Introduction to Futures Contract P&L
Profit and loss (P&L) in futures trading are calculated based on the contract's collateral. For instance, USDT-Margined contracts are quoted and settled in USDT, while Coin-Margined contracts, like BTC, use Bitcoin for valuation and settlement.
It is essential to note that unrealized P&L is calculated using the mark price, whereas realized P&L uses the last traded price. Accurate calculation is vital for risk management and strategic decision-making in the dynamic crypto market.
Calculating Coin-Margined Futures (BTC/USD) P&L
Coin-Margined contracts are denominated, collateralized, and settled in the base cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. Each contract represents a fixed amount of the quote currency, which is the US Dollar in the case of BTC/USD contracts. This means Bitcoin is used for both initial margin and profit/loss computation.
Long Position Example
Suppose you buy 100 Bitcoin-Margined perpetual contracts when BTC is priced at $50,000. Each contract is worth $100, so the total position size is $10,000. This is equivalent to selling $10,000 and buying an equivalent value of Bitcoin (10,000 / 50,000 = 0.2 BTC).
If the Bitcoin price rises to $55,000 and you decide to close the position to secure gains, you need to buy back $10,000 worth of contracts. This requires selling the equivalent value of Bitcoin (10,000 / 55,000 ≈ 0.1818 BTC).
The profit is calculated as the difference in Bitcoin amount: 0.2 - 0.1818 = 0.0182 BTC.
The generalized formula for Coin-Margined contracts is:
((1 / Entry Price) - (1 / Exit Price)) * Position Size
Applying the numbers:
((1 / 50,000) - (1 / 55,000)) (100 contracts $100) = 0.0182 BTC
Short Position Example
For a short position on a BTC/USD quarterly contract:
((1 / Entry Price) - (1 / Exit Price)) (Position Size -1)
Assume you open a short position of 100 contracts (worth $10,000) at $50,000 and close it at $45,000.
((1 / 50,000) - (1 / 45,000)) (10,000 -1) ≈ -0.0198 BTC
The negative value indicates a loss of 0.0198 BTC.
Calculating USDT-Margined Futures (BTCUSDT) P&L
USDT-Margined contracts are simpler for traders thinking in stablecoin terms. All profits and losses are calculated in USDT.
Long Position Example
Assume you buy a BTCUSDT perpetual contract with a value of 10,000 USDT when BTC is at 50,000 USDT. If you sell when the price reaches 55,000 USDT, the profit in Bitcoin is:
(1 / 50,000 - 1 / 55,000) * 10,000 ≈ 0.018182 BTC
This is then converted to USDT at the exit price:
0.018182 * 55,000 ≈ 1,000 USDT
Short Position Example
If you open a short position of 10,000 USDT at 50,000 USDT and close it at 45,000 USDT:
(1 / 50,000 - 1 / 45,000) * -10,000 ≈ 0.022 BTC
Converted to USDT:
0.022 * 45,000 = 1,000 USDT profit
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Calculating Unrealized P&L and Return on Equity (ROE%)
For USDT-Margined Contracts
Using Mark Price as Reference
- Unrealized P&L = Position Size Order Direction (Mark Price - Entry Price)
- ROE% = (Unrealized P&L in USDT) / Entry Margin = ((Mark Price - Entry Price) Order Direction Size) / (Position Value Contract Multiplier Mark Price * Initial Margin Ratio (IMR))
Initial Margin Ratio (IMR) = 1 / Leverage
Using Last Price as Reference
- Unrealized P&L = Position Size Order Direction (Last Price - Entry Price)
- ROE% = (Unrealized P&L in USDT) / Entry Margin = ((Last Price - Entry Price) Order Direction Size) / (Position Value Contract Multiplier Mark Price * IMR)
Order Direction: Long = 1, Short = -1
For Coin-Margined Contracts
Using Mark Price as Reference
- Unrealized P&L = Position Size Contract Multiplier Order Direction * (1 / Entry Price - 1 / Mark Price)
- ROE% = (Unrealized P&L Mark Price) / (Absolute Size Contract Multiplier * IMR)
Using Last Price as Reference
- Unrealized P&L = Position Size Contract Multiplier Order Direction * (1 / Entry Price - 1 / Last Price)
- ROE% = (Unrealized P&L Mark Price) / (Absolute Size Contract Multiplier * IMR)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between realized and unrealized P&L?
Realized P&L refers to the actual profit or loss from a trade that has been closed. Unrealized P&L shows the current profit or loss of an open position, which can change with the market price until the position is closed.
Why are there different formulas for Coin-Margined and USDT-Margined contracts?
The difference stems from the denomination of the contract. Coin-Margined P&L is calculated in the base cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC), requiring an inverse price calculation. USDT-Margined P&L is directly calculated in USDT, simplifying the process for traders using stablecoins.
How does leverage affect my ROE calculation?
Leverage magnifies your trading position beyond your initial capital. It directly impacts the Initial Margin Ratio (IMR) in the ROE formula. Higher leverage means a lower IMR, which can significantly amplify your ROE%, for both gains and losses.
What is mark price, and why is it used for unrealized P&L?
The mark price is an estimated fair value of a contract, often derived from the spot price and funding rate. It is used to calculate unrealized P&L to prevent market manipulation or liquidation caused by anomalous last traded prices on the futures market itself.
Can I automate these P&L calculations?
Yes, most modern trading platforms calculate P&L and ROE automatically in real-time. However, understanding the underlying formulas is crucial for verifying these figures and for manual strategy backtesting. You can use dedicated trading calculators for this purpose.
Is the P&L calculation the same for all cryptocurrencies?
The core logic remains the same. However, the contract multiplier (the value each contract represents) and the tick size (minimum price movement) can vary between different cryptocurrency futures contracts, so always check the contract specifications.