Profit and Loss Percentage Calculator
Work out profit or loss percentage from cost price and selling price to see your margin or markdown instantly, free and right in your browser.
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Before you rely on this: Estimates only — not financial, tax or legal advice. Confirm current rates, fees and rules before relying on these figures.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the cost price and the selling price.
- Read the profit or loss and the percentage.
How it works
Profit (or loss) = selling − cost; the percentage is that difference ÷ cost × 100.
Worked example
Cost $100, sell $120. Profit $20 — a 20% gain.
Common mistakes
- Dividing by the selling price — profit/loss percent is based on cost.
- Forgetting fees and other costs that eat into real profit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate profit or loss percentage?
Profit % = (selling price − cost) ÷ cost × 100. A loss shows as a negative result.
Is profit measured against cost or selling price?
Profit percentage is conventionally measured against cost; against the selling price it's called the margin, which is a different figure.
Is this the same as margin?
No — this is profit as a percentage of cost (markup). Margin is profit as a percentage of the selling price.
Related tools
- Markup to Margin Converter
- Profit Margin Calculator
- ROI Calculator
- Break-Even Calculator
- Cost Per Unit Calculator
- Gross Profit Calculator
Explore more in Finance, Business, Property & Pricing.
Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Profit and Loss Percentage Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/profit-loss-percentage-calculator/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
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