How futures P&L is calculated
Profit or loss on a futures trade is (exit price minus entry price) × point value × number of contracts, with the sign flipped for a short. Then subtract commissions and fees for every contract, both in and out. That last part is what separates the number on your platform's "unrealized" column from what lands in your account.
There is no cost of carry, no financing and no borrow fee on a futures trade. What you pay is commission, exchange fees, NFA fees and the bid-ask spread on entry and exit. For day traders the spread is one tick on liquid contracts like ES and NQ, which the calculator treats as part of your entry and exit prices.
Worked examples
- Long 2 ES from 5000.00 to 5010.00: 10 pts × $50 × 2 = $1,000 gross. Minus $4 × 2 commissions = $992 net.
- Short 5 MNQ from 18,250.00 to 18,230.00: 20 pts × $2 × 5 = $200 gross, minus $2 × 5 = $190 net.
- Long 1 CL from 78.40 to 77.90: a $0.50 move against you, 50 ticks × $10 = $500 loss, plus commission.
- Long 1 MGC from 2,350.0 to 2,362.5: 12.5 × $10 = $125 gross.
Why "points" and "ticks" both matter
Traders talk in points on index futures, in dollars or cents on crude and gold, and in 32nds on treasuries. The calculator converts all of them the same way: price difference × point value. It shows ticks as well because stops and targets on most platforms are set in ticks, and because a tick is the smallest unit your fill can differ from your intent.
Taxes
In the US, regulated futures contracts fall under Section 1256 and are taxed 60% long-term, 40% short-term regardless of holding period, with mark-to-market at year end. This calculator shows pre-tax figures. Keep your broker's 1099-B; it reports the net.