Explore the math
See the risk.
Change the perspective.
Five interactive explainers. Real arithmetic, visible assumptions, no predictions and no trading signals.
01 / The comeback trap
Getting back is harder than it looks.
A percentage loss is measured on the original amount. The recovery gain is measured on the smaller amount left.
Gain needed on what remains
A 50% loss leaves half the original amount.
A calculation—not a goal to chase.
Assumes no additional deposits, withdrawals, fees or taxes. At a 100% loss, no finite percentage gain on the remaining zero balance can restore the original amount.
02 / The multiplier
Small movement. Bigger consequence.
A simplified adverse price move on a linear, leveraged position. This is not an options or liquidation calculator.
Illustrative loss relative to starting capital
10× exposure multiplies a 5% adverse move.
Loss = exposure × adverse move ÷ 100
Ignores fees, interest, slippage and forced closure. Real positions can close earlier; price gaps can worsen outcomes. This uncapped arithmetic can exceed 100% of starting capital. Actual liability and negative-balance protections depend on product and jurisdiction. Risk guidance · Read the full explanation.
03 / The quiet drain
“A few dollars” adds up.
Enter a complete round trip: one entry and one exit. Estimate all-in costs, not only the advertised commission.
Direct trading costs over this period
This is money spent on transactions, regardless of whether the trades win or lose.
A fixed-cost illustration, not a broker quote. Excludes trading gains/losses, taxes, funding not included in your estimate, inflation and returns foregone. Zero commission does not necessarily mean zero total cost. More about costs.
04 / Your non-renewable resource
What else could those hours be?
Chart checking, research, scrolling and trading all count. There is no need to turn the time you get back into another performance target.
Time spent at this pace
That is about 15.2 full 24-hour days.
An approximate time conversion using exactly 52 weeks per year. “Days” are equivalents, not a claim that all those hours could be recovered or converted into paid work.
05 / A longer horizon
See the math of steady contributions.
An illustrative future balance under an assumed constant return. Try zero or a negative return too: growth is not guaranteed.
Illustrative ending balance
Not a forecast, product recommendation or promised outcome.
Each month: next balance = current balance × (1 + monthly rate) + contribution
Contributions occur at the end of each month. The rate is an effective annual assumption; actual returns vary. Fees, taxes and inflation are excluded. Values are nominal. The 0% default illustrates contributions without assuming investment growth.
Show the year-by-year table
| Year | Contributed | Balance | Gain / loss |
|---|