Bull Put Spread Formula
Break-even equals short put strike minus net credit. Maximum loss equals spread width minus credit.
Worked Examples
Load these examples to compare common bull put spread payoff outcomes.
BASE CASE
Bullish credit spread expires worthless
The stock stays above the short put strike.
- Calculate the credit.
- Both options expire out of the money.
- Profit equals the premium collected.
Result: the spread keeps the full net credit.
This ignores commissions and early assignment.
How It Works
A bull put spread sells a higher-strike put and buys a lower-strike put. The trade collects a credit and profits when the stock stays above the short put strike.
Example Problem
Sell a $100 put for $5 and buy a $90 put for $2. The stock finishes at $104.
- Calculate net credit per share.
- Calculate option intrinsic value at expiration.
- Subtract any spread loss from the credit collected.
- Compare the result with maximum profit, maximum loss, and break-even.
Credit spreads are defined-risk positions when both legs share the same expiration and contract count.
Key Concepts
Credit received lowers break-even and defines maximum profit. The long option limits the loss beyond the protective strike.
Applications
- Comparing credit to spread width.
- Sizing defined-risk premium-selling trades.
- Finding break-even and return on risk.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the 100 share contract multiplier.
- Entering the strikes in the wrong order.
- Treating expiration payoff as a live option mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bull Put Spread Calculator calculate?
It calculates expiration profit or loss, break-even levels, maximum profit or loss where they are defined, and payoff chart data from manually entered prices and premiums.
Does this calculator need live option quotes?
No. Enter the stock price, strikes, premiums, and contracts yourself. The calculator models expiration payoff from those inputs.
Does this model early assignment or changing implied volatility?
No. It is an expiration payoff calculator. It does not model commissions, fees, early assignment, exercise decisions, taxes, or mark-to-market pricing before expiration.
Why can payoff before expiration differ from this result?
Before expiration, option prices still include time value and implied volatility. This calculator focuses on intrinsic value at expiration.
Reference: Options Industry Council strategy education and standard expiration payoff definitions.
Related Calculators
- Cash-Secured Put CalculatorCompare with selling an uncovered cash-secured put
- Bull Call Spread CalculatorCompare with the bullish debit spread
- Iron Condor CalculatorAdd a call credit spread to form a condor
- Put Option CalculatorModel a single long put
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