Price ratio change
priceRatio = (currentA / currentB) / (initialA / initialB)This shows how much token A moved relative to token B.
DeFi liquidity pool risk
Estimate impermanent loss when token prices change in a 50/50 AMM liquidity pool. Compare LP value vs HODL value, add optional trading fee assumptions and see the price ratio used in the calculation.
Calculator
Use token prices from the time liquidity was added and the current or target prices you want to test.
Formula: priceRatio = current price ratio / initial price ratio. Standard 50/50 pools use IL = 2 * sqrt(priceRatio) / (1 + priceRatio) - 1.
Definition
Impermanent loss is the difference between holding tokens in a liquidity pool and simply holding the same tokens in your wallet. It happens when the relative price of the pooled assets changes after you provide liquidity.
In a standard AMM pool, the pool rebalances token amounts as traders swap. If one asset rises relative to the other, the LP position gradually holds less of the outperforming asset and more of the underperforming asset. The pool can still gain in dollar terms, but it may be worth less than the HODL alternative.
Formula
This calculator uses the standard AMM impermanent loss formula for a 50/50 liquidity pool. The formula compares the value of your liquidity pool position with the value of simply holding the original tokens.
priceRatio = (currentA / currentB) / (initialA / initialB)This shows how much token A moved relative to token B.
IL = (2 * sqrt(priceRatio) / (1 + priceRatio)) - 1The value is displayed as a negative percentage when LP underperforms HODL.
netDifference = LP value + fees - HODL valueTrading fees can reduce or offset the gap, but fee income depends on real pool activity.
Example
Use cases
Impermanent loss appears when one pooled asset rises or falls relative to the other. The larger the relative price change, the larger the LP vs HODL gap.
Volatile pairs such as ETH/stablecoin or altcoin/stablecoin can show meaningful IL during strong trends or drawdowns.
Stable pairs often have low IL while both assets keep their peg. A depeg can change the price ratio and create a larger gap.
Fees
Trading fees can partially or fully offset impermanent loss, but they are not guaranteed. Fee income depends on pool volume, fee tier, your pool share, token incentives and the time you stay in the pool.
This page lets you add an optional fee amount. If the fee value is your own earned fee income, leave pool share at 0. If the fee value is total pool fees, add your pool share so the calculator estimates your portion.
Limitations
This liquidity pool loss calculator is built for standard 50/50 constant product AMM pools. It may not apply to concentrated liquidity positions, stable swap curves, custom-weighted pools, multi-token pools, protocol-level IL protection or dynamic fee designs.
The calculator does not automatically include gas fees, taxes, MEV, slippage, live pool volume, changing APY, token reward decay, smart contract risk or oracle risk. Add external costs separately when you have them.
Related crypto calculators
Impermanent loss is only one part of the LP decision. Use these related tools to model yield, real return and trading costs.
FAQ
An impermanent loss calculator estimates how much value a liquidity provider may lose compared with simply holding the original tokens when prices change in an AMM pool.
Impermanent loss is calculated by comparing the value of a liquidity pool position with the value of holding the same tokens outside the pool. For a 50/50 AMM pool, the formula uses the relative price change between the two assets.
Yes, trading fees can partially or fully offset impermanent loss, but this depends on pool volume, fee rate, pool share and how much prices diverge.
It becomes realized when you withdraw liquidity while the token prices are different from when you deposited. If prices return to the original ratio before withdrawal, the loss may disappear.
It can be used for standard 50/50 constant product AMM pools such as many Uniswap-style pools. It may not apply to concentrated liquidity, stable pools or custom-weighted pools.
It can happen with stablecoins, but it is usually smaller when both assets remain close to their peg. Depegging events can create larger losses.
LP value is the estimated value of your liquidity pool position after price changes. HODL value is what your tokens would be worth if you had kept them outside the pool.
Gas fees should be added separately if available. They can reduce the net return from providing liquidity.
Quality notes
Lamppoli calculators are designed to answer a practical crypto question quickly, then show the assumptions behind the result.
Use this calculator before or after providing liquidity to a 50/50 AMM-style pool. It compares LP value with simply holding the original tokens.
Use the result as a planning estimate, then review fees, taxes, slippage, liquidity and risk separately before making decisions.
More FAQ
Yes, fees can offset some or all impermanent loss, but fee income depends on volume, pool share, fee tier and time in pool.
The standard 50/50 formula may not fit concentrated liquidity, stable pools or custom-weighted pools without extra assumptions.
Impermanent loss is measured against what the same assets would have been worth if held outside the pool.