What are grid profit and unrealized profit?
Last reviewed: September 9, 2026.
Your grid profit can be positive while your investment is down because completed grid trades and the assets still held by the bot contribute different results. If the losses on those holdings exceed the gains from completed trades, the overall result is negative.
This explanation concerns an ordinary Spot Grid Bot. Futures, margin and leveraged products have additional costs and risks.
What each figure tells you
| Figure | What it describes | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Grid profit | The result attributed to completed grid trading cycles | Whether the whole investment is profitable |
| Unrealized profit or loss | The change in value of holdings that have not yet been sold, measured against their cost basis | The amount you will receive if you sell later |
| Overall investment profit or loss | The combined effect of trading results, holdings and costs, adjusted for money added or removed | A guaranteed final result while the bot still holds assets |
For a specific Pionex bot, check the definitions beside its displayed metrics and its order history. Do not assume that a field with a similar name on another platform uses the same calculation or fee treatment.
Example: positive grid profit, negative total result
Suppose you start with 1,000 USDT. Completed grid cycles generate 40 USDT after their trading fees, while the remaining holdings have an unrealized loss of 150 USDT. Assume there are no other gains, costs, deposits or withdrawals.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Completed grid-cycle profit after fees | +40 USDT |
| Unrealized loss on remaining holdings | −150 USDT |
| Overall result | −110 USDT |
| Current value of the investment | 890 USDT |
The investment is down 11%, even though the grid trades have earned money. These figures are hypothetical and illustrate the distinction; they are not a forecast or an exact reproduction of Pionex’s display calculations.
Check the overall result without counting profits twice
For a simple spot-bot reconciliation, use the same currency and valuation time:
Overall profit or loss = current value of all bot assets + amounts withdrawn − all amounts deposited.
Include the initial investment in deposits and any later top-ups. Count transfers of crypto at their value in the chosen currency when transferred. This measures the bot’s result up to withdrawal, not later gains or losses on withdrawn assets. It is a cash-flow reconciliation, not an annualized return calculation.
If earned grid profits are already included in the bot’s current assets, do not add them again. Likewise, do not subtract trading fees twice if they have already reduced those assets. Selling everything may introduce further fees and execution-price differences.
Does an unrealized loss mean I should keep waiting?
An unrealized loss already reduces the current value of your investment. Waiting does not guarantee a recovery, and withdrawing some grid profit does not erase losses on the remaining holdings. Review your reason for holding the asset, your range and your exit plan rather than using the grid-profit figure alone.
Read the grid-bot parameter guide to review your settings, what happens outside the grid range for the strategy mechanics, and grid-trading risks for loss scenarios.
⚠️ Positive grid profit is not a guarantee of overall profit or a promise of future earnings.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Crypto trading carries significant risk including total loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research before trading.