Work out where to place a stop-loss and what it will cost you if it is hit. Choose a percentage, a risk per share, a total amount to risk or a stop price, for long or short trades, and see the trailing stop levels as the price moves in your favor. For planning only, not trading advice.
Last updated:
Trade
Position
$
Decimals allowed for crypto or fractional shares.
Stop-loss
Set the stop by
%
$
$
$
Optional
%
Used for the trailing-stop table; 0 to skip.
$
Shows the loss as a % of your account.
$
Added to the loss when the stop fills.
$
Optional, for the reward-to-risk ratio.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Stop Loss Calculator
Pick long or short and enter your entry price and number of shares or units.
Choose how to set the stop: a percentage, an amount per share, a total amount you are willing to lose, or a price.
Optionally add a trailing distance, your account size, a commission and a take-profit price.
Press Calculate to see the stop price, the loss per share and per position, and the trailing stop table.
Stop-loss formulas
Long stop price = entry × (1 − stop % ÷ 100), or entry − risk per share
Short stop price = entry × (1 + stop % ÷ 100), or entry + risk per share
Risk per share from a total budget = (amount to risk − commission) ÷ shares
Position loss = risk per share × shares + commission
Trailing stop (long) = highest price since entry × (1 − trail %); it only moves up
Trailing stop (short) = lowest price since entry × (1 + trail %); it only moves down
Example: 200 shares bought at $50
Stop distance
Stop price
Loss per share
Position loss
% of a $25,000 account
3%
$48.50
$1.50
$300
1.2%
5%
$47.50
$2.50
$500
2.0%
8%
$46.00
$4.00
$800
3.2%
10%
$45.00
$5.00
$1,000
4.0%
15%
$42.50
$7.50
$1,500
6.0%
If a 10% stop makes sense for the chart but $1,000 is too much to lose, the fix is fewer shares, not a tighter stop. The position size calculator does that the other way round.
Practical tips
Place stops where the idea is wrong, such as just beyond support or resistance, rather than at a round percentage chosen at random.
Leave room for normal noise. A stop tighter than the stock's typical daily range is likely to be hit by ordinary swings.
Remember gaps. Overnight news can open the price well past your stop, so the planned loss is a minimum, not a cap.
Losses compound against you. A 20% loss needs a 25% gain to get back to even; see the loss recovery calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a stop-loss price?
For a long position, stop price = entry price × (1 − stop %). For a short position, stop price = entry price × (1 + stop %). An 8% stop on a $50 stock is $50 × 0.92 = $46.
How much will I lose if the stop is hit?
Loss = (entry − stop) × number of shares, plus any commission. Stopping out of 200 shares bought at $50 with a $46 stop loses $4 × 200 = $800 before fees. Gaps and fast markets can fill a stop order below the stop price, so the real loss can be larger.
How do I set a stop from a dollar amount I am willing to lose?
Divide the amount by the number of shares to get the risk per share, then subtract it from the entry price (or add it for a short). Risking $500 on 200 shares gives $2.50 per share, so a $50 entry needs a $47.50 stop.
What is a trailing stop?
A trailing stop follows the price at a fixed distance. For a long trade with a 10% trail, the stop sits 10% below the highest price reached and never moves down. If the stock climbs from $50 to $60 the stop rises from $45 to $54, locking in $4 per share.
What percentage should a stop-loss be?
There is no single right number. Many traders size the stop from the chart, such as below a recent low, and then choose the position size so the loss is a small share of the account; risking 1–2% of the account per trade is a widely used guideline.
Is a stop-loss guaranteed?
A standard stop order becomes a market order once the stop price is touched, so it will usually fill but not always at the stop price. A stop-limit order controls the price but may not fill at all. Some brokers offer guaranteed stops for a fee.
Is this financial advice?
No. The calculator only does the arithmetic for prices and amounts you choose. It runs in your browser and does not recommend any trade.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.