Break-Even Formula
\(\text{Total Cost} = (\text{Shares} \times \text{Buy Price}) + \text{Buy Fee} + \text{Sell Fee}\) \(\text{Break-Even Price} = \frac{\text{Total Cost}}{\text{Shares}}\)
Share Volume Break-Even Comparison Table ($45.00 Buy Price / $13.90 Roundtrip Fees)
| Share Volume | Raw Stock Cost | Roundtrip Fees | Net Total Cost | Required Break-Even Price | Required % Price Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Shares | $900.00 | $13.90 | $913.90 | $45.70 / share | +1.55% Price Increase |
| 50 Shares | $2,250.00 | $13.90 | $2,263.90 | $45.28 / share | +0.62% Price Increase |
| 200 Shares | $9,000.00 | $13.90 | $9,013.90 | $45.07 / share | +0.15% Price Increase |
How to Use This Break-Even Stock Price Calculator
- Select your preferred account currency from the header picker.
- Enter number of shares purchased (e.g., 200).
- Input purchase price per share (e.g., $45.00).
- Enter buy commission fee and projected sell commission fee.
- View total purchase cost, required break-even sell price, and minimum required price gain %.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do trading commissions affect break-even prices?
Both buy and sell commissions increase your net cost basis, requiring stock prices to rise slightly higher than purchase price to achieve zero net loss.
How does share volume impact the percentage required to break even?
Buying smaller share quantities makes fixed transaction fees a larger percentage of total trade cost, requiring higher percentage price gains to break even.
Are commission-free trading platforms completely fee-free?
While many brokers offer $0 equity commissions, SEC transaction fees, FINRA TAF fees, and exchange fees may still apply on sell orders.
How do bid-ask spreads affect break-even prices?
The bid-ask spread creates immediate entry slippage. To break even, the bid price must rise above your entry price plus round-trip spread and fee costs.
Can stock dividends lower your break-even price?
Yes! Cash dividends received while holding a stock lower your effective net cost basis, reducing the required break-even selling price.
What formula is used to calculate stock break-even?
Break-Even Price = [(Shares × Buy Price) + Entry Fee + Exit Fee] ÷ Shares.
Is my personal financial data saved on any server?
No. All calculations run locally inside your web browser. History and saved presets are stored strictly in your browser’s local storage.