How to calculate brokerage?
Traders use intraday and delivery brokerage calculators to estimate the cost of each trade before placing it. Brokerage is the fee a broker collects for executing your trade, and it's payable on both the buy and the sell leg. Some brokers waive one side, but most charge a set percentage (or a flat fee) on the trade value. The core formula is:
Brokerage = Quantity × Price per share × Brokerage rate
(the rate applied depends on your subscription pack)
A worked example (equity delivery)
Suppose Snehal buys 10 shares of company XYZ at ₹3,000 each and sells them 10 days later at ₹3,100 each — an equity delivery trade on NSE, through a broker charging 0.5% brokerage on the total traded value.
- Buy value: ₹30,000.00
- Sell value: ₹31,000.00
- Total turnover: ₹61,000.00
- Gross profit: ₹1,000.00
When these values are entered into the brokerage calculator, it returns a full breakdown of charges:
Charge | How it's derived | Amount |
Brokerage | 0.5% × ₹61,000 turnover | ₹305.00 |
STT | 0.1% on buy (₹30) + 0.1% on sell (₹31) | ₹61.00 |
Exchange transaction charges | ~0.00297% × ₹61,000 (NSE cash) | ₹1.81 |
SEBI turnover fee | ₹10 per crore of turnover | ₹0.06 |
Stamp duty | 0.015% on the buy side only | ₹4.50 |
DP charges | Per scrip, on the sell side (CDSL) | ₹18.50 |
GST | 18% on brokerage + transaction + SEBI + DP charges | ₹58.57 |
Total taxes & charges |
| ₹449.44 |
Net P&L | Gross profit ₹1,000 − charges ₹449.44 | ₹550.56 |
Points to breakeven | ₹449.44 ÷ 10 shares | ₹44.94/share |
So although Snehal's shares rose ₹100 each, roughly ₹44.94 of that per-share gain simply covers her trading costs — she only starts profiting beyond that point. Her ₹1,000 gross profit becomes ₹550.56 after all charges.
Note: The figures above are illustrative. Actual charges vary by broker, subscription pack, segment (delivery, intraday or F&O) and exchange — for instance, discount brokers may charge a flat fee or zero delivery brokerage, and STT differs across segments. Use the calculator with your own pack selected for exact numbers.
Delivery vs intraday brokerage charges for equity trades
Charges | Equity (delivery) | Equity (intraday) |
Brokerage | 0.2% | 0.02% |
Transaction charges | NSE: 0.002970% on buy and sell value. BSE: 0.00345% on buy and sell value. | NSE: 0.002970% on buy and sell value. BSE: 0.00345% on buy and sell value. |
Clearing charges | 0.0025% on buy and sell value | 0.0025% on buy and sell value |
DP charges | Rs. 15 plus Rs. 5.50 CDSL per transaction | Nil |
GST | 18% on brokerage, transaction charges, SEBI charges and clearing charge | 18% on brokerage, transaction charges, SEBI charges and clearing charge |
Securities transaction tax | 0.1% on buy and sell value | 0.025% on the sell side value |
SEBI turnover fees | 0.0001% on buy and sell value | 0.0001% on buy and sell value |
Stamp duty | 0.015% on buy side value | 0.003% on buy side value |
What are the other charges on trading?
When understanding the nuances of a brokerage calculator, it is also important to understand the other charges imposed on trades:
1. GST
A Goods and Services Tax of 18% is applicable on the service rendered by brokers.
2. Transaction fees
Transaction fees are the charges imposed on trade execution by the stock exchange and clearing corporations. These fees can vary depending on the trade value and type.
3. Stamp duty
Stamp duty is imposed by the concerned state government on the transfer of security. From 1st July 2020, stamp duty is uniformly charged on the basis of the transaction value of the trade.
4. STT
Securities Transaction Tax is applicable on the purchase/sale of each listed security, including equity shares, equity-focused MFs, and derivatives. However, STT is not levied on commodity and currency trades. As of April 2026, STT is charged at 0.1% on both the purchase and sale of equity delivery trades, 0.025% on the sale side of equity intraday trades, 0.05% on the sale side of futures trades, and 0.15% on the option premium for the sale of options (with 0.15% also applicable when an option is exercised).
5. CTT
In India, a Commodities Transaction Tax is applicable on trades of non-agricultural commodity derivative contracts. A CTT of 0.01% is payable by the seller on the price at which the commodity derivative gets traded. For options, a CTT of 0.05% is payable by the seller on the option premium. For sales of options where the option is exercised, CTT is charged at a rate of 0.0001% on the settlement price.
6. SEBI turnover fees
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) charges a fee of 0.0001% of the turnover (or Rs. 10 per crore) on all purchase and sale transactions in securities.
7. DP charges
DP charges are applicable on sale transactions and vary depending on the depository in question. CDSL charges Rs. 18.50 per day per script, while NSDL charges Rs. 17.50.
How to use a brokerage calculator?
Equity calculators help traders compute brokerage charges on a trade. They help reduce the manual burden and possible errors in such calculations. To gain clarity on your brokerage fees in an instant, you can use the simple and user-friendly Brokerage Calculator by Bajaj Broking. Here is a step-by-step guide on using the brokerage calculator:
- Step 1: Choose an appropriate subscription pack from the drop-down menu – Freedom or Professional.
- Step 2: Select the trade segment - intraday-equity, delivery-equity, futures, or options.
- Step 3: Enter the buy price.
- Step 4: Enter the sale price.
- Step 5: Input the quantity.
- Step 6: Select the stock exchange where the security is listed.
- Step 7: Click the ‘Calculate Brokerage’ option to compute the applicable charges.
The online trading calculator will instantly display the applicable brokerage fee, STT, GST, SEBI turn-over fees, and stamp duty charges. In fact, you can also review the break-even and net profit and loss amount on the trade. Assessing the charges levied and their impact on the overall profit/loss can help you decide if the trade is prudent.
What factors influence brokerage charges?
Brokerage charges vary based on multiple factors that influence overall trading costs and transaction expenses. The following factors influence brokerage charges for your trade:
1. Nature of trade
Generally, brokerage charges vary depending on the type of trade in question. Intraday and delivery trades are the two major types of trades in the stock market, and the brokerage cost for each varies.
2. Traded securities
Brokerage charges may vary depending on the securities traded. Equity, derivatives, commodities, and others may have different fee structures.
3. Trade segment
The market comprises different trade segments, such as derivatives, spot/cash, etc. The brokerage fee charged may depend on the segment where you place the order.
4. Asset price
Some brokerage calculations are based on a certain percentage of the total turnover of a trade. In such instances, the asset price becomes one of the chief factors influencing brokerage charges.
5. Trade volume
The asset quantity in trades plays a crucial role in determining the applicable brokerage charges. Larger trades often attract higher brokerage fees, especially under a percentage-based system.
6. Frequency of trades
Brokerage charges are often determined by the number of trades executed. Depending on the brokerage firm in question, traders can subscribe to volume-based plans, where the more they trade, the less brokerage they pay.
What are the benefits of a brokerage calculator?
A brokerage calculator is a free online tool that helps traders estimate the total cost of a trade quickly and accurately.
- Compare brokers: Easily compare fees across different trading platforms.
- Instant results: Get accurate cost estimates in seconds.
- Full cost breakdown: Includes brokerage, taxes, and other charges.
- Time-saving: Simplifies cost analysis, helping you make faster decisions.
Using a brokerage calculator can streamline your trading process and improve financial planning.
Frequently asked questions
A brokerage calculator applies the formula: Brokerage = Buy value × Brokerage rate + Sell value × Brokerage rate. It then factors in additional costs like STT, GST, exchange transaction charges, SEBI fees, and stamp duty to give traders the total cost of executing a trade, helping them estimate net profitability accurately.
To calculate brokerage fees, multiply the total trade value (shares × price per share) by your broker's commission rate. Flat-fee brokers charge a fixed amount per trade regardless of size. Buy-side and sell-side charges are calculated separately, and applicable taxes should be added to arrive at the final cost.
Intraday brokerage is calculated based on the total turnover (buy value + sell value) of the trade, typically ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% or a flat fee (e.g., ₹20 per executed order), whichever is lower. It is charged on both the purchase and sale sides, with additional statutory charges like GST, STT, and exchange transaction fees applying.
The value (e.g., 0.01% to 0.05%) or as a flat fee per executed order, typically ranging from ₹20 or lower. The formula is: Total Turnover (Quantity Price)
Brokerage Rate. Final costs include additional charges like Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT), exchange fees, and GST.
The brokerage fees charged for trading on both BSE anf NSE stock exchanges are the same, but the total cost and other charges might differ based on the value of stocks on different exchanges. It is important to double-check with your stockbroking firm for any additional fees or charges before you trade.
Breakeven is the point at which your total revenue equals your total costs, meaning you have neither a profit nor a loss. It is primarily calculated in two ways: by the number of units sold or by total sales revenue.
Futures brokerage is typically calculated based on the total trade value (quantity price) as a percentage, or as a flat fee per executed order. For Futures, this usually involves a fixed fee (e.g., ₹20-40 per order) or a small percentage (e.g., 0.01% - 0.05%) applied to both sides of the trade.
A brokerage rate is the fee charged by a broker for executing trades, varying by broker type (full-service vs. discount) and trade type (equity, F&O), often as a percentage of transaction value or a flat fee (e.g., ₹20 per order). Full-service brokers charge more for research (0.01-0.5%), while discount brokers offer lower rates (₹10-₹100 flat) for just trade execution, with online platforms often having zero or very low commissions, especially for certain trades like delivery.
Brokerage fees can be significantly reduced by switching to discount brokers, which offer flat-fee or zero-brokerage plans, compared to traditional full-service brokers. Other effective strategies include negotiating lower commission rates for high-volume trading, selecting plans with minimal or zero maintenance charges, and choosing direct mutual funds over regular plans.
Yes, brokerage calculators are almost entirely free to use online, provided by most stockbrokers and financial platforms to help investors calculate trading costs, including GST, Securities Transaction Tax (STT), and stamp duty. They are accessible to anyone to estimate brokerage for equity, F&O, and commodity trades.
