Finance · Investments & Markets

Historical Value at Risk Calculator

Estimate loss at a selected empirical return quantile.

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Quick guide

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter observations in chronological or paired order exactly as the row help specifies.
  2. Keep all return periods, currencies, weights, and value units consistent.
  3. Review the sample, population, quantile, or compounding convention before interpreting the result.

Calculation method

Calculation method

Historical VaR uses the worst ceil[(1−confidence)×n] observations and the least severe return in that tail as the threshold.

Entered fixed decimals are parsed exactly. Statistical square roots and geometric averages are marked approximate and reject undefined or non-finite cases.

Worked example

Worked example

At 75% confidence, returns −10%, −5%, 0%, 5%, and exposure 1,000 use the worst one observation and produce VaR 100.

Historical VaR uses the worst ceil[(1−confidence)×n] observations and the least severe return in that tail as the threshold.

Supported inputs

Precision and limits

Visible input limits

Lists accept 1–2,000 rows. Each fixed decimal accepts at most 30 digits and 12 decimal places and is capped at an absolute value of 1e12. Formula-specific positive, weight, and probability domains are enforced.

International scope

No currency, exchange, benchmark, security, observation frequency, market-data source, or regulatory risk convention is selected automatically.

Decision boundary

Historical and scenario statistics do not predict returns, measure every risk, cap losses, or recommend an investment.

Calculator-specific assumptions

Historical observations may not represent future losses. Quantile conventions vary; this page states and uses its discrete ceiling convention. A gain-only selected tail is floored at zero loss.