How do I find profit percentage?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

The basic formula

To find profit percentage, first calculate your profit by subtracting total cost from total revenue. Then divide the profit by your total cost and multiply by 100. The result shows how much you earned compared with what you spent.

Use the same cost basis every time, including the purchase price, cleaning supplies, repairs, and shipping costs you paid. Leaving out costs makes the percentage look better than it really is, so track expenses for each item.

• Profit equals sale revenue minus total cost
• Profit percentage equals profit divided by total cost, times 100
• Example: $60 sale, $40 total cost, $20 profit, 50 percent
• Use the same cost rules across all flips so you can compare fairly

Losses and negative results

If your sale is lower than your cost, the same formula gives a negative percentage, which signals a loss. A result of negative 10 percent means you got back 10 percent less than you spent.

A percentage alone can hide small dollar amounts. A 100 percent return on a $3 item is $3 of profit, while a 20 percent return on a $300 item is $60. Look at both the percentage and the dollars before deciding what to buy.

Keeping it consistent

Record each item's cost and sale price in a spreadsheet so you can calculate percentages later. Consistent tracking helps you see which categories earn the best return over time.

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