What is unrealized PnL on Bybit?

Unrealized PnL on Bybit shows your open position's floating profit or loss, updating in real-time based on market moves—it doesn’t affect your balance until you close the trade.

Jul 23, 2025 at 09:15 am

Understanding Unrealized PnL on Bybit

Unrealized PnL (Profit and Loss) on Bybit refers to the floating gain or loss that a trader experiences while holding an open position. Unlike realized PnL—which is locked in when a position is closed—unrealized PnL changes in real-time as the market price of the asset moves. This metric is critical for traders managing risk and evaluating the current performance of their open trades. It appears in your Bybit futures account dashboard and updates continuously based on the latest mark price.

For example, if you open a long position on BTC/USDT Perpetual Contract at $30,000 and the current mark price is $31,000, your unrealized PnL will reflect a positive value. Conversely, if the price drops to $29,000, the unrealized PnL will show a negative amount. This value helps traders decide whether to hold, add to, or close a position.

How Bybit Calculates Unrealized PnL

Bybit uses two different formulas depending on the contract type: inverse contracts (denominated in BTC) and linear contracts (denominated in USDT). The calculation ensures that traders see accurate profit or loss in their respective base currencies.

• For linear contracts (e.g., BTC/USDT):
  Unrealized PnL = Position Size × Direction of Position × (Mark Price - Entry Price)
  
  Here, “Direction of Position” is +1 for longs and -1 for shorts.

• For inverse contracts (e.g., BTC/USD):
  Unrealized PnL = Position Size × Direction of Position × (1 / Entry Price - 1 / Mark Price)
  
  The result is shown in BTC.

This distinction is crucial because inverse contracts involve settlement in BTC, and volatility in BTC’s value affects PnL differently than in stablecoin-denominated pairs.

Where to View Unrealized PnL on Bybit

To monitor your unrealized PnL on Bybit:

• Log in to your Bybit account
• Navigate to the Futures section
• Select the specific contract (e.g., BTC/USDT Perpetual)
• Check the Positions tab
• The “Unrealized PnL” column will display the current floating profit or loss
  

  This value updates automatically as the market moves. If you have multiple open positions, each will show its own unrealized PnL. Traders often use this data alongside the equity and margin balance to avoid liquidation.

  Impact of Unrealized PnL on Margin and Liquidation

  
  Unrealized PnL directly affects your available balance and liquidation risk. If the unrealized loss grows too large, it reduces your equity (account balance + unrealized PnL), which may trigger a margin call or automatic liquidation.
  

  For instance:

  • Your account equity is $1,000
  • You have an open position with an unrealized loss of $300
  • Your effective equity becomes $700
  • If this drops below the maintenance margin requirement, Bybit will initiate liquidation

  This is why traders must monitor unrealized PnL closely, especially in volatile markets. Setting stop-loss orders or adjusting leverage can help manage exposure tied to unrealized PnL.

  Difference Between Unrealized and Realized PnL

  
  The key difference lies in timing and finality:
• Unrealized PnL is theoretical—it changes with market movements and does not affect your actual wallet balance
• Realized PnL is final—it is locked in when you close a position and immediately impacts your available balance
  

  For example, if you close a long position that had an unrealized PnL of +$200, that amount becomes realized and is added to your wallet. If it was -$150, that amount is deducted. Understanding this distinction helps traders manage expectations and avoid emotional decisions based on temporary unrealized gains or losses.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Q: Does unrealized PnL affect my Bybit wallet balance?
  
  No. Unrealized PnL does not change your actual wallet balance until the position is closed. It only reflects the potential gain or loss based on current prices.

  Q: Why is my unrealized PnL negative even though the market hasn’t moved much?
  
  This can happen due to funding fees in perpetual contracts. If you hold a long position and the funding rate is positive, you pay fees to short holders, which may reduce your unrealized PnL slightly over time.

  Q: Can unrealized PnL be zero?
  
  Yes. If the current mark price equals your entry price, your unrealized PnL will be zero. This means your position is currently at breakeven.

  Q: How often is unrealized PnL updated on Bybit?
  
  It updates in real-time—every time the mark price changes, your unrealized PnL recalculates automatically. No manual refresh is needed.