Enter the current price to calculate your unrealised profit or loss. Leave blank to see cost basis only.
What is Dollar Cost Averaging?
Learn how DCA works and why traders use it
What is DCA?
Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy where you buy a fixed dollar amount (or fixed quantity) of an asset at regular intervals, regardless of the price. Instead of trying to time the market with one large purchase, you spread your buys over time.
Why do crypto traders use DCA?
Crypto markets are highly volatile — prices can swing 20–30% in a single day. DCA reduces the impact of volatility on your average entry price. If the price falls after one of your buys, your next buy is at a lower price, which brings your average cost basis down.
What does this calculator show?
- Average cost basis — the weighted average price you paid per coin across all purchases
- Total invested — the total USD (or your chosen currency) spent on all purchases
- Total coins held — the total quantity accumulated
- Break-even price — same as average cost basis; the price the coin needs to reach for you to be at zero P&L
- Unrealised P&L — how much you're up or down based on the current market price
How is average cost calculated?
Average cost basis = Total amount spent ÷ Total coins bought. For example, if you buy 0.1 BTC at $50,000 and 0.1 BTC at $40,000, you spent $9,000 for 0.2 BTC, giving you an average cost of $45,000 per BTC.
Is DCA a tax event?
Buying cryptocurrency is not a taxable event in most jurisdictions (Australia, US, UK). Taxes are only triggered when you sell (dispose of) your crypto. However, your cost basis — the price you paid — determines how much capital gain or loss you realise when you eventually sell. Use the CGT Calculator when you're ready to calculate your tax.
Add at least one purchase with a price and amount to see results.