Depending on what version of the app you’re using, you’ll see either the following average cost calculation or the previous average cost calculation when looking at stocks, ETFs, and options. Retirement accounts use the previous calculation regardless of app version. For the crypto average cost calculation, review Crypto average cost.

Robinhood defines average cost as the cost per share of your current open position. It is used to calculate the unrealized profit or loss of your current position. The tax cost basis is different. Wash sales executed before 2024 are included in the average cost.

The average cost is also an input to the total return calculation:

Total return = (Market price - Average cost) * Total shares

$513.11 = ($3,522.50 - $3,419.88) * 5 (calculation may reflect sub-penny rounding)

The average cost is used as a reference point for estimating unrealized gains, and isn’t intended for determining your realized gain or loss for tax reporting purposes. If the average cost calculation changes, you’ll see a tooltip explaining the change. You can also read our disclosures at the bottom of the stock, ETF, or options detail pages to see how average cost is defined.

Average cost isn’t the same as the tax cost basis.

The tax cost basis is the original cost of an asset or investment, adjusted for applicable trading fees, corporate action activity, or a wash sale, for tax purposes. The default method for your Robinhood account is first-in, first-out (FIFO), which is selling the shares you bought first. The shares themselves aren’t specifically tracked, but the cost associated with those shares is expensed first. Check out Cost basis for more details.

The average cost or credit calculation may not always include the following:

• Trading fees
• Adjustments due to wash sales
• Corporate actions
• Asset transfers through Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATs)

The tax cost basis is the original cost of an asset or investment, adjusted for applicable trading fees, corporate action activity, or a wash sale, for tax purposes. The default method for your Robinhood account is first-in, first-out (FIFO), which is selling the shares you bought first. The shares themselves aren’t specifically tracked, but the cost associated with those shares is expensed first. Check out Cost basis for more details.

You can also review your account statements and tax documents for more insight into your historical cost basis.

Robinhood doesn’t provide tax advice. For specific questions, consult a tax professional.

If you’re using an earlier app version for stocks, ETFs, and options trading, or reviewing your Retirement account positions, Average Cost will be displayed as the weighted average amount paid for shares (buys).

Average cost = Total notional value spent​ ÷ Total quantity purchased

This is the calculation we use for all trades in retirement accounts today, regardless of which app version you’re using.

This version of average cost is calculated based on buy orders only. It doesn't change based on sell orders or the price of purchases transferred in through the ACATS.

Examples of multiple purchases

When calculating your average cost, you must include all purchases made while holding an asset. This calculation resets when you close out of a position in its entirety (zero shares).

Example of multiple trades

Buying and selling options contracts outright has no impact on the average cost of corresponding open stock positions. However, the premiums will be included in average cost calculations of the resulting stock following option assignments or exercises. When one or more contracts go through an expiration event, the resulting purchase of shares and their purchase price (strike price of the option), as well as the original option premium, are added to the weighted average calculation.

For example, if a long call is exercised, or a short put is assigned (both result in buying shares), the number of contracts is multiplied by 100 shares, which is then multiplied by the strike price, and added to the cost of the original option. That’s all included in the average price calculation of the corresponding stock.

The cost or proceeds of an option are always factored into the cost basis of the resulting shares. For example, if long calls are exercised, the cost basis of the resulting long shares is determined by adding the premium paid to the options’ strike price (see: long call breakeven option price) and multiplying by 100. Alternatively, assignment after selling a put also results in a long stock position determined by taking the strike price of the call option, subtracting the premium collected (also recreating the short put break even price), and multiplying by 100.

Example of trading options

Buying and selling contracts outright has no impact on the average cost of corresponding open stock positions. The premiums aren’t included in average cost calculations for option expiration events (assignments or exercises). When one or more contracts go through an expiration event, the resulting purchase of shares and their purchase price (strike price of the option) are added to the weighted average purchase price. The resulting sale of shares reduces the current quantity of the position.

For example, if a long call is exercised, or a short put is assigned (results in buying shares), the number of contracts is multiplied by 100 shares, which is then multiplied by the strike price that’s included in the average price calculation.

The average trade price is based on the price of the futures contract asset. If you have multiple trades (buys and sells), the average trade price calculates the weighted prices with the current quantity of the position. When closing a position, we follow first-in, first-out (FIFO), where we close the contracts that you acquired first.