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Free Online Profit Calculator for Students & Business

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How to Calculate Profit and Profit Percentage Step by Step

Profit Calculator – Free Online Tool with Formula, Steps & Examples | Vedantu

Profit Calculator

What is Profit Calculator?

A Profit Calculator is a simple online tool designed to help you determine the profit or loss earned on selling an item, simply by entering the cost price (CP) and selling price (SP). It instantly tells you not only how much profit (or loss) was made but also the corresponding profit percentage, making it a powerful utility for students, shopkeepers, exam aspirants, and business professionals who regularly deal with sales transactions or maths problems related to profit and loss.


Formula or Logic Behind Profit Calculator

The Profit Calculator works on very basic arithmetic formulas:

  • Profit (or Gain) = Selling Price (SP) − Cost Price (CP)
  • Profit Percentage = (Profit / Cost Price) × 100
  • If your result is negative, it means you have incurred a Loss:
  • Loss = Cost Price (CP) − Selling Price (SP)
  • Loss Percentage = (Loss / Cost Price) × 100

With these formulas, the calculator helps you find out if you're making a profit or loss, and by what margin. This is essential for business maths, competitive exams, and everyday trading scenarios.


Examples of Profit, Loss & Percentage

Cost Price (CP) Selling Price (SP) Profit/Loss Profit/Loss %
100 120 Profit = 20 20%
450 540 Profit = 90 20%
200 160 Loss = 40 20%
500 500 No Profit or Loss 0%
350 385 Profit = 35 10%

Steps to Use the Profit Calculator

  • Enter the Cost Price (CP) and Selling Price (SP) in the input fields above.
  • Click on the 'Calculate Profit' button.
  • View instant results for Profit or Loss and the percentage, along with stepwise calculation.

Why Use Vedantu’s Profit Calculator?

Vedantu’s Profit Calculator is user-friendly, fast, and mobile-responsive. It’s trusted by lakhs of students, parents, shopkeepers, and business owners every year for accurate profit/loss calculations in maths exams, commerce homework, and real trading situations. You don’t need to remember complicated formulas; just enter your values for instant, step-by-step answers. Plus, all calculations are based on NCERT, CBSE, and competitive exam standards.


Real-life Applications of Profit Calculator

The Profit Calculator is widely used to:

  • Quickly check profit, loss, or margin for items bought and sold in a shop or market
  • Solve school, college, or entrance exam problems related to profit and loss
  • Evaluate business deals and product pricing for maximum returns
  • Help buyers and sellers compare bargain deals, discounts, or resale value
  • Assist students and parents with maths assignments and practical applications of arithmetic

For example, if you are preparing for commerce exams or working as a small business owner, this calculator helps you decide selling prices to achieve a target profit percentage. Even in daily life, you can use it to see if you're getting a good deal while selling old books, electronics, or vehicles.


For further exploration, you can try Vedantu’s markup, prime numbers, and factors calculators for more maths and business topics. You might also be interested in understanding profit & loss percentage or deepen your basics at algebra.

FAQs on Free Online Profit Calculator for Students & Business

1. What is the formula for calculating profit?

Profit is calculated by subtracting the cost price (CP) from the selling price (SP). The formula is: Profit = Selling Price (SP) - Cost Price (CP). A positive result indicates profit, while a negative result indicates a loss.

2. How do I calculate profit percentage?

Profit percentage shows the profit as a percentage of the cost price. The formula is: Profit Percentage = (Profit / Cost Price) * 100. For example, if the profit is ₹50 and the cost price is ₹100, the profit percentage is 50%.

3. What is the difference between profit and profit margin?

Profit is the absolute monetary gain from a sale (SP - CP). Profit margin is the profit expressed as a percentage of the revenue (selling price). Profit margin provides a relative measure of profitability.

4. How can I use a profit calculator to find the selling price if I know the cost price and desired profit?

Many profit calculators allow you to input the cost price and desired profit (or profit percentage). The calculator then computes the required selling price to achieve that profit. Simply input your known values and solve for the unknown.

5. What is the difference between gross profit and net profit?

Gross profit is the revenue minus the direct costs of goods sold. Net profit is the gross profit minus all other business expenses (like operating costs, taxes, and interest). Net profit represents the overall profit after all expenses are accounted for.

6. How do I calculate profit when dealing with multiple items?

To calculate profit for multiple items, first calculate the total cost price (sum of all individual cost prices) and the total selling price (sum of all individual selling prices). Then, subtract the total cost price from the total selling price to find the total profit.

7. What are some real-world examples of profit calculation?

Profit calculations are used extensively in various fields:
  • Retail businesses determine the markup on products to achieve a target profit margin.
  • Manufacturing companies calculate profit per unit produced to assess the efficiency of their operations.
  • Investors use profit calculations to evaluate the return on their investments.

8. What is the significance of understanding profit calculation in business?

Understanding profit calculation is crucial for business success. It allows businesses to:
  • Set appropriate pricing strategies
  • Control costs and expenses
  • Measure the profitability of products/services
  • Make informed business decisions
Accurate profit calculations are vital for financial planning and long-term sustainability.

9. Can I use this profit calculator for tax purposes?

While this calculator can help you understand profit, it is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Consult a tax professional for accurate tax calculations and compliance with applicable tax laws.

10. How do I calculate profit if I have discounts or returns?

When calculating profit with discounts or returns, you must adjust the selling price accordingly. Subtract the discount amount from the original selling price before calculating the profit. For returns, deduct the cost price of the returned items from your overall cost price.

11. What if my selling price is lower than my cost price?

If your selling price is less than your cost price, you have a loss, not a profit. The formula remains the same (Profit = SP - CP), but the result will be a negative number representing the amount of the loss.