Stock Profit Calculator

The stock profit calculator computes your actual gain or loss from a stock trade, accounting for the buy price, sell price, number of shares, brokerage commissions, and estimated capital gains tax. It shows both absolute profit and percentage return, plus annualized ROI for comparing investments held for different periods.

What this calculator does

Stock profit = (Sell Price × Shares − Sell Commission) − (Buy Price × Shares + Buy Commission). This gives your gross profit. After capital gains tax, the remaining amount is your net profit.

How it works

Capital gains tax depends on how long you held the stock. Short-term (under 1 year): taxed as ordinary income (10-37%). Long-term (over 1 year): taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). This difference can significantly impact your net return.

Annualized return normalizes performance across different holding periods. A 50% return in 1 year is much better than 50% over 5 years (equivalent to 8.4% annualized). Always compare annualized returns when evaluating different investments.

Formula

Stock Profit Formula

Net Profit = (Sell Price − Buy Price) × Shares − Buy Commission − Sell Commission − Capital Gains Tax

ROI = Net Profit ÷ Total Cost × 100. Annualized ROI = ((1 + ROI)^(1/years) − 1) × 100.

Worked example

Bought 100 shares of AAPL at $150, sold at $195 after 18 months, $0 commission.

  1. Investment cost: 100 × $150 = $15,000
  2. Sale proceeds: 100 × $195 = $19,500
  3. Gross profit: $19,500 − $15,000 = $4,500 (30% return)
  4. Long-term capital gains tax (15%): $4,500 × 15% = $675
  5. Net profit: $4,500 − $675 = $3,825

Result: Net profit: $3,825 (25.5% net return). Annualized return: 16.6% per year. If held < 1 year at 24% bracket: $3,420 net (22.8%).

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate stock profit?

Profit = (Sell Price − Buy Price) × Number of Shares − Commissions. Then subtract capital gains tax for net profit.

What is the capital gains tax rate?

Short-term (held < 1 year): 10-37% based on income bracket. Long-term (held > 1 year): 0% (income under $47,025), 15% ($47,025-$518,900), or 20% (above $518,900) for single filers.

What is annualized return?

Annualized return converts any holding period to a yearly equivalent. Formula: ((1 + total return)^(1/years) − 1) × 100. This lets you compare a 2-year and a 5-year investment fairly.

Should I factor in dividends?

Yes. Total return includes both price appreciation and dividends received. Use our dividend calculator for detailed dividend income projections.