD)

Buy Commission (USD)

Most brokers now offer $0 commissions. Enter if yours charges.

Sell Commission (USD)

Holding Period (days)

≥ 366 days in the US = long-term capital gains (lower tax).

Total Invested

Current Value

Profit / Loss

ROI

Avg Entry

Breakeven

Multiplier

0×

📋 Your Buy Breakdown

Buy	Price	Shares	Cost

💡 5 Insights About Your Trade

📚 Recommended

Stock Investing Books

Master the market with the best-selling guides.

📊 Level Up

Value Investing Guides

Learn to pick stocks like Warren Buffett.

📌 5 Stock Profit Tips

✓ Watch the commission drag. Even $5 per trade on a $500 buy is 1% — that's a 2% round-trip cost. Many brokers now offer $0 commissions; use them.
✓ Track your cost basis carefully. Each buy is a separate lot. If you sell partial positions, your actual profit depends on which shares you sold (FIFO vs specific identification).
✓ Long-term vs short-term matters. Holding for 366+ days in the US drops your federal tax from your ordinary income rate (up to 37%) down to 0%, 15%, or 20%.
✓ Don't forget dividends. If your stock pays dividends, those are separate income. Add them to your total return for the full picture.
✅ Set a target price before you buy. Decide your exit price and stop-loss in advance. The math doesn't lie — write it down before the trade.

How Stock Profit Is Calculated

Stock profit is the difference between what you received when you sold and what you originally paid (your cost basis). The basic formula is:

Profit = (Sell Price × Shares) − (Buy Price × Shares) − Buy Commission − Sell Commission

For multiple buys at different prices, your average entry price is the share-weighted average:

Avg Entry = (Σ Price × Shares) / Σ Shares

The breakeven price is what the stock needs to be at when you sell for you to net zero (not lose, not profit):

Breakeven = (Total Cost + Buy Commission + Sell Commission) / Total Shares

US 2026 Capital Gains Tax Brackets

Stocks are taxed based on how long you held the shares:

⏱ Short-term (≤ 1 year)

Taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate.

10% — $0 to $11,925
12% — $11,925 to $48,475
22% — $48,475 to $103,350
24% — $103,350 to $197,300
32% — $197,300 to $250,525
35% — $250,525 to $626,350
37% — above $626,350

📅 Long-term (> 1 year)

Preferential rates — much lower for most holders.

0% — income up to $47,150 (single)
15% — income $47,150 to $518,900
20% — income above $518,900
+ 3.8% NIIT for high earners (MAGI > $200K single / $250K joint)

This is a US-only guide. Canada, UK, EU, and Australia have different rules. The numbers above are 2026 federal rates; state income tax may also apply in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate stock profit with multiple buys?

Use the Multiple Buys mode. Enter each buy as a separate row with its price and the number of shares you bought. The calculator sums up your total cost basis (including all commissions) and divides by the total shares to get your share-weighted average entry price. Then it computes profit against your sell price. This matches how the IRS treats cost basis for stocks (FIFO, LIFO, or specific identification, depending on your accounting method).

What if I bought the same stock on different dates?

Add them all as separate rows in Multiple Buys mode. The price you paid is the actual executed price on that date, the shares are the total you received, and the commission is what your broker charged for that specific buy. The calculator sums up your total cost basis and shares regardless of when you bought them.

Does this calculator handle dividends or stock splits?

No — this calculator handles only capital gains from buying and selling shares. Dividends are separate income events (qualified dividends get long-term rates; ordinary dividends are taxed at your income rate). Stock splits change the number of shares and price per share but not your total cost basis — adjust your inputs accordingly after a split. For comprehensive treatment, use dedicated portfolio tracking or tax software.

Is this tool private? Do you store my data?

Yes, 100% private. All calculations happen in your browser using JavaScript — your buy prices, share counts, and trade history are never sent to any server. We use Google Analytics to count page views (anonymously) but it doesn't see the numbers you enter. Close the tab and your inputs are gone.

What about wash-sale rules for stocks?

Unlike crypto, the IRS DOES enforce the 30-day wash-sale rule for stocks. If you sell a stock at a loss and buy the same or a "substantially identical" stock within 30 days before or after the sale, the loss is disallowed and added to the cost basis of the replacement shares. This calculator does not track wash sales — consult a tax professional if you're tax-loss harvesting.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Stock prices are volatile and past performance does not guarantee future results. Tax laws change frequently — consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation. Calculations assume a US tax context with 2026 federal brackets; state taxes are not included.