# Free Float Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/finance/free-float/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The free float calculator works out how many of a company's shares are available for public trading – outstanding shares minus restricted and closely held shares – and the free float percentage and market value.

## Inputs

- Outstanding shares
- Restricted shares
- Closely held shares
- Share price

## Results

- Free float
- Free float percentage
- Free-float market capitalisation

## Formula

```
Free float = outstanding shares − restricted shares − closely held shares
Free float % = free float ÷ outstanding shares × 100
```

## Explanation

Index providers like S&P and MSCI weight companies by free-float market cap. A low free float can make a stock more volatile and less liquid, because few shares actually trade.

### How to use the Free Float Calculator

- **Outstanding shares**
- **Restricted shares**
- **Closely held shares**
- **Share price**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the outstanding shares, restricted shares, closely held shares (insiders, governments, strategic holders) and the share price.

### Tips

- Take figures from the same financial statements and the same fiscal year.
- Compare ratios with companies in the same industry, not across industries.
- Use several valuation measures together; no single ratio tells the whole story.
- Market prices change every second – refresh the share price before you rely on a result.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Mixing per-share figures with company totals.
- Using trailing earnings for one company and forward earnings for another.
- Forgetting dilution from options and convertible securities.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterOutstanding sharesA numberRestricted sharesA numberClosely held sharesA numberShare priceAmount in your currency

### What each result means

- **Free float** = [Outstanding shares] - [Restricted shares] - [Closely held shares]
- **Free float percentage** = [Free float]÷[Outstanding shares]×100
- **Free-float market capitalisation** = [Free float]×[Share price]

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Outstanding shares** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Outstanding sharesFree float percentage (%)50,000,0005075,000,00066.67100,000,00075125,000,00080150,000,00083.33200,000,00087.5

## Worked example

Inputs — Outstanding shares: 100,000,000; Restricted shares: 5,000,000; Closely held shares: 20,000,000; Share price: $30.

Results — Free float = 75,000,000 shares; **Free float percentage = 75 %**; Free-float market capitalisation = $2,250,000,000.00.

## FAQ

**What is free float?**
The shares available for public trading.

**Why does free float matter?**
Low float stocks can be illiquid and volatile.

**Do indexes use free float?**
Most major indexes weight companies by free-float market cap.

**What formula does the Free Float Calculator use?**
Free float = outstanding shares − restricted shares − closely held shares.