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BREAK-EVEN

Break-Even Capital Calculator

Calculate the minimum monthly profit needed to cover brokerage, STT, GST, and all trading costs at your trading frequency. Know when trading stops being a cost center.

Calculate the minimum monthly profit needed to cover brokerage, STT, GST, and all trading costs at your trading frequency. Know when trading stops being a cost center.

  • Get an instant result with the exact inputs that matter for this metric.
  • Compare scenarios quickly (best case vs worst case) before taking action.
  • Understand what the output means and how traders/investors use it in practice.
  • Use it for planning and education — no login required.

Break-Even Capital Calculator

Segment

Data, charting, etc.

Monthly Total Cost

₹3,910

Cost per Trade

₹96

0.096% of trade value

Annual Drag

₹46,923

Min Profit per Month

₹3,910

Just to break even!

Cost Breakdown per Trade

Brokerage₹20
STT (Securities Transaction Tax)₹63
Exchange Transaction Charges₹5
GST (18% on brokerage + exchange)₹5
SEBI Turnover Charges₹0
Stamp Duty₹3

DETAILS

About this Break-Even Capital Calculator

This section explains what the calculator does, what goes into the result, and how to interpret the output so you can apply it confidently.

What this tool does

Purpose

This calculator turns a few key inputs into a clear output you can act on — a number that traders and investors commonly use for planning and decision-making.

Use it to compare scenarios quickly and to understand the trade-offs behind the final result.

When it is helpful

  • To sanity-check assumptions before committing money.
  • To compare two or more scenarios side-by-side (conservative vs aggressive).
  • To convert a “feel” into a number you can plan around.
  • To learn what the metric means and how it is used in practice.

How to read the result

Interpretation

Treat the output as a planning number. Small changes in inputs (time, rate, price, quantity, risk, or cashflows) can change the outcome meaningfully — so keep assumptions realistic.

If the tool returns multiple outputs, focus on the ones that drive decisions (e.g., net result, breakeven, or risk-adjusted value), not just the biggest number.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using overly optimistic return assumptions.
  • Ignoring fees/taxes where they matter.
  • Optimizing precision instead of making a better decision.
  • Treating the result as a prediction instead of a plan.

Example calculations and results

Example 1 (options trading costs)

Options, 20 trades/mo, Avg trade value ₹1,00,000, Brokerage ₹20, Other monthly ₹2,000

Cost per trade₹96
Monthly total cost₹3,910
Annual drag₹46,923
Min profit/month to break even₹3,910

Graphical view

Per trade
₹96
Monthly
₹3,910
Annual
₹46,923

Example 2 (high-frequency intraday costs)

Intraday equity, 60 trades/mo, Avg trade value ₹1,50,000, Brokerage ₹20, Other monthly ₹1,000

Cost per trade₹72
Monthly total cost₹5,311
Annual drag₹63,737
Min profit/month to break even₹5,311

Graphical view

Per trade
₹72
Monthly
₹5,311
Annual
₹63,737

HOW IT WORKS

Simple steps to get your result

1

Select Segment

Choose options, futures, intraday equity, or delivery to get accurate charge rates.

2

Enter Trade Frequency

Input trades per month, average trade value, and brokerage rate.

3

See Your Cost Drag

Get total monthly cost, per-trade cost breakdown, and the minimum profit needed to break even.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why does STT hurt options traders so much?+

STT on options exercise is charged on the full intrinsic value at expiry, not just the premium paid. This means exercising an OTM option can cost more in STT than the option is worth. Most traders square off before expiry to avoid this.

Is brokerage the biggest cost for traders?+

For high-frequency traders, STT and exchange charges often exceed brokerage. For options sellers, STT on exercise is the largest single cost. Understanding your cost structure is essential for profitability.

What are exchange transaction charges?+

NSE and BSE charge transaction fees on each trade. For equity: 0.00345% per side. For futures: 0.002% of contract value. For options: 0.00535% of premium. These may seem tiny but add up quickly with volume.

How can I reduce my trading cost drag?+

Use discount brokers (Zerodha, Dhan, Upstox) with ₹20 flat brokerage. Avoid trading near expiry to skip exercise STT. For delivery trading, transaction costs are much lower per trade.

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