Value of a Call or Put Option

Price a stock option using the classic Black-Scholes formula.

Your numbers

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Option value

Fair value
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Uses the Black-Scholes model for European options on a non-dividend-paying stock. Real option pricing involves dividends, early exercise, and changing volatility. Illustrative, not trading advice.
About this calculator

Value of a Call or Put Option

This calculator prices a European call or put option on a non-dividend stock using the Black-Scholes model.

How Black-Scholes values an option

The model estimates a fair price from the stock price, strike, time to expiration, volatility, and risk-free rate. It assumes the option is European, meaning it can only be exercised at expiration, and that the underlying stock pays no dividends. Volatility is the biggest driver of the result, so a small change in the annual volatility input can move the price noticeably.

Reading the intrinsic and time value

The option price splits into intrinsic value, the amount it is already in the money, and time value, the extra worth of holding it until expiration. Options that are far from the strike or close to expiring carry less time value. This tool is for education and does not account for early exercise, dividends, transaction costs, or real market bid-ask spreads.

How to use it

  1. Choose whether you are pricing a call or a put.
  2. Enter the current stock price and the strike price.
  3. Enter the days to expiration and the annual volatility.
  4. Enter the risk-free rate and read the estimated option value.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a call and a put?

A call gains value when the stock rises above the strike, while a put gains value when the stock falls below it. You select the type at the top of the calculator.

Why does volatility change the price so much?

Higher volatility means a wider range of possible outcomes, which raises the chance the option finishes deeply in the money. Because losses are capped at the premium, that added uncertainty increases the option's value.

Does this work for American options or dividend stocks?

No, it assumes a European option on a stock that pays no dividends. American options and dividend payers can differ, so treat this as an approximation only.

See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.

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