Futures Profit & Loss Calculator
Use our free futures PnL calculator to plan your entries and exits with confidence and manage each trade with precision.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose a contract. Select the futures contract you are trading and the tick size and point value will fill in automatically.
- Select your direction. Choose Long if you are buying, or Short if you are selling.
- Enter your prices. Input your entry price and your planned or actual exit price.
- Set the number of contracts. Adjust this if you are trading more than one contract.
- Add your commission (optional). Enter your rate per side to see net PnL alongside the gross figure.
- Review your results. The calculator returns your gross PnL, net PnL, points moved, and ticks moved instantly.
What Is Profit and Loss (PnL) in Futures Trading?
Profit and loss, commonly shortened to PnL, measures the dollar gain or loss on a futures trade. In futures trading, your PnL depends on three things: how far the price moved, the point value of the contract you traded, and how many contracts you held.
The basic formula is:
(Exit Price – Entry Price) x Point Value x Number of Contracts = Gross PnL
Example: Long MES trade
Say you buy one Micro E-mini S&P 500 contract (MES) at 5,900 and exit at 5,920. That is a 20-point move. The MES has a point value of $5.
20 points x $5 x 1 contract = $100 gross PnL
Gross PnL vs. Net PnL
Gross PnL is your profit or loss before any trading costs. Net PnL is what you actually keep after deducting commissions and fees.
In futures trading, commissions are charged per side, meaning you pay once to enter and once to exit. A round-trip trade involves two sides.
Here’s an example using MetroTrade’s commission rates:
You trade two MES contracts, entering at 5,900 and exiting at 5,920.
- Gross PnL: 20 points x $5 x 2 contracts = $200
- Commission: $0.29 per side x 2 sides x 2 contracts = $1.16
- Net PnL: $198.84
Improve Your Risk Management
Knowing your potential profit and loss is just the first step. The next is putting that knowledge into action. With the MetroTrader platform, you can test strategies, measure outcomes, and refine your approach in a live-market environment.
Start trading futures with MetroTrade and gain access to:
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Low intraday margins: Trade popular CME futures with less capital required.
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Powerful charting tools: Place stop and target orders directly from your charts.
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Free 30-day demo: Practice with $5,000 in simulated funds before going live.
FAQs
What is a futures profit calculator?
A futures PnL calculator helps traders estimate how much they could gain or lose on a trade based on their entry price, exit price, contract type, and number of contracts. It converts price movement into dollar terms so you can plan trades and manage risk before entering the market.
How do you calculate profit and loss in futures trading?
The formula is: (Exit Price – Entry Price) x Point Value x Number of Contracts = Gross PnL. For short trades, reverse the direction: (Entry Price – Exit Price) x Point Value x Number of Contracts. Subtract round-trip commissions from the gross figure to get your net PnL.
Does this calculator include all trading costs?
The commission field accounts for broker commissions per side. It does not include exchange fees, NFA pass-through fees, or slippage. These additional costs vary by broker and contract. Use the gross PnL figure as a starting point and factor in all costs when evaluating actual trade results.
Why is calculating profit and loss important in futures trading?
Knowing your potential PnL helps you manage risk, define position size, and set realistic trade targets. It’s one of the most important tools for disciplined trading.