DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) Calculator
Simulate dollar-cost averaging (DCA) by investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule. See your average purchase price, total units accumulated, and portfolio value over time.
DCA plan inputs
Used to estimate current portfolio value and profit / loss.
Fixed amount you invest every period (e.g. every month).
12 for monthly, 26 for bi-weekly, 52 for weekly, etc.
Long-term trend of the asset price (e.g. 5% per year).
Random noise percentage to mimic up-and-down price moves.
Summary of your DCA plan
Total invested
30,000
Units accumulated
250.74
Average buy price
119.6452
Portfolio value @ current price
30,088.97
Unrealized P/L
88.97
Return on invested capital
0.3%
This is a simplified simulation that uses random noise around a long-term trend. Real markets are irregular and may differ substantially from any single simulation path.
Example DCA schedule (first 12 periods)
| Period | Price | Contribution | Units bought | Cum. invested | Cum. units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 104.0686 | 500 | 4.8 | 500 | 4.8 |
| 2 | 100.5116 | 500 | 4.97 | 1,000 | 9.78 |
| 3 | 101.4372 | 500 | 4.93 | 1,500 | 14.71 |
| 4 | 100.7507 | 500 | 4.96 | 2,000 | 19.67 |
| 5 | 100.7645 | 500 | 4.96 | 2,500 | 24.63 |
| 6 | 102.2847 | 500 | 4.89 | 3,000 | 29.52 |
| 7 | 99.7485 | 500 | 5.01 | 3,500 | 34.53 |
| 8 | 98.6879 | 500 | 5.07 | 4,000 | 39.6 |
| 9 | 99.4378 | 500 | 5.03 | 4,500 | 44.63 |
| 10 | 103.9126 | 500 | 4.81 | 5,000 | 49.44 |
| 11 | 107.236 | 500 | 4.66 | 5,500 | 54.1 |
| 12 | 104.7021 | 500 | 4.78 | 6,000 | 58.88 |
What dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) means investing the same amount of money on a fixed schedule regardless of short-term price movements. When prices are high, the fixed budget buys fewer units; when prices are low, you automatically buy more units. Over time, this can smooth out your average purchase price.
Many long-term investors use DCA for stocks, ETFs, crypto, or retirement accounts because it removes the pressure of timing the market. Instead of trying to guess the perfect entry moment, you commit to a disciplined schedule and let volatility work in your favor.
This calculator focuses on the core DCA metrics: total amount invested, units accumulated, and average buy price. You can pair it with your own price scenarios or historical data to understand how a recurring plan might have behaved.
How to read the DCA results
The key output of a DCA plan is your average cost per unit. This is calculated as total amount invested divided by total units accumulated. If the current market price is above your average cost, your position is in profit; if it is below, your position is at a loss on paper.
You can also track portfolio value by multiplying your units by a chosen current price, and comparing it with the total amount you have invested. This difference represents unrealized gain or loss.
Try adjusting contribution size and duration to see how they influence your average entry. Longer time horizons and regular contributions usually mean your cost basis will be pulled toward the price range where you invested most frequently, not just the starting price.
Limitations and practical notes
This page does not predict prices or guarantee returns. DCA can reduce the emotional impact of volatility, but it cannot remove market risk. If an asset trends downward for a long period, a DCA strategy can still lose money.
Real-world investing also involves fees, taxes, and slippage, and your execution schedule may differ slightly from the idealized intervals shown here. Consider these frictions when turning a simulated plan into a real one.
Treat this calculator as an educational tool to compare scenarios and build intuition. For decisions that materially affect your finances, consider combining your own research with advice from a qualified professional.