You open your investing app and see three different numbers: a cash figure, a buying power figure, and a total portfolio value. Which one is actually "your money"? It is a common point of confusion, and the answer matters before you place a trade.
This guide shows how to find your balance across trading platforms in general, and explains what each figure really means. The exact menu names vary by app, but the ideas are the same everywhere. This is general education, not financial advice.
Where to find your balance
Most trading platforms put your balance front and center, but the path differs slightly between the mobile app and the website.
On a mobile app
Open your investing app, and your main dashboard or home screen usually shows your total value right at the top. This is often the first number you see after logging in. If you are brand new and still working out how to start investing, this dashboard is usually where you will spend the most time.
To see the breakdown, tap into an account or portfolio tab. There you will typically find separate lines for cash, buying power, and your holdings.
Most popular apps follow this pattern. Robinhood, for instance, is a commission-free app that puts your total portfolio value on the home screen and tucks the cash and buying-power breakdown one tap away, which makes it a clear example of the layout described here. Look for labels such as "Account," "Portfolio," or "Balances" in the menu.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
On a web portal
On a brokerage website, log in and look for a tab named "Accounts," "Balances," or "Portfolio." The web view often shows more detail than the app.
Web portals frequently break the balance into categories like settled cash, unsettled funds, and margin if you have it. If you want the fullest picture, the desktop site is usually the place to look. Public is another beginner-friendly platform that labels these figures in plain language across both its app and web view, which helps if you are still learning what each balance number means.
What each balance figure means
Here is the part that trips people up. The cash balance, buying power, and portfolio value are three different numbers, and confusing them can lead to a rejected or oversized trade. Let me break down each one.
Cash balance
Your cash balance is the actual money sitting in your account that is not invested. It is the dollars available after any deposits, sales, or withdrawals.
Watch for the difference between settled and unsettled cash. When you sell a stock, the cash may take a day or two to settle before you can withdraw it, even though it shows in your balance.
Buying power
Buying power is how much you can actually spend on new investments right now. In a basic cash account, it often equals your settled cash. The distinction between cash balance and buying power catches a lot of new investors off guard, so it is worth understanding before you place an order.
If you have a margin account, buying power can be higher than your cash because the broker is lending you money. The difference between a margin account and a cash account directly changes how much buying power you see. Margin increases both potential gains and potential losses, so treat that extra buying power with care. Investing on margin involves added risk.
Portfolio value
Portfolio value, sometimes called total account value, is the big-picture number. It adds your cash to the current market value of everything you own.
So if you have $500 in cash and $1,500 in stocks, your portfolio value is $2,000. This figure moves up and down all day as your investments change price, which is why it rarely sits still.
Public
Public
Investing for those who take it seriously. Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto & more.
Standout feature
A 5%+ yield Bond Account paired with 3.3% APY on cash — Public is one of the only consumer apps where idle and conservative money is treated as seriously as the equity portfolio.
Fees
Free
Pros
• Invest in stocks, bonds, crypto & more• Earn 3.3% APY* on your cash with no fees• 1% match when you transfer your portfolio• Lock in a 5%+ yield with a Bond Account
Cons
Customer support is in-app and email only, no phone
A quick comparison
Here is how the three figures relate at a glance.
| Figure | What it shows | Changes when |
|---|---|---|
| Cash balance | Uninvested money in the account | You deposit, withdraw, buy, or sell |
| Buying power | What you can invest right now | Cash settles or margin is used |
| Portfolio value | Cash plus market value of holdings | Prices move or you trade |
Knowing which number to check saves confusion. Use buying power before placing a trade, and use portfolio value to track your overall progress.
Other balance terms you might see
Trading platforms sometimes show extra figures. A few are worth recognizing.
- Settled cash is money fully cleared and available to withdraw or reinvest without restriction.
- Unsettled funds are proceeds from a recent sale that have not finished processing.
- Pending transfers are deposits still moving from your bank, which may not be investable yet.
- Margin balance is the amount you have borrowed, if you use a margin account.
If a number looks off, check whether some funds are still settling or transferring. That explains most surprises. If you are trying to move settled cash out, our walkthrough on transferring money from Robinhood to a bank shows how the timing works.
The same balance ideas carry over if you also hold crypto. On a regulated exchange like Gemini, you will see a comparable split between available cash, holdings value, and pending transfers, though crypto trades around the clock and its portfolio value can swing far more sharply than stocks, so the figures move even when traditional markets are closed.
Gemini
Gemini
Buy, sell, and trade 70+ cryptocurrencies on one of America's most trusted and regulated exchanges. Founded by the Winklevoss twins, Gemini makes crypto simple and secure — plus get $15 in free Bitcoin when you trade $100.
Standout feature
Highly regulated exchange. Get $15 in free Bitcoin with $100 trade. 70+ coins available.
Fees
Free
Pros
One of the most regulated crypto exchanges. Strong security standards. Get $15 in free Bitcoin.
Cons
Higher fees than some competitors on the basic platform.
Why your balance can look different than expected
A few normal situations can make your balance seem wrong when it is not.
Recent deposits may show as pending and not yet be available to trade. Recent sales may show as unsettled, so the cash is there but not withdrawable for a day or two.
Your portfolio value also shifts constantly during market hours as prices change. A drop in portfolio value does not mean money left your account. It usually just reflects your holdings being worth a bit less at that moment.
If something still looks wrong after accounting for these, check your transaction history. Most platforms list every deposit, trade, and fee so you can trace where the money went. When in doubt, contact your broker's support.
Quick tips for checking your balance
A little routine makes this easier. Here are some habits that help.
Check your buying power before you place a trade so an order is not rejected. Glance at portfolio value to track long-term progress, not minute-to-minute swings. Review your transaction history monthly to catch fees or errors early. Keeping the investing basics in mind helps you read these numbers without overreacting to them.
Remember that all investing involves risk, and balances move with the market. Watching the numbers helps you stay informed, but try not to let short-term swings drive emotional decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cash balance and buying power?
Cash balance is the uninvested money sitting in your account, while buying power is how much you can actually spend on new investments right now. In a basic cash account they are often the same, but in a margin account buying power can be higher because the broker lends you money. Always check buying power before placing a trade.
Why is my portfolio value different from my cash balance?
Portfolio value includes your cash plus the current market value of every investment you hold, while cash balance is only the uninvested money. So if you own stocks or funds, your portfolio value will normally be larger than your cash. Portfolio value also rises and falls throughout the day as prices change.
Why can't I withdraw my full balance after selling a stock?
When you sell a stock, the proceeds often need a day or two to settle before you can withdraw them. During that window the cash may appear in your balance but show as unsettled. Once it settles, you can withdraw or reinvest it without restriction.
Where do I find my balance on a trading app?
Most trading apps show your total value on the home or dashboard screen right after you log in. For a detailed breakdown of cash, buying power, and holdings, tap into the "Account," "Portfolio," or "Balances" section. On a brokerage website, look for a similarly named tab, which often shows even more detail.
