Stock Profit Calculator: Gain, Return % and Break-Even Price
Enter shares, buy and sell prices and commissions to see the profit or loss, the percentage return, the break-even sell price and an estimate of tax on the gain
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Stock Profit Calculator: Gain, Return % and Break-Even Price
Printed 2026-10-27 from billorganizingapp.com/income/calculators/stock-profit/ — an estimate for planning, not financial or tax advice.
Held more than one year = long-term gain; one year or less = short-term, taxed as ordinary income (IRS Topic 409). The tax line is a flat estimate at the rate you enter.
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Enter the number of shares, the price you paid and the price you sold at (or are considering), plus any commission on each trade and the tax rate you expect on the gain. The calculator shows the cost basis, the sale proceeds, the profit or loss in dollars and as a percentage, and the sell price you need to break even after fees.
How stock profit is calculated
Cost basis = shares × buy price + buy commission. Proceeds = shares × sell price − sell commission. Profit = proceeds − cost basis, and return = profit ÷ cost basis. Buying 100 shares at $50 and selling at $65 with $5 commission each way: basis $5,005, proceeds $6,495, profit $1,490, a 29.77% return. Break-even after both commissions is $50.10 a share. Selling at $45 instead would be a $-510 loss.
| Sell price | Profit / loss | Return |
|---|---|---|
| $40 | $-1,010 | -20.18% |
| $45 | $-510 | -10.19% |
| $50 | $-10 | -0.20% |
| $55 | $490 | 9.79% |
| $65 | $1,490 | 29.77% |
| $75 | $2,490 | 49.75% |
Short-term vs long-term gains (IRS Topic 409)
IRS Topic 409: shares held more than one year produce a long-term gain or loss; one year or less is short-term. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income. For tax year 2025, IRS Topic 409 lists a 0% long-term rate for taxable income up to $48,350 (single) or $96,700 (married filing jointly), 15% for most people above that, and 20% at higher incomes. Net capital losses can offset up to $3,000 of other income a year ($1,500 if married filing separately), with the rest carried forward. The tax field here is a flat estimate — enter the rate that applies to you.
Dividends and fees
This calculator covers the price change only. Dividends received while you held the shares are taxed separately in the year paid (IRS Topic 404); add them to the sale proceeds to see the total return, or use the IRR calculator for a return that accounts for timing. Many brokers now charge no commission on online stock trades; set the fee fields to zero if so. Stocks aren't FDIC insured and can lose value.
Options instead of shares
For a call or put you bought, work out the profit, the break-even stock price and the most you can lose per contract.
Official sources
Tax rules, limits and pay data change. Check the current figures with the primary source before acting on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate profit on a stock?+
Profit = (shares × sell price − sell fees) − (shares × buy price + buy fees). 100 shares bought at $50 and sold at $65 with $5 commissions each way: $1,490 profit.
How do I calculate the percentage gain on a stock?+
Divide the profit by the cost basis (what you paid including fees). $1,490 ÷ $5,005 = 29.77%.
What is my break-even price?+
(Cost basis + sell commission) ÷ shares. For 100 shares bought at $50 with $5 to buy and $5 to sell, $50.10.
How are stock profits taxed?+
As capital gains when you sell. Held more than one year the gain is long-term and taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on taxable income; held one year or less it is short-term and taxed as ordinary income (IRS Topic 409).
Can I deduct a stock loss?+
Capital losses first offset capital gains; IRS Topic 409 lets up to $3,000 of net capital loss ($1,500 if married filing separately) offset other income each year, with the rest carried forward.
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