Calendar Spread Payoff Calculator

Model long or short calendar spreads with assumptions. Compare calls, puts, volatility, and contract size. Visual results simplify planning, testing, exporting, and decision making.

Calculator Inputs

Example Data Table

This sample shows a long call calendar spread using one contract, a 100 share multiplier, 30 near days, 90 far days, and no volatility shock.

Input Example Value
Strategy SideLong Calendar Spread
Option TypeCall
Current Spot Price100.00
Strike Price100.00
Near Premium3.20
Far Premium5.80
Near Days / Far Days30 / 90
Rate / Dividend Yield4.50% / 0.00%
Near Vol / Far Vol22% / 25%
Contracts / Multiplier1 / 100

Formula Used

1. Initial cashflow: Initial cashflow = negative of signed premiums. Long positions pay premium. Short positions receive premium.

2. Near leg settlement at near expiry: Call intrinsic = max(S - K, 0). Put intrinsic = max(K - S, 0).

3. Far leg estimated value at near expiry: The calculator prices the far leg with the Black-Scholes model using remaining time, interest rate, dividend yield, and shocked far volatility.

4. Black-Scholes terms: d1 = [ln(S/K) + (r - q + 0.5σ²)T] / [σ√T]. d2 = d1 - σ√T.

5. Call value: C = Se-qTN(d1) - Ke-rTN(d2).

6. Put value: P = Ke-rTN(-d2) - Se-qTN(-d1).

7. Estimated payoff at near expiry: Profit or loss = initial cashflow + signed far value + signed near intrinsic, then multiplied by contracts and contract size.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Choose long or short calendar spread, then select call or put.
  2. Enter the current spot price and the shared strike price.
  3. Provide the near and far premiums from your pricing source.
  4. Enter days to expiry for both legs. The far leg must expire later.
  5. Fill in rate, dividend yield, near volatility, far volatility, and any volatility shift expected at near expiry.
  6. Set contracts, shares per contract, price range, and step size.
  7. Press calculate to view the result summary, Greeks, payoff chart, and scenario table above the form.
  8. Use the CSV and PDF buttons to save the scenario analysis.

FAQs

1. What is a calendar spread?

A calendar spread uses the same strike with different expiries. Traders usually sell the nearer option and buy the farther option, or reverse that structure for a short calendar.

2. Why does the calculator use a theoretical far-leg value?

At the near expiry date, the back-month option still has time value left. The calculator estimates that remaining value using the pricing inputs you supply.

3. What does the volatility shift field do?

It adjusts the far-leg volatility used at the near expiry date. This helps you test how profit changes if implied volatility rises or falls before the front leg expires.

4. Are the break-even points exact?

They are approximations from the scanned price range and step size. Smaller step values usually produce more precise break-even estimates.

5. Why can the maximum profit change with volatility?

Calendar spreads often depend heavily on remaining time value. When the far option keeps more value, the spread can improve even if the front leg expires near the strike.

6. What is shown in the Greeks section?

The table shows net entry Greeks for both legs combined. These values estimate sensitivity to price, time decay, volatility, and interest-rate changes.

7. Can I use this for puts and short calendars?

Yes. You can switch between call and put structures and choose long or short calendar positioning from the form.

8. Is this output guaranteed to match broker software?

No. Different brokers may use different volatility surfaces, rates, dividend assumptions, and exercise models. Treat this tool as an analytical estimator.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.