How to Calculate a Stock Exit Price for a Net Profit Target

Solve for the price that meets your profit objective

Choose a desired net profit in cash or as a percentage of the opening trade value. The calculator translates it into a hypothetical exit, including the fixed costs you supply.

Distinguish entry notional, gross profit and net profit

A target price is the hypothetical sell price for a long trade or buyback price for a short trade. Entry notional is the positive entry price multiplied by shares. Net profit is gross profit less supplied round-trip charges.

Compare exit requirements across different position sizes

A fixed fee consumes a larger portion of gross profit on a smaller trade. Changing quantity alters how much price movement is needed to cover the same cash objective and charges.

Calculate a long sale or a short buyback

Target = entry ± (desired net profit + round-trip charges) ÷ shares. Add the price move for a long and subtract it for a short. In percentage mode, desired net profit equals entry notional times the supplied percentage divided by 100. If an increment is supplied, round long targets up and short targets down.

Target = entry ± (desired net profit + round-trip charges) ÷ shares

Verify the long and short cash flows

For 20 shares at 50, a net profit objective of 49 and charges of 4 require gross profit of 53. The long mathematical target is 52.65 and the short target is 47.35. A 0.10 grid gives 52.70 and 47.30 respectively. Either aligned exit yields 50 net. A 4.9% objective on 1,000 of entry notional gives the same results.

At 52.70, the long receives 1,054 after paying 1,000 for the shares. Subtract 4 in charges for 50 net. The short receives 1,000 at entry and pays 946 to buy back at 47.30. Deducting charges gives the same 50. The less favorable prices 52.60 and 47.40 each yield 48.

1. Enter 20 shares, entry 50, and charges 4.
2. Choose net cash profit and enter 49. Enter 0.10 as the price increment.
3. Compare the long and short targets and the net profit at each neighboring grid price.

Enter one objective and one complete trade

Choose long or short and a net-profit or net-return objective. Enter positive share quantity and entry price, explicit round-trip charges and an optional price increment. Use zero charges when none apply. Changing the objective mode clears its value.

Check why the adjacent price falls short

The adjacent less favorable grid price shows why one more favorable step is needed. If the grid offers no positive supported price that meets the objective, the mathematical result remains available. A zero objective represents break-even after charges.

Keep cost and percentage bases consistent

One full exit, a single currency, and the same fixed charges at either hypothetical price. The price grid is anchored at zero. The return percentage is for the whole trade and uses entry notional, including for shorts. It excludes margin and borrowing.

The short return denominator is a comparison basis. It does not represent return on collateral.

Understand price bounds and execution

Inputs allow up to 12 decimal places. Money, quantity and the increment are bounded by 1 trillion. Percent objectives range from 0% to 100%. Target prices must be positive and at most 1 trillion. Mathematical prices and return percentages can be rounded to 24 significant digits. Grid calculations use unrounded values.

A trading venue can use different price increments by price band. An order submitted at a hypothetical exit can remain unfilled.

Keep cash, percentages and quotes in their own units

Keep the objective net of the supplied charges. A long exits by selling, and a short exits by buying back. Nearest-price rounding can undershoot the objective. Use one major currency for the entry, fees and increment.

Use consistent local currency units

Use USD, GBP, CAD, AUD or INR for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or India. Convert UK pence quotes before combining them with pound-denominated charges. The model uses the supplied increment across markets.

Match the calculator to the decision

Use Stop Loss for the adverse exit implied by a loss constraint. Use Risk-to-Reward Ratio to compare an existing target and stop. Use Target Price to solve the favorable exit or fee-adjusted break-even price.

Educational scope

Educational calculation for hypothetical fills. It excludes fair value, price forecasts, tax, currency conversion, margin, venue tick schedules and execution eligibility. A limit order can remain unfilled.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and review

Sources reviewed Nov 11, 2026. Consult current local rules before relying on time-sensitive information.

• Investor.gov bulletin on limit-order execution
• CIRO guidance on order types
• London Stock Exchange GBX quote example
• SEBI risk disclosure document
• ASX equities trading