Profit and loss is the one number that tells you whether your edge is real. This calculator shows the dollar outcome of a trade from entry to exit — including short trades and fees — so you plan around realistic numbers, not guesswork.
What is a profit and loss calculator?
A profit and loss (P&L) calculator takes your entry price, exit price, position size and fees, and returns the exact dollar result of the trade. It also works for short positions, where you sell first and buy back later at a lower price.
Why it matters
Knowing your likely P&L before entering lets you check two things: whether the reward justifies the risk, and whether fees eat your edge. Many strategies look profitable in price terms but lose money once commissions, spreads and swaps are included.
The profit / loss formula
Worked example
Buy 100 shares at $100, sell at $110, fees $5
Gross = (110 − 100) × 100 = $1,000
Net = $1,000 − $5 = $995 profit
Sell 0.10 lots of EUR/USD at 1.1000, buy back at 1.0950 → 50 pips × $1 per pip = $50 profit
P&L across markets
Stocks & crypto: (exit − entry) × units, minus fees.
Forex: pips × pip value × lot size. Pip value depends on the pair and your account currency.
Futures: (exit − entry) in points × contract multiplier × number of contracts.
Keep an edge journal
- Record every trade. Log entry, exit, size and fees; the aggregate P&L tells you if you're actually ahead.
- Include costs. A profitable strategy can turn negative after spreads and commissions.
- Separate winners from losers. A few big winners often mask many small losers — size your losers down.