How this calculator works
Calculate the before-tax result of buying and later selling the same shares. Percentage commissions and fixed fees are charged separately on each side. Include both only when both apply. The tool also finds a break-even selling price or a price needed for a target return, and can solve individual trade inputs from a known dollar profit.
Formula
Cost = shares × buy price × (1 + buy commission rate) + fixed buy fee. Net proceeds = shares × sell price × (1 - sell commission rate) - fixed sell fee. Profit = proceeds - cost. ROI = profit / cost. Break-even sale price = (cost + fixed sell fee) / [shares × (1 - sell rate)].
Worked example
Buying 100 shares at $20 and selling at $25, with 1% commission and a $5 fixed fee on each side, costs $2,025 and returns $2,470 net, for $445 profit and 21.9753% ROI. Ten shares bought at $50 and sold at $40 with no fees lose $100, or 20%.
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Frequently asked questions
Does this include dividends?
No. This isolates the purchase and sale trade. Add distributions separately when measuring total holding-period return.
Are percentage and fixed commissions alternatives?
They can be. Set either to zero when it does not apply; both are included if both are supplied.
Does this calculate capital gains tax?
No. Currency changes, tax rules, holding periods and adjusted cost-basis rules are outside this trade arithmetic.