Futures Calculator
Futures calculator works out Profit or loss and Cost basis from Quantity bought, Quantity (alternative name) and Buy price per unit. The default figures on this page give profit or loss of 20.00; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
5 steps
- Cost basis = 10 contracts x 1 x 5 = 50
- Gross proceeds = 10 x 1 x 7 = 70
- Fees = 0 + 0 = 0
- Profit = 70 - 50 - 0 = 20
- Break-even sell price = (50 + 0) / 10 = 5
Its 5 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed
Sources and references
2 sources
Keep this result
Save it, change one figure, then compare the two
The calculation stays free. Save this scenario, adjust one assumption, save that too, and put them side by side to see exactly what the change costs you. A free account keeps 5 scenarios and 2 comparisons; Personal makes both unlimited and adds exports and private links. Nothing is saved unless you press Save.
What the futures calculator calculates
Works out the profit or loss on a share, crypto or futures trade from the buy price, sell price, quantity and both sides of commission, and reports the cost basis, gross proceeds, return percentage and the break-even sell price; it can also size a position from the amount of account equity you are willing to risk.
How to use this futures calculator
Enter Quantity bought, Quantity (alternative name), Buy price per unit and Sell price per unit. Profit or loss updates as you type. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Profit or loss, Cost basis and Gross proceeds.
The method follows U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Cost Basis for Securities Transactions and Fixed-fractional position sizing: shares = risk budget / risk per share.
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Profit or loss, Cost basis and Gross proceeds. The inputs you can vary are Quantity bought, Quantity (alternative name), Buy price per unit, Sell price per unit, Buy-side commission and fees and Sell-side commission and fees.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
See something wrong? Report a problem with this calculator
Frequently asked questions
Is $100 enough to trade futures?
Works out the profit or loss on a share, crypto or futures trade from the buy price, sell price, quantity and both sides of commission, and reports the cost basis, gross proceeds. On the figures this page opens with — quantity bought 10, buy price per unit 5 and sell price per unit 7 — the profit or loss is 20. Put your own figures in their place and the working updates beside the result.
How much is 1 point worth in futures?
On the figures this page opens with — quantity bought 10, buy price per unit 5 and sell price per unit 7 — the profit or loss is 20. No single number fits everyone: change any figure above and the answer updates as you type, with each step of the arithmetic beside it.
What is the 80% rule in futures trading?
It needs Quantity bought, Quantity (alternative name), Buy price per unit, Sell price per unit, Buy-side commission and fees and Sell-side commission and fees. Nothing else is required, and the figures stay in your browser.
How is futures trading calculated?
Works out the profit or loss on a share, crypto or futures trade from the buy price, sell price, quantity and both sides of commission, and reports the cost basis, gross proceeds. Open “How this is worked out” beside the result to see each step for your own figures.
What information do I need for the futures calculator?
You need Quantity bought, Quantity (alternative name), Buy price per unit, Sell price per unit, Buy-side commission and fees, Sell-side commission and fees, Contract multiplier and Account equity. The page opens with default figures that give profit or loss of 20.00, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this futures calculator show?
It shows Profit or loss, Cost basis, Gross proceeds, Total commission and fees, Net proceeds after sell-side fees, Return on capital invested, Break-even sell price and Position size, with the working and any warnings for your entries.