Crypto Profit Calculator
Calculate your crypto gains or losses. Enter your buy price, sell price, investment amount, and exchange fees.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, tax advice, or legal advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified professional. No fiduciary or advisory relationship is created by your use of this tool. Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide, standard mathematical formulas, and publicly available data that may not be current and may not reflect your individual financial situation, applicable tax laws, or other relevant factors. Neither MayoCalc nor Cook Media Systems assumes any liability for losses, damages, or other consequences arising from the use of any information or results provided by this tool. Always consult a qualified financial advisor, certified public accountant, or attorney before making financial decisions. See our full
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How to Calculate Crypto Profit
Crypto profit is calculated the same way as any other investment: sale price minus purchase price (cost basis), minus any fees. If you bought 0.5 BTC at $40,000 ($20,000 total) and sold at $60,000 ($30,000 total), your profit is $10,000. Fees from exchanges (typically 0.1-1.5% per trade) reduce your actual profit. For tax purposes, every trade is a taxable event, including crypto-to-crypto swaps.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the amount of crypto purchased, the buy price, the sell price (or current price), and any exchange fees. The calculator shows your total profit or loss in dollars and as a percentage return. You can calculate for any cryptocurrency and compare multiple trades. For tax implications, the Capital Gains Tax Calculator estimates your tax liability.
Understanding Crypto Returns
Crypto returns are often quoted in percentage terms because the underlying prices vary so widely. A 50% gain on Bitcoin might be $30,000, while a 50% gain on a $0.10 altcoin is $0.05. Always think in terms of dollars invested and dollars returned, not just the percentage. Also account for exchange fees on both the buy and sell side, which can eat into returns significantly on frequent trades.
Crypto Profit FAQ
How is crypto taxed?
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Short-term gains (held under 1 year) are taxed as ordinary income. Long-term gains (held over 1 year) are taxed at preferential capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). You must report every taxable event: selling for fiat, swapping for another crypto, or using crypto to purchase goods/services. Simply holding crypto is not a taxable event.
Should I use FIFO or specific identification for cost basis?
FIFO (First In, First Out) assumes you sell your oldest coins first. Specific identification lets you choose which lot to sell, which can minimize taxes by selling higher-cost-basis coins first. Most exchanges default to FIFO. Specific identification requires detailed record-keeping but can save significant tax.