Crypto prices are quoted in dollars per coin, but you usually buy a dollar amount — “$1,000 of Bitcoin” — and pay percentage fees on both sides of the trade. That makes it surprisingly easy to misjudge what a price move means for your wallet. This calculator converts your dollar investment into coins, applies the fees exactly, and shows your profit, the break-even price and the price you would need for a target return.
How to use the crypto profit calculator
- Enter the amount invested — the total cash you spent, fee included.
- Enter the buy price and the sell price per coin. Tiny prices such as 0.0000123 are fine.
- Enter the exchange’s buy fee and sell fee as percentages, and any flat network or withdrawal fees in dollars.
- Optionally set a target profit to see the sell price you need, and a tax rate to estimate what you keep.
Crypto profit formulas
Setting R to zero gives the break-even price.
Worked example
You invest $1,000 in a coin at $30,000, paying a 0.6% fee, and later sell at $45,000, paying 0.6% again.
Buy fee = $6.00 → coins = 994 ÷ 30,000 = 0.03313333
Sale value = 0.03313333 × 45,000 = $1,491.00; sell fee = $8.95
Profit = 1,491.00 − 8.95 − 1,000 = $482.05, a 48.21% return
Break-even price = 1,000 ÷ (0.03313333 × 0.994) = $30,363.27
The coin rose 50%, but your return is 48.21% because $14.95 of fees came out along the way. To double your money you would need to sell at about $60,727, not $60,000.
Taxes on crypto gains
Under long-standing IRS guidance, cryptocurrency is property, not currency. Each sale, swap or purchase made with crypto is a disposal, and the gain or loss is the difference between what you received and your cost basis — including fees. Key points:
- Holding period matters. Coins held more than one year get long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15% or 20% in 2026); one year or less is taxed as ordinary income.
- Crypto-to-crypto trades count. Swapping one token for another is taxable even though no dollars changed hands.
- Losses are useful. Realized losses offset gains, and up to $3,000 of net loss a year offsets other income.
- Records matter. Brokers report sales on Form 1099-DA, with cost basis for covered assets starting with 2026 transactions. Coins moved between wallets and exchanges may arrive at the new broker without basis information.
Estimate the bill precisely with the capital gains tax calculator. If you bought at several prices, find your blended entry with the average cost calculator.
Fees worth checking
| Cost | Where it hides |
|---|---|
| Trading fee | A percentage of each order; often lower for limit orders than market orders |
| Spread | The gap between buy and sell quotes on “instant buy” screens |
| Network (gas) fee | Charged by the blockchain when you move coins between wallets |
| Withdrawal fee | A flat amount some exchanges charge to send coins or cash out |
This calculator is for estimates only and is not investment or tax advice. Crypto assets are highly volatile and can lose most or all of their value.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate crypto profit?
Subtract the buy fee from the amount you invest and divide by the buy price to get the coins you received. Multiply the coins by the sell price, subtract the sell fee and any network fees to get your proceeds. Profit is proceeds minus the original amount invested.
Why do I lose money if the price hasn't moved?
Fees are charged on both the purchase and the sale. With a 0.6% fee each way, a coin must rise about 1.2% just to break even. Spreads — the gap between the buy and sell quotes on simple-trade apps — add a hidden cost on top of any listed fee.
Is crypto profit taxable?
Yes. The IRS treats digital assets as property, so selling, trading one coin for another or spending crypto triggers a capital gain or loss. Gains on coins held more than a year qualify for long-term rates of 0%, 15% or 20%; shorter holdings are taxed as ordinary income.
What is Form 1099-DA?
It is the IRS form that crypto brokers use to report digital asset sales. Brokers must report gross proceeds for sales on or after January 1, 2025, and cost basis for covered assets beginning with 2026 sales, which makes accurate records of your purchase prices more important than ever.