Break-Even Calculator
Find the exact sell price you need to break even on any stock trade, once the broker fees and commissions you pay on both the buy and the sell are counted. Only the two commissions you enter go in, so other trading costs, such as the bid-ask spread, are left out.
Bought 100 shares at $50 with a $9.99 commission on each side? Your break-even price is $50.20 per share — not $50.00. Trading costs add up.
Enter Trade Details
Find your break-even sell priceResults
Your break-even sell priceEnter your trade details and click calculate to see your break-even price.
Understanding Break-Even
Key concepts for calculating your true break-even price
Why does break-even matter?
Many traders forget that buying and selling stock costs money. Broker commissions and regulatory fees both increase your actual break-even price. Understanding your true break-even helps you set realistic profit targets and avoid trades where the costs eat into thin margins.
A stock doesn't need to just return to your purchase price for you to break even — it needs to cover every dollar of transaction cost. Ignoring this leads to trades that feel profitable but actually lose money once all costs are tallied.
How do fees affect small vs large trades?
Fees have a disproportionate impact on smaller trades. A $10 commission on a $500 trade adds 2% to your break-even, while the same $10 on a $50,000 trade adds just 0.02%. This is why some traders prefer commission-free brokers or make fewer, larger trades.
Before entering a trade, compare the total round-trip cost (buy + sell commissions) to your expected gain. If fees consume more than 1% of your position, consider whether the trade is worth the cost or if a larger position would be more efficient.
The calculations run in your browser.
For informational and educational purposes only, not investment advice.