Bitcoin DCA calculator
Buying the same dollar amount of bitcoin on a fixed schedule evens out your entry price, but whether that beats a single purchase depends on how the price moves along the way. Set your amount per week or month, the length of the plan, a starting and ending price, the shape of the market between them and how bumpy it is, and the calculator runs the plan one purchase at a time. You see your average cost, the coins collected and the final value, compared with investing everything on day one.
The price and your average cost
Bitcoin's price along the path and your running average cost per coin. Whenever the price is above your cost line, you are in profit.
Regular buys vs lump sum on other paths
The same plan, start price and end price with each market shape. The lump sum invests everything at the first purchase.
| Market path | DCA final value | Lump sum final value | DCA average cost | Winner |
|---|
How the plan is simulated
A price is generated for every purchase date from your start price, end price and chosen shape, then random noise is added using your seed, so identical settings always produce the same path.
Your fixed amount is then spent at each price, less the fee, and the coins are added up.
Draw the path
The price moves in percentage steps from start to end, through a low or a high if you choose a dip or a peak.
dip low = start × (1 − swing)
Add randomness
Every price is shifted by a random amount sized to your volatility setting.
price = path × evolatility × random
Buy each period
The fee is taken off every purchase.
coins += amount × (1 − fee) ÷ price
Average cost
Total spent divided by the coins you hold.
average cost = total invested ÷ coins
Lump sum
The full amount bought at the first price, with the same fee.
lump coins = total × (1 − fee) ÷ first price
Bitcoin DCA FAQ
What does dollar-cost averaging into bitcoin mean?
Buying a fixed dollar amount on a regular schedule, say $100 every week, whatever the price. Low prices get you more coin and high prices less, so over time your average cost per coin ends up below the average price over that period.
Does DCA beat a lump sum?
It depends on the path. If the price rises steadily, a lump sum at the start wins because all the money is invested sooner. If the price falls first and recovers later, DCA usually comes out ahead. The table compares both on several paths.
Why simulate a price path instead of using history?
So you can test possible futures, not only the past. You pick a start price, an end price and the journey between them, with as much random volatility as you like. Change the seed to get a different random path with the same settings.
How often should recurring buys happen?
Weekly and monthly are the usual choices. More frequent buying smooths your average a little more, but if each purchase carries a fixed fee, many small buys can cost more. Look for low recurring-buy fees.
How much do fees matter with DCA?
A lot, because they are paid on every purchase. A 1.5 percent fee on every weekly buy adds up to 1.5 percent of everything you put in, and the calculator deducts it each time.
Can DCA stop me losing money?
No. If the price ends below your average cost, you lose. DCA lowers the risk of investing everything at a bad moment, but it does nothing about the risk of the asset itself.