Break-Even Calculator
Find out what spot price you need for your gold or silver purchase to break even. Enter what you paid, the weight, and the purity — the calculator shows your break-even spot price and your current profit or loss at today's live prices.
Include all premiums, shipping, and fees
Enter weight and price paid to calculate your break-even.
How the Break-Even Price Works
When you buy physical precious metals, you always pay more than the raw spot price. The difference — called the premium — covers minting costs, distribution, dealer profit, and insurance. A 1 oz Silver Eagle at 20% premium over $30/oz spot costs $36. That means spot needs to reach $36 before your silver is worth what you paid for it.
The break-even price is simply: total paid ÷ pure metal ounces. Knowing this number lets you set realistic expectations for your investment and monitor progress over time.
Note that this calculator shows melt value — the raw metal value. For highly liquid products like American Silver Eagles, your actual selling price will typically exceed melt value by the dealer's buy premium, which means you may break even at a lower spot price than this calculator suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my break-even price for silver?
Break-even spot price = total price paid ÷ ounces of pure silver. If you paid $350 for 10 troy oz of .999 fine silver, break-even = $350 ÷ (10 × 0.999) = $35.04/oz. This calculator handles the math automatically.
Why is my break-even price higher than spot when I bought?
Because you paid a premium above spot — the dealer's markup. If spot was $30 and you paid a 20% premium, you need spot at $36 before melt covers your cost. This is normal for physical bullion, which is why buying at the lowest possible premium matters.
Does this include the premium I paid?
Yes — enter your total amount paid (including premiums, shipping, and fees). The break-even price shown is the exact spot price at which the pure metal content equals your total cost.