The Recovery Calculator
A 50% loss doesn't need a 50% gain to recover — it needs 100%. This calculator shows you the real number, so you know exactly what you're working toward.
Gain needed to break even—
Current loss—
Loss amount—
Target value to break even—
Why the math isn't symmetric
If you invest $1,000 and it drops 50% to $500, gaining 50% back only gets you to $750 — not $1,000. Because the loss is calculated on a bigger number than the gain is, percentage losses and gains are never equal. The formula is:
Gain needed = Loss % ÷ (1 − Loss %)
The deeper the drawdown, the more disproportionate the climb back. That's not a reason to panic — it's a reason to have an actual plan. Start with our recovery guides for what to do next.