Profit and loss, with real numbers
Percentages can be confusing. Here every one is turned into dollars, so you can see exactly what happens to your money.
Updated Oct 31, 2026
Basahin sa FilipinoWhat does "+10%" or "−10%" mean for my money?
It is how much your money grew or shrank, out of every $100.
| Change | $100 becomes | $1,000 becomes |
|---|---|---|
| +10% | $110 | $1,100 |
| +50% | $150 | $1,500 |
| −10% | $90 | $900 |
| −50% | $50 | $500 |
How do I work out my profit?
- 1Take what your coins are worth now: say $130.
- 2Take away what you paid: $100.
- 3What is left is your profit: $30.
- 4For the percentage, divide the profit by what you paid: $30 ÷ $100 = 30%.
If the answer is negative, it is a loss: worth $80, paid $100, so −$20 (−20%).
Why does a 50% loss need a 100% gain to get back?
Because after a loss you have less money to grow. $100 down 50% is $50, and $50 has to double to get back to $100.
| If you lose | You have left of $100 | To get back to $100 you need |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $90 | +11% |
| 25% | $75 | +33% |
| 50% | $50 | +100% |
| 75% | $25 | +300% |
| 90% | $10 | +900% |
Avoiding big losses matters more than chasing big wins.
What if I buy the same coin twice at different prices?
Your price becomes the average of what you paid for all your coins.
| You buy | Price per coin | Coins you get |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $50 | 2 coins |
| $100 | $25 | 4 coins |
| Total: $200 | Average $33.33 | 6 coins |
Now, if the price climbs back to just $40, your 6 coins are worth $240: you are up $40, even though $40 is below your first buy.
If the price went up but I have not sold, did I make money?
Not yet. Until you sell, it is a paper profit (also called unrealised). It becomes real (realised) when you sell.
| What happens | Your $100 of coin | Your profit |
|---|---|---|
| The coin rises 30% | worth $130 | +$30 on paper |
| You sell now | $130 cash | +$30, locked in |
| Or you wait, and it falls back | worth $90 | the +$30 is gone; now −$10 |