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Finance Calculators

Holding Period Return Calculator

Verified formula Updated Jun 2026 Private — runs on your device

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Verified formula Private

Holding period return

25.00%

For general information only — not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Verify before you rely on it.

How to use the Holding Period Return Calculator

The Holding Period Return Calculator works out your holding period return in an instant. Enter purchase price, sale price and income received (dividends, etc.) and the result updates as you type — it is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser so your figures stay private.

  1. Enter the purchase price.
  2. Enter the sale price.
  3. Enter the income received (dividends, etc.).
  4. Read off your holding period return — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.

Formula

The Holding Period Return Calculator uses the formula:

Holding period return = (Sale price - Purchase price + Income received (dividends, etc.)) ÷ Purchase price × 100

Worked example

For example, with purchase price of 1,000, sale price of 1,200 and income received (dividends, etc.) of 50, the holding period return is 25.00%.

Inputs used
Purchase price 1,000
Sale price 1,200
Income received (dividends, etc.) 50
Results
Holding period return 25.00%

Results are estimates for educational use, not professional advice.

Frequently asked questions

It is the total return over the time you held an investment: price gain plus income, divided by the purchase price. 1000 to 1200 with 50 income is 25%.

Yes. Any income such as dividends or interest is added to the price gain for the full return.

No. It is the total return over the whole period, not per year. Annualising requires the holding length.

Yes. If the sale price plus income is less than the purchase price, the return is negative.

The Holding Period Return Calculator uses the formula: Holding period return = (Sale price - Purchase price + Income received (dividends, etc.)) ÷ Purchase price × 100. For example, with purchase price of 1,000, sale price of 1,200 and income received (dividends, etc.) of 50, the holding period return is 25.00%.

Enter the purchase price. Enter the sale price. Enter the income received (dividends, etc.). Read off your holding period return — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.

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