Investor tools · Understand the math
A 20% loss needs a 25% gain to recover. Explore why the return needed grows faster as the loss deepens.
Choose a loss
A smaller starting base
A loss and the subsequent gain apply to different amounts. Losing $20 from $100 leaves $80. Earning that $20 back requires 25% of $80.
This assumes no deposits, withdrawals, fees, taxes, or income distributions. It does not forecast a recovery date or promise that recovery will happen.
The formula
Required gain (%) = loss (%) / (100 − loss (%)) × 100
| Loss | $100 becomes | Gain needed |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $90 | 11.11% |
| 20% | $80 | 25% |
| 30% | $70 | 42.86% |
| 50% | $50 | 100% |
| 80% | $20 | 400% |
What about a 100% loss?
Nothing remains to compound. No finite percentage return on a zero balance can restore the original amount, so the calculator accepts losses below 100%.
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