How to calculate a target exit price
Start from the net profit you want to keep. That target is a percentage of your cost basis (entry × quantity), and your exit also has to cover any round-trip fees. So the gross move you need is your desired net profit plus fees, spread across every unit you hold. For a long position:
Exit price = Entry + (Net% × Cost + fees) / (quantity × multiplier)
For a short position the sign flips — you profit when the price falls — so the same required move is subtracted from your entry. The desired gain is treated as a net return, meaning the exit price is nudged high enough that fees come out of the broker's pocket, not your target.
Worked example
You buy 100 shares at $100 and want a 10% net gain.
Cost = 100 × $100 = $10,000. Target net profit = 10% × $10,000 = $1,000.
Move needed = $1,000 / 100 = $10, so exit price = $110.
Add $50 in fees: gross needed = $1,050, move = $10.50, exit = $110.50.
Setting realistic targets
A target price is only useful if the market can plausibly reach it. Compare the required move against the asset's typical daily range and recent support or resistance — a 50% gain on a blue-chip stock may need months, while the same figure on a volatile crypto might print in a week. Factoring fees into the target keeps the exit honest, and pairing it with a stop loss gives you a risk/reward ratio you can actually judge before you enter the trade.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate the exit price for a target profit?
- Decide the net return you want on your cost basis (entry × quantity). The profit you need is that percentage of the cost, plus any fees. Divide it by the number of units to get the price move per share, then add it to your entry for a long (or subtract it for a short). This calculator does all of that instantly.
- Is the desired gain percentage before or after fees?
- After fees. The target percentage is treated as a net return on your cost basis, so the calculator raises the required exit price enough to cover your round-trip fees on top of the profit you actually want to keep.
- How does the target price work for a short position?
- On a short you profit when the price falls, so the calculator subtracts the required price move from your entry instead of adding it. Use the Long / Short toggle and the exit price needed flips automatically.
- Can I use it for crypto and futures?
- Yes. Crypto supports fractional quantities and small decimal prices. For futures, set the contract multiplier (for example 50 for the E-mini S&P 500) so the dollar amounts and exit price are correct. Forex is coming soon.