Break-Even Stock Price Calculator
Find the exact price at which your trade stops losing money — and the price you need for the profit you actually want. Includes averaging down across two purchases.
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How to use this calculator
- Enter buy price per share
- Enter shares bought
- Enter total charges — Brokerage and other charges for both buying and selling. (optional — leave it as it is if it does not apply)
- Enter second purchase price — Leave at 0 if you only bought once. (optional — leave it as it is if it does not apply)
- Enter shares bought again (optional — leave it as it is if it does not apply)
- Enter profit you want — The calculator works out the price that delivers this. (optional — leave it as it is if it does not apply)
- Read the result — it updates as you type.
The formula used
Break-even = (Total spent + Charges) ÷ Total shares
- Total spent
- Every purchase added together
- Charges
- Brokerage and other costs, both sides
Averaging down: average price = total spent ÷ total shares. Buying more at a lower price reduces the average, which lowers the break-even.
Target price = (total spent + charges + profit wanted) ÷ total shares.
Worked example
You bought 100 shares at ₹500 and expect ₹150 of total charges.
- Total spent₹50,000
- Charges₹150
- Break-even = (₹50,000 + ₹150) ÷ 100 = ₹501.50
- For ₹10,000 profit: (₹50,000 + ₹150 + ₹10,000) ÷ 100 = ₹601.50
The share must rise 0.3% just to cover charges, and 20.3% to make ₹10,000.
Break-even, averaging, and a warning
Every trade starts slightly under water: you have paid charges but the share has not moved. Break-even is the price at which those charges are recovered.
Averaging down cuts both ways
Buying more of a falling share lowers your average price and your break-even, which makes recovery look easier. It also increases the amount at risk in a position that is already going against you. Lowering a break-even is not the same as improving an investment.
The percentage trap
A share that falls 50% must rise 100% to get back to where it started. Break-even arithmetic gets harder the further a position falls — which is exactly when averaging feels most tempting.
Tips and common mistakes
Getting more out of it
- Work out the target price for the profit you actually want, not just break-even — the second figure is the one to set an alert at.
- If you are considering buying more, enter both purchases to see the true blended average.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating your purchase price as break-even and forgetting charges sit on top.
- Averaging down to make the break-even look reachable, rather than because the investment is still sound.
- Assuming a 50% fall needs a 50% rise to recover — it needs 100%.
Frequently asked questions
What is break-even price?
The sell price at which you make exactly zero after all costs. Below it you lose money even if the share is above your purchase price.
Should I average down?
Only if you would buy the share at that price with fresh money, on its own merits. If the answer is no, you are averaging to avoid admitting a loss, not to invest.
What charges should I include?
Everything for both legs: brokerage on buy and sell, STT, exchange fees, GST, stamp duty and DP charges. The Brokerage Calculator can total these for you.
Does this account for tax?
No. Break-even here is before capital gains tax, which applies only once you are in profit.
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