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How to Use the Profit/Loss Calculator

Last updated: January 2, 2026 | 4 min read

The Profit/Loss Calculator shows your exact gain or loss on open or closed trades. Use it to verify broker numbers or plan exit strategies.

What You'll Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

1Select Trade Direction

Click BUY if you went long (bought) or SELL if you went short (sold).

Examples:
• You think EUR/USD will go up → Click BUY
• You think GBP/USD will go down → Click SELL

2Enter Entry Price

The price where you opened the trade.

Example: Bought EUR/USD at 1.0850

3Enter Exit/Current Price

Either the current market price (for open trades) or your actual exit price (for closed trades).

Example: Current price is 1.0920 or you closed at 1.0920

4Enter Position Size

How many lots did you trade?

Example: 0.5 lots (50,000 units)

5Review Results

The calculator shows:

  • Profit/Loss in dollars
  • Profit/Loss in pips
  • Return on risk (%)
  • Color coding: Green = profit, Red = loss

Real Trading Examples

Example 1: Winning EUR/USD Trade

Direction: BUY
Entry Price: 1.0850
Exit Price: 1.0920
Position Size: 0.5 lots
Currency Pair: EUR/USD

Result:
Pip Movement: 70 pips (1.0920 - 1.0850 = 0.0070)
Profit: +$350 (70 pips × $5 per pip)
Status: ✅ Winning trade
Example 2: Losing GBP/USD Trade

Direction: SELL
Entry Price: 1.2700
Current Price: 1.2750 (still open)
Position Size: 0.2 lots
Currency Pair: GBP/USD

Result:
Pip Movement: -50 pips (sold at 1.2700, price went up to 1.2750)
Loss: -$100 (50 pips × $2 per pip)
Status: ❌ Losing trade (should hit stop loss)
Example 3: USD/JPY Trade

Direction: BUY
Entry Price: 148.20
Exit Price: 148.80
Position Size: 1.0 lot
Currency Pair: USD/JPY

Result:
Pip Movement: 60 pips (148.80 - 148.20 = 0.60)
Profit: +$405
Status: ✅ Solid winner

Understanding Buy vs Sell

BUY (Long) Trades

You profit when price goes UP.

SELL (Short) Trades

You profit when price goes DOWN.

Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: Wrong Direction Selected

If you bought (went long) but selected SELL, results will be inverted. Double-check direction!

❌ Mistake #2: Entry vs Exit Confusion

Entry = where you opened. Exit = where you closed (or current price if still open). Don't mix them up.

❌ Mistake #3: Forgetting Spread/Commission

This calculator shows gross P&L. Your broker deducts spread and commission, so actual profit will be slightly less.

❌ Mistake #4: Wrong Decimal Places for JPY

JPY pairs: 148.50, not 1.4850. EUR/USD: 1.0850, not 10850. Match your broker's format.

When to Use This Calculator

💡 Before Exiting: Check if current profit meets your target. Don't close early if you haven't hit your planned R:R.
💡 Double-Check Broker: Verify your broker's reported P&L is accurate. Catches broker errors or misunderstandings.
💡 "What If" Scenarios: See potential profit at different exit levels. "If I exit at 1.0900 vs 1.0950, what's the difference?"
💡 Journaling: Record exact pip profit/loss for each trade in your journal. Essential for analyzing performance.

Pro Tips

💡 Tip #1: Use this alongside the Risk/Reward Calculator. If you planned 1:2 R:R (risk $100 for $200), verify you're actually hitting $200 before closing.
💡 Tip #2: For open trades, update with current price regularly to see if you're still comfortable holding.
💡 Tip #3: Save screenshots of big wins/losses. Helps with tax reporting and performance analysis.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this for stocks or crypto?

A: Yes! Enter your entry/exit prices and position size. The formula works for any market.

Q: What if I have multiple entries?

A: Calculate your average entry price first, then use that. Or calculate each position separately and sum them.

Q: Does this include swap/rollover fees?

A: No, this is pure price movement. Check your broker statement for overnight fees.

Q: Why is my broker showing different numbers?

A: Broker includes spread, commission, and possibly swap fees. This calculator shows gross P&L from price movement only.

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Related: Pip Calculator Guide | All Calculators