Gross profit vs. net profit: differences, formulas, and strategies for growth

Profits offer a direct snapshot of your business’s financial performance. Keeping a close eye on financial metrics, including margins, can help you determine whether you need to make changes to your business if it is not on financially stable footing.
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However, gross profit and net profit differ significantly in how each metric measures financial performance. It's common for entrepreneurs and business leaders to confuse the two types of profit because they have many similarities.
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You'll find both gross profits and net profits on a company's income statement. Both gross profit and net profit are backward-looking measures, focused on the amount of money a company made in a period that has already passed. But there are also some critical distinctions between the two.

What is gross profit?

Gross profit is the amount of money a company earns after accounting for the costs incurred to create those sales. Also called gross income, gross profit typically appears as a line when you prepare an income statement. Gross profit does not take operating expenses into account.

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Gross profit formula

To calculate gross profit, use the following formula:
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Gross Profit = Total Revenue – Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
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For example, if your company generates $500,000 in revenue and incurs $300,000 in COGS, your gross profit would be $200,000.
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The more money a company makes on each sale, the higher its gross profit. Companies use gross profits to pay for the operating costs of running a business.

Components of gross profit

You need two elements to calculate gross profit:

1. Total Revenue: This is all income generated from sales before any deductions. It represents the total amount of money earned from selling your products or services.
2. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): These are all direct costs tied to producing your goods or delivering your services. COGS includes expenses like raw materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead directly associated with production. Knowing the difference between COGS and Operating Expenses is crucial for accurate financial reporting.

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COGS includes several direct costs essential to your production process:

• Raw materials and inventory: These are the basic components required to create your product. Efficient sourcing and management of raw materials can significantly reduce production costs.
• Direct labor costs for production workers: This includes wages for employees who are directly involved in manufacturing your goods or providing your services. Optimizing labor efficiency can lead to substantial savings.
• Manufacturing overhead directly tied to production: These are costs such as equipment maintenance, utilities for the production facility, and depreciation of manufacturing equipment. Properly managing these overhead costs can improve your overall gross profit.

How gross profit guides business decisions

Gross profit is a measure of your company's revenue that does not take into account expenses such as rent, utilities, or taxes. The main reasons you need to know your gross profit include:

• Evaluating Production Efficiency: It helps you understand how effectively you're managing production costs relative to revenue generated.
• Pricing Decisions: Knowing your gross profit assists in setting competitive prices while ensuring profitability.
• Cost Management: Monitoring gross profit helps you identify areas where production costs might be reduced without sacrificing quality.

Investors, vendors, and financial institutions often request your gross profit data when evaluating partnerships or credit applications.

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Understanding your gross revenue and your gross profit alone does not give you a complete financial picture of the company. It's essential to consider other financial metrics alongside gross profit.

What is net profit?

‍Net profit is the amount of total money a company earns after subtracting the cost of goods sold (COGS), as well as any other expenses incurred by the business, including operating expenses, interest payments, and taxes.Net profit is a more comprehensive measure of a company's financial health than gross profit, and it's a bit more complicated to calculate.

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In addition to direct costs, net profit also includes other types of non-sales revenue that a company receives, such as interest on investments or gains from the sale of an asset.

Net profit formula

To calculate net profit, use the following formula:
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Net Profit = Total Revenue – Total Expenses
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Or, breaking it down further:
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Net Profit = Gross Profit – Operating Expenses – Interest Payments – Income Taxes
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For example, if your company has a gross profit of $200,000, and total expenses (including operating expenses, interest, and taxes) amount to $150,000, your net profit would be $50,000.

Key applications of net profit

You need to know your company's net profit because it's the amount of money a company ultimately generates in a period. Net profit is the number that companies talk about when discussing their bottom line, and learning how to calculate net profit margin provides a realistic picture of your company's profitability and operational efficiency.
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Net profit can help you make strategic decisions, such as ones on business expansion, investment opportunities, and cost management strategies. It also indicates whether your company is financially sustainable in the long term.
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Further, investors or lenders might look at net profits as a way of determining whether it makes financial sense for them to put money into your business. Net profit also  reflects your company's ability to generate profit after all expenses, which is crucial for sustainability and growth.
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Net profit is also a measure of how much profit is available for reinvestment into the business, paying dividends to shareholders, or building reserves.
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For modern businesses, maintaining healthy net profit margins requires careful balance, especially in competitive sectors where operational costs can quickly erode profitability. By keeping a close eye on net profit, businesses can adapt strategies to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
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Gross profit vs net profit

Understanding gross profit and net profit is crucial because gross profit reveals how efficiently you generate revenue from production, while net profit shows your actual earnings after all business expenses. You calculate net profit by subtracting operating costs, taxes, and interest from your gross profit.

Key Differences

Aspect Gross Profit Net Profit Definition Profit after deducting COGS from total revenue Profit remaining after all expenses Formula Total Revenue – COGS Total Revenue – Total Expenses Components Considered Only direct production costs All business expenses

Leveraging technology for profit optimization

Using modern technology will help you make small targeted changes, and make better decisions, leading to significant improvements in your profit margin:

• Financial Software Integration: Use integrated accounting systems to combine accounting, invoicing, and expense management into a single platform for better visibility.
• Data Analytics: Use analytics to identify trends, forecast future performance, and make data-driven decisions.
• Automation: Automate routine tasks to reduce costs and free up resources for strategic initiatives.

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Embracing technology not only improves efficiency but can also enhance operating profit by providing the agility needed to stay competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.
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Remember that profit metrics should inform both short-term operational decisions and long-term strategic planning. By continuously monitoring and analyzing these metrics, you can make proactive decisions that drive growth and profitability.

Net profit on financial statements

Net profit typically appears as a line item on a company's income statement, representing the final figure after all revenues and expenses have been accounted for. It provides a clear picture of the company's profitability during a specific period.
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Net profit does not typically appear on other financial documents, such as the cash flow statement or the balance sheet, but it is an essential figure for assessing overall financial performance.
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You can also find the net profit on a profit and loss statement, which breaks down your gross income, cost of sales, and other overhead expenses.

Streamline gross and net profit tracking with Ramp

Ramp can help you uncover hidden savings and keep your net profit on track. One way is by lowering vendor costs instead of paying full price for vital services. With Ramp, you can save 25% off your first year of 1Password, $25,000 in fee-free processing from Stripe, or up to $100,000 in credits for Amazon Web Services.
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Ramp's travel solution also makes travel accounting simple. The platform allows employees to book travel directly through their system, automatically capturing receipts, tracking spending, and ensuring compliance with company travel policies.
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By integrating expense management and invoice processing into one streamlined system, Ramp offers real-time visibility into every transaction. This not only reduces tedious paperwork but also highlights opportunities to cut costs before they add up.
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Collectively, these steps can lighten the load on your finance team and help you spend money where it matters most—growing your business. Rather than chasing after lost dollars, you’ll have the clarity and control to drive sustained profitability.