CFD trading calculator: calculate your margin, profit and loss

How to use our CFD profit calculator

The calculator has three inputs: the points of movement, the order size per point, and the market. Here is how each one works:

1. Choose your points of movement

Points of movement represent the distance between your entry and exit price. The calculator offers options from 50 to 500 points, reflecting typical CFD price movement ranges across different timeframes. A FTSE 100 CFD trade might move 50 points in a single session; a commodity or share CFD might see 200 points over several days.

2. Select your order size

Your order size is the amount you are staking per point of movement, entered in the quote currency of the market (USD for most international markets). The calculator offers sizes from $1 to $25 per point. A $10 per point stake means you gain or lose $10 for every point the market moves from your opening price.

3. Read your margin and P&L

The calculator shows your margin requirement (the deposit needed to open the position) and your potential profit or loss at the chosen points of movement. These figures are calculated on the full position value, not just the margin. That is the core principle of leverage: you control a much larger position than your deposit, meaning losses can exceed your initial outlay.

CFD trading: key figures

How is CFD profit and loss calculated?

CFD profit and loss is calculated as the difference in price between when you opened and closed your position, multiplied by your total position size. The formula is:

P&L = (closing price - opening price) x position size

For a long (buy) position, profit occurs when closing price is above opening price.

For a short (sell) position, profit occurs when closing price is below opening price.

For example: you open a long CFD on gold at $4,050 per troy ounce with a position size of $10 per point. Gold rises 80 points to $4,130. Your profit is $10 x 80 = $800, before any spread or overnight funding costs. If gold had instead fallen 80 points to $3,970, your loss would also be $800. For UK traders exploring gold trading, these calculations help assess potential outcomes before committing real capital.

How is CFD margin calculated?

CFD margin is a percentage of the total position value required to open and maintain the position. The formula is:

Margin = total position value x margin rate

Total position value = price x position size (contracts or units)

For example: you open a FTSE 100 CFD at 10,879 with a position size of $10 per point. The total position value is 10,879 x $10 = $108,790. At a 5% margin rate, your required margin is $5,439.50. Our full margin rates are available on our charges page.

What costs does the CFD calculator not include?

The calculator shows the gross margin and P&L for the trade. It does not include:

These costs can materially affect the economics of a trade held for multiple sessions. A gold futures trade, for example, avoids overnight funding because the funding cost is priced into the futures contract rather than charged daily, making it more cost-efficient than the equivalent spot gold CFD for positions held over weeks.

CFD calculation examples

Example 1: equity index CFD (FTSE 100)

Example 2: commodity CFD (gold)

For a broader view of which commodity markets traders are most active in, the best commodities to trade covers gold, oil, silver and others with current market context.

CFD calculator FAQs