DCA Calculator
Calculate your DCA results: total invested, average cost basis, portfolio value, and ROI for any recurring crypto investment. Compare DCA vs lump sum.
Added May 26, 2026
Input
Result
Enter a value for investment per purchase ($) to see your result.
How it works
Calculate the outcome of a dollar-cost averaging strategy for any asset. Enter your investment amount, frequency, and price range to see average cost basis, portfolio value, ROI, and how DCA compares to a lump-sum investment.
Step by step
- 01Enter how much you invest per purchase and how often.
- 02Set the number of purchases you plan to make (or have made).
- 03Enter the price at your first purchase and the current price.
- 04The calculator simulates all purchases with linearly interpolated prices and shows your average cost basis, portfolio value, and ROI.
Examples
Weekly $100 into BTC over 1 year (price doubles)
Buying $100 of BTC weekly as the price doubled from $30K to $65K results in a ~61% return vs 116% for a perfect lump sum — but DCA removed the timing risk.
Inputs
- Investment per purchase ($):
- 100
- Purchase frequency:
- weekly
- Number of purchases:
- 52
- Price at first purchase ($):
- 30000
- Current / latest price ($):
- 65000
Result
- Total invested:
- $5,200.00
- ROI:
- 60.67%
Frequently asked questions
What is dollar-cost averaging (DCA)?
DCA is an investment strategy where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of price. By buying more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, you average out your cost basis and reduce the impact of volatility and poor timing.
Is DCA better than lump-sum investing?
Research shows lump-sum investing outperforms DCA roughly two-thirds of the time in rising markets, simply because more money is invested sooner. DCA's advantage is psychological and risk-management: it removes the need to time the market and reduces regret from a single badly-timed purchase.
What is average cost basis and why does it matter?
Your average cost basis is the mean price you paid per unit across all purchases. If the current price is above your cost basis, you're in profit; below it, you're at a loss. Cost basis also determines your taxable gain when you sell.
How are prices interpolated in this calculator?
Prices between your first and last purchase are linearly interpolated — each purchase occurs at a price that moves in equal steps from start to end. This simulates a smooth trend. Real markets are more volatile, so your actual average cost basis may differ.