Tax
Crypto Cost Basis Calculator
Buy the same coin at ten different prices, then sell some — which lots count? Enter your purchases and a sale, choose FIFO, LIFO or HIFO, and get your cost basis, capital gain, and the short-term vs long-term split you need for taxes. An estimate to plan with, not tax advice.
Result (FIFO)
Which lots were sold
Estimate only. Uses the prices and dates you enter and a one-year long-term threshold; it excludes trading fees you don't include in price, wash-sale rules, and the specific-identification records that LIFO/HIFO generally require. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm with a professional or official software before filing.
How cost basis decides your crypto tax
When you sell crypto, your taxable gain is the sale proceeds minus your cost basis — what you paid for the coins you sold. The catch is that you rarely buy at one price. Ten purchases at ten prices means the sale has to draw from specific lots, and which lots it draws from changes both your gain and whether that gain is short-term or long-term. FIFO sells your oldest coins first (the IRS default). LIFO sells your newest first. HIFO sells your most expensive coins first, which produces the smallest gain on that sale — but LIFO and HIFO generally require specific identification and clean records to defend. This tool applies the method you pick, matches the sale against your lots, and shows the cost basis, the gain, and how much of it is short-term (held one year or less, taxed at your ordinary rate) versus long-term (held over a year, taxed at the lower capital-gains rate). Once you know the split, drop the numbers into the crypto tax calculator to estimate the actual tax, and keep every buy and sell logged in the free trading journal so filing is never a guess.
FAQ
What is cost basis in crypto?
Cost basis is what you originally paid for the crypto you sold, including fees. Your capital gain is the sale proceeds minus the cost basis. Because you usually buy the same coin at many prices, which purchase lots you match to a sale changes your cost basis — and your tax.
FIFO vs LIFO vs HIFO — what's the difference?
They choose which buy lots a sale draws from. FIFO sells your oldest coins first (the IRS default), LIFO sells your newest first, and HIFO sells your most expensive coins first to minimize the taxable gain. LIFO and HIFO generally require specific identification and good records.
Does the method change how much tax I owe?
Yes. HIFO usually lowers the gain on a given sale; FIFO often realizes older, cheaper lots — a bigger gain, but one that may qualify for lower long-term rates. The best choice depends on your lots, holding periods and the records you can support.
Is this tax advice?
No — it's a free estimator to understand your gain and holding-period split. It excludes fees you don't enter, wash-sale rules and specific-identification requirements. Confirm with a professional or official software before filing.