How to calculate profit and loss on Bybit futures?

Understanding Futures Profit and Loss on Bybit

Calculating profit and loss (P&L) on Bybit futures requires a clear grasp of how futures contracts work, particularly in a perpetual swap environment. Unlike spot trading, futures involve leverage, funding rates, and position size—all of which directly impact your final P&L. The most critical factor is whether your position is in USDT-margined or inverse (BTC-margined) contracts, as the calculation logic differs. For USDT-margined futures, P&L is denominated in USDT, making it straightforward for most traders. In contrast, inverse futures express P&L in the base coin (e.g., BTC), which introduces additional complexity when converting to USD or USDT value.

Key Variables in Bybit Futures P&L Calculation

To compute P&L accurately, you must first identify the following variables:

• Entry Price: The price at which you opened the position.
• Exit Price: The price at which you closed the position.
• Position Size: Measured in contracts or USD value.
• Leverage: Impacts margin usage but not the P&L formula directly.
• Funding Rate: Paid or received every 8 hours if holding a position past the funding timestamp.
• Fee Rate: Maker or taker fees applied on entry and exit.

  For a long position, if the Exit Price is higher than the Entry Price, you make a profit. The reverse applies to short positions. These variables are visible in your Bybit order history and position tab, ensuring you can manually verify any auto-calculated P&L shown in the interface.

  Manual P&L Calculation for USDT-Margined Contracts

  Let’s assume you open a long position on ETH/USDT with the following details:
• Entry Price: $2,000
• Exit Price: $2,200
• Position Size: 10 contracts (each contract = $1)
• Leverage: 10x
• Fee Rate (taker): 0.06%

  The formula for P&L per contract is:

  P&L = (Exit Price - Entry Price) × Position Size

  So:

  P&L = ($2,200 - $2,000) × 10 = $200

  Now subtract fees:

  • Entry fee: $2,000 × 10 × 0.06% = $1.20
  • Exit fee: $2,200 × 10 × 0.06% = $1.32
  • Total fees = $2.52

  Net P&L = $200 - $2.52 = $197.48

  This result matches what Bybit displays under “Realised P&L” in your position history.

  How Funding Rates Affect Your P&L

  Funding rates are periodic payments exchanged between long and short holders. If the rate is positive, longs pay shorts. If negative, shorts pay longs. This is not a profit or loss from price movement but a cost or income from holding the position.

  For example:

  • You hold a long ETH/USDT position during a funding period with a rate of 0.01%.
  • Your position value at the funding timestamp is $20,000.
  • Funding paid = $20,000 × 0.01% = $2.00

  This amount is automatically deducted from your wallet balance and recorded under “Funding Fee” in your transaction history. It must be added to your total P&L if you’re calculating net performance across multiple funding intervals.

  Step-by-Step Guide to Track P&L in Bybit App

  To manually verify your P&L on Bybit:
• Open the Positions tab and locate your active or closed trade.
• Tap on the specific position to view Entry Price, Exit Price, and Size.
• Go to Order History to find the exact Fee Rate applied (maker vs taker).
• Navigate to Transaction History to check all Funding Fees incurred during the trade duration.
• Use the formula: Net P&L = (Exit Price - Entry Price) × Size - Total Fees ± Funding Fees

  This method ensures you’re not relying solely on the app’s summary and can detect discrepancies in auto-calculated values—especially important for large or leveraged positions.

  Common Misconceptions About Bybit Futures P&L

  Many users assume that leverage multiplies profit or loss directly. In reality, leverage only affects margin requirements—not the P&L calculation itself. A 10x or 100x leveraged position with the same entry and exit prices will yield the same P&L; the difference lies in how much margin you risk. Another misconception is that unrealized P&L shown in the app is final. That value updates with the mark price, which may differ from the last traded price. Always close the position to see the realized P&L, which includes all fees and funding.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Q: Why is my realized P&L different from what I calculated manually? Check if you included funding fees and used the correct fee rate (maker vs taker). Also, ensure you used the exact entry and exit prices from the order history—not averages.

  Q: Does Bybit show P&L in real-time for open positions?Yes, under the Positions tab, Bybit shows Unrealized P&L based on the current mark price. This value fluctuates and is not final until the position is closed.

  Q: How do I export my P&L data for tax reporting?Go to Account → Transaction History → Export CSV. This file includes realized P&L, fees, funding payments, and timestamps—ideal for accounting or tax software.

  Q: Is P&L calculation the same for inverse and USDT-margined futures?No. Inverse futures (e.g., BTCUSD) calculate P&L in BTC, then convert to USD using the BTC price at settlement. This adds volatility risk due to BTC/USD price changes during the trade.