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Bear Call Spread Calculator

bearish

A bear call spread is a vertical credit spread: you sell a lower-strike call and buy a higher-strike call. You collect a net credit and profit if the stock stays below the short strike.

Max Profit
Net credit received × 100
Max Loss
(Width of strikes − Net credit) × 100
Break Even
Short strike + Net credit
Underlying

When to Use a Bear Call Spread

  • You are neutral to mildly bearish
  • You want to sell premium and collect theta
  • Implied volatility is elevated
  • You want defined risk compared to a naked short call

Risks

  • You lose if the stock rises above the short strike plus credit
  • Max loss exceeds max profit
  • Early assignment risk on the short call

How a Bear Call Spread Works


Sell a call at strike A and buy a call at strike B (B > A), same expiration. You collect a net credit and want the stock to stay below strike A.


Example

AAPL at $195. Sell the $195 call for $5.40, buy the $200 call for $3.00. Net credit: $2.40 ($240).


  • AAPL at $190: Both expire worthless. Keep the $240 credit.
  • AAPL at $197.40: Break-even.
  • AAPL at $205: Max loss = ($5 − $2.40) × 100 = $260.

  • Key Takeaway

    Bear call spreads are the bearish cousin of the bull put spread. Sell premium, collect theta, profit when the stock stays flat or drops.

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