DCA calculator: dollar-cost averaging backtest
See what buying a fixed dollar amount on a regular schedule would have returned, using real daily prices, compared with investing everything on day one.
What dollar-cost averaging does
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) means buying a fixed dollar amount on a schedule, whatever the price. When prices fall, the same $100 buys more coins; when they rise, it buys fewer. Over time your average cost lands somewhere in the middle, and you avoid putting everything in at a single high point.
DCA doesn't guarantee a profit or protect against a long decline. If a coin falls steadily, a DCA plan loses money too, just more gradually. Investing a lump sum on day one does better when prices mostly rise after that day, and worse when they mostly fall. This backtest shows both.
How the backtest works
We use one daily closing price per day from CoinGecko. Each scheduled purchase buys at that day's price after subtracting the fee you enter. "Value today" uses the latest live price. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Many US exchanges offer free or cheaper recurring buys; Cash App's Auto Invest, for example, charges no fee or spread. Compare them in the buying-cost calculator, and read our guide to DCA.
Buying regularly? Store it safely
Many long-term buyers move their coins to a hardware wallet every few months.
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Results are estimates for information only and are not financial, investment or tax advice. Prices from CoinGecko, updated 9 min ago.