What is ROI?
Return on investment measures profit as a percentage of the amount you invested.
ROI Calculator
See how strongly an investment performed by comparing total gain against what you spent.
Enter cost and gain
Provide the amount invested and the total value or proceeds received.
About this calculator
How to use ROI Calculator, plus the formulas and logic behind the results.
Tool description
ROI expresses profit relative to cost as a percentage. Net profit is the dollar difference between gain and cost.
How to use
- Enter the original investment cost.
- Enter the total gain or final value received.
- Select Calculate to view ROI and net profit.
- Compare results across scenarios with Clear and new inputs.
Formulas & reference
Net profit = gain − costROI = (gain − cost) ÷ cost × 100
ROI tips
- Positive ROI means a profit
- Negative ROI means a loss
- Compare similar time periods when ranking deals
- Cost must be greater than zero
Calculation logic
Net profit is gain minus cost. ROI divides that profit by cost and scales by 100. A zero or non-positive cost is rejected.
Gain means total proceeds or ending value, not profit alone. A loss produces a negative ROI.
ROI Calculator FAQ
Common questions about the calculation and how to interpret the estimate.
How do you calculate ROI?
Subtract cost from gain, divide by cost, and multiply by 100.
What is net profit here?
Net profit is gain minus cost in dollars.
Can ROI be negative?
Yes. If gain is less than cost, ROI and net profit are negative.
Is gain the profit or the total value?
Enter the total value or proceeds. The calculator subtracts cost for you.
Why can’t cost be zero?
Dividing by zero is undefined, so ROI needs a positive investment cost.