Crypto trading looks simple — buy low, sell high — but the profit that actually lands in your account depends on fees, timing and precise record-keeping. This calculator separates the headline price move from your real return.
The real equation
Profit is proceeds minus cost minus fees. Each of those terms matters: proceeds shrink with sell fees, cost grows with buy fees, and quantity scales everything. Getting the arithmetic right is the difference between celebrating a price rise and understanding what you actually earned.
Fees are the silent tax
Exchanges charge on both sides of a trade, and active traders pay those costs hundreds of times. On small or frequent trades, fees can turn a profitable strategy into a losing one — always net them out before judging performance.
Records and taxes
Realized gains are generally taxable, and regulators increasingly expect precise tracking of cost basis and dates. Treating each trade as a documented transaction — not a lottery ticket — is what keeps crypto profits as real as any other investment return.
Frequently asked questions
Profit = (sell price × quantity) − (buy price × quantity) − fees. This calculator also shows ROI and the underlying price gain.
Yes — on frequent trades they compound dramatically. The calculator's fee fields make the gap between the price move and your actual profit visible.
In most jurisdictions, yes — realized gains from selling crypto are taxable events. Keep records of every trade and consult a professional for your situation.