Opportunity Cost Calculator
Compare the return from the best alternative with the return from your choice to find opportunity cost, the value of what you give up by deciding.
- Free
- No sign-up
Enter both returns to see the opportunity cost.
Worked example
With these example inputs:
- Return from best alternative$8,000
- Return from your choice$5,000
Opportunity cost: $3,000
- As a share of the total37.5%
- If the first figure were 10% higher$3,800
Frequently asked questions
What is opportunity cost?
Opportunity cost is the benefit you give up by choosing one option over the next best one. Here it is the alternative's return minus your choice's return.
What does a negative result mean?
A negative opportunity cost means your choice outperformed the alternative, so you gave up nothing, you came out ahead by the amount shown.