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Bull Call Spread Calculator

bullish

A bull call spread is a vertical debit spread: you buy a lower-strike call and sell a higher-strike call at the same expiration. It reduces cost vs. a naked long call while capping your upside at the short strike.

Max Profit
(Width of strikes − Net debit) × 100
Max Loss
Net debit paid × 100
Break Even
Long strike + Net debit
Underlying

When to Use a Bull Call Spread

  • You are moderately bullish — expecting a move up but not an explosion
  • You want to reduce the cost of a long call by selling a higher-strike call
  • Implied volatility is elevated, making naked long calls expensive
  • You want defined risk on both sides

Risks

  • Max profit is capped at the short strike — you miss out on large moves
  • You still lose the full debit if the stock is below the long strike at expiry
  • Time decay works against you (net debit position)

How a Bull Call Spread Works


Buy a call at strike A and sell a call at strike B (B > A), same expiration. The short call partially finances the long call, lowering your breakeven and cost.


Example

AAPL at $195. Buy the $195 call for $5.80, sell the $205 call for $2.20. Net debit: $3.60 ($360).


  • AAPL at $210: Both calls ITM. Profit = ($10 − $3.60) × 100 = $640.
  • AAPL at $198.60: Break-even. The long call is worth $3.60, offsetting the debit.
  • AAPL at $190: Both expire worthless. Loss = $360 (the debit).

  • Key Takeaway

    Bull call spreads trade unlimited upside for a lower breakeven. They shine in moderately bullish scenarios where you expect the stock to reach but not blow past the short strike.

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