The Complete Guide to Calculating Crypto Profit
By Arshi Khan, Founder of Just4Marketing · Last reviewed October 2026
Working out what a crypto trade really made is easy to get slightly wrong. Trading fees come off both the buy and the sell, so the price has to rise a little just to break even. This guide shows the full calculation, how fees change the result, and what to keep track of for your records.
The profit formula
Coins bought = amount invested × (1 − buy fee) ÷ buy price. Sale proceeds = coins × sell price × (1 − sell fee). Profit = sale proceeds − amount invested, and ROI = profit ÷ amount invested × 100.
For example, $1,000 invested at $50,000 with a 0.1% fee buys 0.01998 coins. Selling at $60,000 with another 0.1% fee returns $1,197.60 — a $197.60 profit, or 19.76%. Without fees it would have been exactly $200 and 20%.
How fees move your break-even price
| Fee on each side | Break-even sell price (bought at $50,000) |
|---|---|
| 0% | $50,000.00 |
| 0.1% | $50,100.15 |
| 0.5% | $50,503.78 |
| 1% | $51,015.20 |
Good habits for tracking trades
Record every trade
Keep the date, amount, price, and fee for each buy and sell. Exchanges' exports are useful but not always complete.
Use your average cost for multiple buys
If you bought at several prices, use the DCA calculator to find your average cost before working out profit.
Count network fees too
Moving coins between wallets and exchanges costs network fees, which reduce your real return.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate profit on a crypto trade?
Work out how many coins you received after the buy fee (amount invested × (1 − buy fee) ÷ buy price), multiply by the sell price, subtract the sell fee, then subtract what you originally invested. The result is your profit or loss in dollars.
What is the break-even price?
It's the sell price at which your proceeds, after the sell fee, exactly equal what you invested. Because you pay fees twice, it's always a little above your buy price — about 0.2% higher with 0.1% fees on each side.
Does this include taxes?
No. Crypto taxes depend on where you live, how long you held the coins, and your other income. Use the profit figure here as your gain before tax and check your local rules or a tax professional.
What fee should I enter?
Use the fee your exchange charged on each order — commonly between 0.1% and 0.6% for spot trades, and higher for instant 'buy with card' purchases. Network withdrawal fees are separate and not included here.