Loss Recovery Calculator
Find the percentage gain needed to recover a loss. A 20% decline needs a 25% gain to break even.
Your numbers
Your result
Gain needed to recover
25%- Value remaining, starting at 100
- 80
- Original value to recover
- 100
Losses and recovery gains use different bases. After a decline, the same amount must be earned back on a smaller balance. This model excludes fees, deposits and withdrawals. At a 100% loss, no finite percentage gain on the remaining zero balance can recover the original amount.
How the calculation works
Losses and recovery gains use different bases. After a decline, the same amount must be earned back on a smaller balance. This model excludes fees, deposits and withdrawals. At a 100% loss, no finite percentage gain on the remaining zero balance can recover the original amount.
Recovery gain = loss ÷ (100 − loss) × 100%
Worked example
Starting at 100, a 20% loss leaves 80. Earning back 20 on that balance requires a 25% gain. A 50% loss requires a 100% gain.
Common question
Does a 20% gain reverse a 20% loss?
No. A balance of 100 falls to 80, then a 20% gain brings it to 96. It is still 4% below the starting value.