Knowing how to calculate your profit and loss accurately is a fundamental trading skill. The math differs across markets — here's a clear breakdown for forex, crypto, and futures.
In forex, profit is measured in pips. A pip is the smallest standard price move — 0.0001 for most pairs, 0.01 for JPY pairs.
Profit in Pips = (Exit Price − Entry Price) ÷ Pip Size
Example: Buy EUR/USD at 1.0850, sell at 1.0900 = 50 pips profit.
Pip value depends on lot size. For a standard lot of EUR/USD, one pip ≈ $10. Mini lot = $1. Micro lot = $0.10.
Dollar Profit = Pips × Pip Value × Lots
Use our Pip Value Calculator to get the exact pip value for any pair and lot size.
Crypto P&L is simpler — just price difference times quantity:
Gross Profit = (Sell Price − Buy Price) × Number of Coins
Always subtract fees from both sides:
Net Profit = Gross Profit − (Buy Fee + Sell Fee)
Example: Buy 0.025 BTC at $40,000, sell at $55,000. Gross profit = $375. After 0.1% fees both sides ≈ $24 in fees. Net profit ≈ $351.
Use our Crypto Profit Calculator to factor in fees automatically.
Futures profits are calculated in ticks — the minimum price movement of a contract.
Profit = (Price Move ÷ Tick Size) × Tick Value × Contracts
Example: 2 ES futures contracts, 10-point move = 40 ticks × $12.50 × 2 = $1,000 profit.
Use our Futures Tick Calculator for quick calculations on any contract.
Always express profit as a percentage of your account or investment:
Return % = (Net Profit ÷ Starting Capital) × 100
This normalizes performance and lets you compare trades fairly regardless of size.