Stock Break-Even Calculator
Finds the exact sell price where a stock trade breaks even after buy/sell fees, plus the % move needed to get there.
Break-Even Price (Including Fees)
Live tooltotal cost $5,000.00 · fees $0.00
No move needed — you break even at your entry price.
With no fees, your breakeven is simply your entry price.
How it works
Most “break even” answers online ignore fees and tell you your breakeven is just your entry price. It isn’t — you pay to get in and you pay to get out, and both costs have to be earned back before a trade is profitable. Enter your purchase price, the number of shares, and the total dollar fees on each side of the trade. The calculator shows your total cost, your round-trip fees, the exact sell price where the trade breaks even, and the percentage the stock must move from your entry to get there. If you have collected cash dividends while holding, add them as an optional offset — they lower the price you need in a total-return sense.
The formula
Total cost = (entry price × shares) + buy fees
Total fees = buy fees + sell fees
Breakeven price = ((entry price × shares) + buy fees + sell fees − dividends received) ÷ shares
Breakeven move % = ((breakeven price − entry price) ÷ entry price) × 100
Where does the breakeven formula come from? Breaking even means your sale proceeds after sell fees exactly recover your total cost, less any dividends already collected: (breakeven × shares) − sell fees = total cost − dividends. Solving for the breakeven price gives the formula above. A positive move % means the stock must rise; a negative move % means the position breaks even even if the stock falls that much — possible when dividends exceed fees.
Worked example
Scenario A — fees only, no dividends
Inputs: entry $50.00, 100 shares, $5.00 buy fees, $5.00 sell fees, $0 dividends.
- Share cost = $50.00 × 100 = $5,000.00
- Total cost = $5,000.00 + $5.00 = $5,005.00
- Total fees = $5.00 + $5.00 = $10.00
- Amount to recover at sale = $5,005.00 + $5.00 − $0 = $5,010.00
- Breakeven price = $5,010.00 ÷ 100 = $50.10
- Breakeven move % = (($50.10 − $50.00) ÷ $50.00) × 100 = 0.20% — the stock must rise 0.20% just to cover the $10 round-trip fees.
Scenario B — same trade with dividends
Same inputs, but $25.00 in dividends received.
- Amount to recover = $5,005.00 + $5.00 − $25.00 = $4,985.00
- Breakeven price = $4,985.00 ÷ 100 = $49.85
- Breakeven move % = (($49.85 − $50.00) ÷ $50.00) × 100 = −0.30% — the position breaks even even if the stock falls 0.30%, because the $25 of dividends more than covers the $10 of fees.
Frequently asked questions
What is the break-even price of a stock trade?
It is the sell price at which your sale proceeds, after sell-side fees, exactly equal what you spent to buy the shares including buy-side fees. Selling above it produces a gain; selling below it produces a loss.
How do trading fees change my breakeven?
Fees raise it. With no fees your breakeven equals your entry price; every dollar of round-trip fees adds (total fees ÷ shares) per share to the price you must reach before the trade is profitable.
Do dividends lower my break-even price?
In a total-return sense, yes — cash dividends you have already received offset part of your cost, so the calculator subtracts them. Note that dividends are generally taxable in the US, and this tool does not model taxes.
Is this the same as an options breakeven?
No. This tool covers buying and selling shares of stock with fees. An option's breakeven depends on the strike price and premium — use the Options Profit Calculator for that.
Why is my breakeven % move bigger than my fee percentage on one side?
Because you pay fees twice — once to buy and once to sell. The breakeven move reflects the full round trip, spread across your share count and measured from your entry price.
Does this calculator include capital gains taxes?
No. It computes a pre-tax breakeven. US capital gains taxes apply to profits when you sell, and rates vary by holding period and income (as of 2026) — taxes are a separate calculation.
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Disclaimer
Educational estimates only — this tool is for learning and planning, not personalized investment advice. Results are pre-tax: US capital gains and dividend taxes are out of scope for this tool. Commissions and fees vary by broker and order type, so check your broker’s actual fee schedule. The dividend offset is a total-return convenience — it is not an official cost-basis adjustment for tax purposes. Calculations assume US markets and amounts in USD.