How brokerage and charges are calculated
Every trade on NSE carries the same statutory charges no matter which broker you use. Only brokerage itself differs. Turnover is (buy price + sell price) × quantity; most charges are a small percentage of it.
- STT – charged by the government. Delivery: 0.1% on both sides. Intraday: 0.025% on sell. Futures: 0.05% on sell. Options: 0.15% on sell premium (raised from 0.02% and 0.1% on 1 April 2026).
- Exchange transaction charges – NSE's fee on turnover, both sides.
- SEBI fee – ₹10 per crore of turnover.
- Stamp duty – charged only on the buy side, at a rate that depends on the segment.
- GST – 18% on brokerage + exchange charges + SEBI fee (not on STT or stamp duty).
- DP charges – a flat fee per scrip when delivery shares leave your demat account.
Worked example: intraday trade
Buy 100 shares at ₹1,000 and sell at ₹1,010 intraday with ₹20/order brokerage. Turnover is ₹2,01,000. Brokerage is ₹40 (₹20 × 2), STT ₹25, exchange charges about ₹6.17, stamp duty ₹3, and GST about ₹8.35 — roughly ₹83 in total. Your ₹1,000 gross profit becomes about ₹917 net. Each share had to move ₹0.83 just to break even.
Impact of the April 2026 STT hike on F&O
From 1 April 2026, STT on futures went from 0.02% to 0.05% of the sell value, and on options from 0.1% to 0.15% of the sell premium. On one Nifty futures lot worth about ₹16 lakh, STT alone rose from about ₹320 to ₹800 per round trip. Pick Futures or Options above and the calculator shows how much more your trade costs now than under the old rates.
Why charges matter more for frequent traders
On a single trade the charges look small, but they are paid on every trade, win or lose. A scalper taking 20 option trades a day can pay more in charges than they make. Use the breakeven figure to decide whether a setup's expected move is big enough to be worth trading.
Frequently asked questions
What charges are included apart from brokerage?
Securities Transaction Tax (STT), NSE exchange transaction charges, SEBI turnover fee, stamp duty on the buy side, 18% GST on brokerage plus exchange and SEBI charges, and DP charges when you sell delivery shares.
Why is STT on options charged on premium and not on the contract value?
For options, STT on the sell side is levied on the premium turnover (premium × quantity). On exercise of in-the-money options it is charged on the settlement value instead, which this calculator does not model.
How many lots or shares do I need to cover charges?
The calculator shows the breakeven points per unit — the price move needed just to recover all charges. Enter your quantity and it divides total charges by quantity.
Can I use my own rates, for example for BSE or a different DP charge?
Yes. Open “Advanced: custom rates” below the brokerage fields to edit STT, exchange charges, stamp duty, DP charges, SEBI fee and GST. Switching segment or pressing reset restores the current NSE rates.
Are these rates up to date?
Rates were last checked in October 2026 and use from 1 apr 2026 (budget 2026) rates. Exchanges and the government revise them occasionally, so check your contract note for exact figures.
How much did the April 2026 STT hike increase F&O costs?
Budget 2026 raised STT on futures from 0.02% to 0.05% of the sell value, and on options from 0.1% to 0.15% of the sell premium, from 1 April 2026. Equity intraday and delivery STT did not change. For F&O trades the calculator shows what the same trade would have cost under the old rates.
Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not investment, tax or financial advice. Verify figures with your broker or advisor before acting on them.