Intraday trades finish within a single market session, and these quick turnarounds attract active traders looking for faster opportunities. Yet, every buy and sell order carries a cost that quietly eats up the returns.
A proper Intraday Trading Charges Breakdown reveals how costs like intraday brokerage charges, taxes, stamp duty, and exchange fees can reduce the returns. The new traders might only track price movement and overlook these deductions that determine the final earnings.
This blog covers every intraday cost, hidden charges, broker comparisons, and real calculations so that traders can estimate their actual profit before placing a trade.
What Are Intraday Trading Charges?
Intraday trading charges are the total costs paid for buying and selling stocks within the same trading day. These charges include brokerage set by your broker, taxes like STT and GST, regulatory fees from SEBI, exchange transaction charges, and stamp duty.
Every intraday order generates a cost on both buy and sell sides, and the combined amount directly reduces the net profit or adds to the losses. Understanding these charges helps traders calculate the true cost of trading and select brokers that offer better value.
All Charges Applicable on Intraday Trading
Check out the charges applicable on intraday trading!
Brokerage Charges
Intraday brokerage charges are the fee paid to the broker for every trade. Most brokers charge either a small percentage of the trade value, around 0.01%–0.05% or a flat amount per order, usually at ₹20.
Discount brokers stick to simple flat pricing, so the traders know exactly what they’ll pay. Full-service brokers often use a percentage model, for example. 0.03%, which can cost more as the trade size increases.
Securities Transaction Tax (STT)
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) applies only when the trader exits an intraday equity trade. The tax is calculated on the sale value of the order, which means frequent trading pushes this cost higher. For equity intraday trades, the current STT rate is 0.025% on the total sell amount.
Exchange Transaction Charges
Exchange transaction charges are fees collected by the stock exchanges for processing your trades. They’re calculated on your total turnover and applied to both the buy and sell sides. For intraday equity, the rates are tiny, but they do add up. NSE charges 0.00297% and BSE charges 0.00375%, which differ across categories.
SEBI Turnover Fees
SEBI adds a regulatory fee on every trade a trader makes. It’s extremely small, just 0.0001% of the trade value, or ₹10 per crore. Even though the amount feels negligible, it still becomes part of the total intraday cost and gets added to the final profit or loss.
GST on Brokerage & Transaction Charges
GST on intraday trades is charged at 18%, but not on the profits. It’s only applied to the combined cost of brokerage and exchange transaction charges. For example, if the brokerage is ₹100 and the exchange charges are ₹20, then the GST will be 18% of ₹120, which comes to ₹21.60. The total fee becomes ₹141.60. This GST rule stays the same across brokers for intraday, F&O, and currency trades.
Stamp Duty
Stamp duty on intraday equity trades is a government fee charged only on the buy side. The rate is 0.003% of the transaction value or ₹300 per ₹1 crore. It’s a separate cost from brokerage and STT, and while the rates can slightly differ by state, intraday trading platforms generally follow this fixed percentage.
Other Hidden Charges Traders Ignore
Some intraday costs aren’t visible in the basic brokerage list and vary across platforms. If the traders don’t close their trades on time, auto square-off will be charged plus GST per order. There can be account maintenance charges, penalties for long inactivity, and extra fees for call-and-trade orders. Borrowing margin also attracts daily interest, and a small payment fee may apply when adding or withdrawing funds.
How Intraday Charges Are Calculated
Let’s understand how the intraday charges are calculated!
Sample Intraday Charge Calculation (Profit Case)
A trader buys 100 shares of BEX Limited at ₹500 and sells at ₹510 on NSE. Brokerage is ₹20 per order.
Trade Values
- Buy price: 100 × ₹500 = ₹50,000
- Sell price: 100 × ₹510 = ₹51,000
- Total turnover: ₹50,000 + ₹51,000 = ₹1,01,000
- Gross profit: (₹510 – ₹500) × 100 = ₹1,000
Charges
- Brokerage: ₹20 (buy) + ₹20 (sell) = ₹40
- STT: 0.025% × ₹51,000 = 0.00025 × 51,000 = ₹12.75
- Exchange charges (NSE): 0.00297% × ₹1,01,000 = ₹3
- SEBI fee: 0.0001% × ₹1,01,000 = ~₹0.10
- Stamp duty: 0.003% × ₹50,000 = ₹1.50
- GST: 18% × (₹40 + ₹3 + ₹0.10) = 18% × ₹43.10 = ₹7.76
Total Charges = ₹40 + ₹12.75 + ₹3 + ₹0.10 + ₹1.50 + ₹7.76 = ₹65.11
Net Profit = ₹1,000 – ₹65.11 = ₹934.89
Sample Calculation (Loss Case)
A trader buys 100 shares of PXD Limited at ₹500 and sells them at ₹490 the same day on NSE. Brokerage is ₹20 per order.
Trade Values
- Buy value: 100 × ₹500 = ₹50,000
- Sell value: 100 × ₹490 = ₹49,000
- Total turnover: ₹50,000 + ₹49,000 = ₹99,000
- Gross loss: (₹490 – ₹500) × 100 = –₹1,000
Charges
- Brokerage: ₹20 (buy) + ₹20 (sell) = ₹40
- STT: 0.025% × ₹49,000 = 0.00025 × 49,000 = ₹12.25
- Exchange charges (NSE): 0.00297% × ₹99,000 = ₹2.94
- SEBI fee: 0.0001% × ₹99,000 = ₹0.10
- Stamp duty: 0.003% × ₹50,000 = ₹1.50
- GST: 18% × (₹40 + ₹2.94 + ₹0.10) = 18% × ₹43.04 = ₹7.75
Total Charges = ₹40 + ₹12.25 + ₹2.94 + ₹0.10 + ₹1.50 + ₹7.75 = ₹64.54
Net Loss = –₹1,000 – ₹64.54 = –₹1,064.54
Broker-Wise Intraday Charges Comparison
Most popular brokers keep the intraday pricing quite close, and discount platforms usually stick to a flat rate of ₹20 per completed order.
Table: Zerodha vs Upstox vs Angel One vs ICICI Direct vs Groww
| Charges | Zerodha | Upstox | Angel One | ICICI Direct | Groww |
| Brokerage Charge | 0.03% or ₹20 | 0.03% or ₹20 | ₹20 or 0.1%, minimum ₹5 | ₹20 | 0.03% or ₹20 |
| STT | 0.025% | 0.025% | 0.025% | 0.025% | 0.025% |
| Transaction Charges (NSE) | 0.00297% | 0.00297% | 0.00297% | 0.00307% | 0.00297% |
| GST charges | 18% on brokerage + SEBI charges + transaction charges | 18% on brokerage + SEBI charges + transaction charges | 18% on brokerage + SEBI charges + transaction charges | 18% on brokerage + SEBI charges + transaction charges | 18% on brokerage + SEBI charges + transaction charges |
| SEBI Charges | ₹10 per crore | ₹10 per crore | ₹10 per crore | 0.0001% | ₹10 per crore |
| Stamp Duty | 0.003% or ₹300 per crore on the buy side | 0.003% or ₹300 per crore on the buy side | 0.003% or ₹300 per crore on the buy side | 0.003% | 0.003% or ₹300 per crore on the buy side |
Are Zero-Brokerage Plans Really Zero?
The zero-brokerage plans aren’t really free. They waive the broker’s commission, especially for equity delivery, but the traders still pay taxes like STT and stamp duty, exchange charges, SEBI fees, and GST. Some brokers also add Depository Participant (DP) charges, Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC), or flat fees for intraday and F&O trades.
So the zero only covers the broker’s fee, not the full trading cost. These plans attract users with low charges upfront, but the real cost depends on statutory fees and additional services..
Tips to Reduce Intraday Trading Charges
- Choose a Discount Broker: Pick a platform that charges a flat fee or zero brokerage on trades, which are usually much cheaper than full-service brokers.
- Look Out for Promotions: Some brokers drop brokerage or AMC for a limited time, and grabbing these offers will be beneficial if they fit the plan.
- Negotiate Fees: The high-volume traders can request lower brokerage rates directly from the broker.
- Watch for Hidden Costs: The traders should check for extra charges, such as inactivity fees, margin interest, account opening, or paid market data. It helps in avoiding surprise deductions.
Who Should Choose Discount Brokers vs Full-Service Brokers
Discount brokers are ideal for traders who want low-cost transactions and don’t need advisory support. They suit self-directed investors who prefer making their own decisions, active traders who place frequent orders, and tech-savvy users comfortable with online platforms. They work best for people with simple investment needs who don’t require detailed financial planning services.
Full-service brokers are best for investors who want expert guidance, personalised advice, and complete financial planning rather than managing investments on their own. They suit beginners, hands-off investors, and those with large capital who are comfortable paying higher fees for research support, portfolio management, tax and retirement planning, and access to dedicated advisors or physical branch assistance.
Hidden Penalties If You Miss Square-Off Timing
- Broker Auto Square-Off Fees: If a trader doesn’t close their intraday position on time, the broker will do it and charge a fee per order + GST.
- Unexpected Losses: Auto square-off happens at the current market price. If the market is volatile, the trader could exit at a bad price and lose more than planned.
- Margin Shortfall Penalties: If the position gets carried forward without enough margin, a penalty for the shortfall can be charged.
- Forced Liquidation: If the trader still doesn’t have enough margin, the broker may sell other stocks in the account to recover funds, and it can happen without warning.
Final Takeaway
Every intraday trade carries charges such as brokerage, STT, GST, stamp duty, and exchange fees that directly impact the final earnings. Even missed square-off timings can trigger penalties and bigger losses. Therefore, tracking these costs helps the traders to estimate their true profit before entering a trade and choose brokers that offer better value for frequent transactions.
FAQs
Intraday might feel cheaper because of flat brokerage plans, but the charges can stack up due to the taxes and fees applied on both buy and sell sides. Delivery trades avoid some costs, especially repeated fees from frequent orders, so intraday can actually feel more expensive for high-volume traders.
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is charged on the sale value of intraday trades, no matter whether the trader gains or loses. STT does not depend on profit, and it’s a mandatory tax on transactions, which is why traders still pay it even after closing a losing trade.
Yes. Most of the brokers apply brokerage on both sides of the trade, even if it’s a flat ₹20 per order. Along with brokerage, the trader also pays GST, exchange charges, and other fees linked to both buying and selling, which collectively impact the final profit.
The intraday charges can’t be fully avoided because taxes and regulatory fees are mandatory. The traders can cut costs by choosing a discount broker, avoiding call-and-trade charges, reducing unnecessary orders, and avoiding penalties such as auto square-off fees or margin interest.
The discount platforms that charge a flat fee per order offer the lowest cost for intraday traders. The brokers such as Zerodha, Upstox, Angel One, and Groww keep intraday pricing competitive. The full-service brokers usually cost more because they charge percentage-based brokerage and advisory fees.
