ROI Calculator
The ROI calculator measures the return you got on money you put in, as a clean percentage. Enter the net profit or gain you made and the amount you invested, and it returns the return on investment. Use it to compare opportunities on a level footing — a marketing campaign, a bulk stock buy, or a new piece of equipment. ROI is a general planning measure and ignores time and risk, so treat the result as an estimate and confirm real investment decisions with a qualified professional.
Calculator
The formula
ROI % = net profit ÷ investment × 100
Divide the net profit (what you gained after subtracting what you spent) by the amount you invested, then multiply by 100. A positive ROI means you gained more than you put in; a negative ROI means you lost money. ROI does not account for how long the money was tied up.
Worked example
You invest $5,000 in a campaign and it generates $1,500 of net profit.
- ROI = 1,500 ÷ 5,000 × 100 = 30%
So for every dollar invested you got 30 cents back in profit, on top of recovering the original dollar.
Frequently asked questions
- Is net profit the same as revenue?
- No. Net profit is what's left after subtracting the cost of the investment and any related expenses. Using revenue instead of profit will badly overstate your ROI.
- Does ROI account for time?
- No — a 30% ROI over one month is very different from 30% over five years, but plain ROI treats them the same. For time-sensitive decisions, look at annualised return and speak to a professional.
- Can ROI be negative?
- Yes. If the investment loses money, the net profit is negative and so is the ROI — a clear signal the opportunity didn't pay off.