Crypto average price calculator: how to use it
A crypto average price calculator turns your separate buys into one weighted average cost per coin; add each buy and its fees for the true figure.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Enter every buy in date order and add the fees you paid
- A calculator average is not automatically your taxable cost basis
- A read-only API key is safer than sharing your password
The math is simple, but the result is only as good as the records you type in. Gather every buy of that coin before you start, then enter the rows in the order you bought them.
What you need before you start
Before you open a calculator, collect every buy of the same coin in one place. Find the missing amounts and fees now instead of guessing later. Moving coins between your own wallets is usually not a new buy.
How to use the calculator
Open the calculator and add one row for each buy. Work from the oldest trade to the newest. After you enter the rows, compare the totals with your own records.
- 1Sort the buys by datePut your records in order, oldest first, and follow them as you type.
- 2Enter each coin amountUse the exact number of coins from the trade record.
- 3Enter the dollars paidType the US dollars each buy cost, and keep fees in a separate field if the form has one.
- 4Add the transaction feesEnter the trading fee or network fee charged on that buy. Missing costs make the average lower than your true cost.
- 5Check every rowCompare the date, amount, and cost with your records, and fix any typos.
- 6Read the resultYou get the average cost per coin and the total spent. Enter a current price to see unrealized gain or loss.
After you calculate: records and safety
An average price from a calculator may not be an IRS-approved cost basis method. The IRS treats crypto as property, so keep the trade records you used and note which coins you sold or traded. Your average changes after a new buy or a sale, so run the numbers again then.
Frequently asked questions
Usually only when you enter them or import trade data that includes the fees. Leave the fees out and the average will be lower than your true cost.
Generally no. The IRS treats crypto as property, and average cost basis is generally not allowed for property.
Combine every buy of that coin in one run, and keep the records from each exchange so you can trace each amount.
It is usually safe if you type the numbers in yourself. A site that asks for your login details or a withdrawal-enabled API key is one to avoid.
