Why is the biggest margin not always the best craft?

A margin pays only as fast as the result sells. Profit a day is the margin times the estimated units sold a day on that auction house, so a thin margin on something that sells three hundred a day beats a fat one on something that sells three. Rank by Profit a day to see that order.

Crafting profit

Q: How is crafting profit calculated?

Each reagent is priced at its median on the market, and the result at its median times the recipe's average yield, less the 5 percent auction house cut. A reagent with no price is named rather than counted as free. Deposits and the value of materials you gather yourself are not in the numbers.

Pick a market and a profession. Every recipe is ranked by what it earns at that market's prices right now. Enchantments make no item to sell, so they are costed on the enchants page instead. The crafts that also sell through the week, and the profession leading on each house, are in the gold meta.

On PvP Alliance EU right now, Ghost Dye (Alchemy) makes the most per craft: about 8g 13s after the 5 percent auction house cut. Counting how fast the result sells, Frost Protection Potion (Alchemy) makes the most a day, about 48g 8s from roughly 13 sold a day. 56 of 89 fully priced recipes make a profit.

Current market: PvP Alliance EU, the market with the newest prices. Pick yours below and every tool opens there. Address for this market: ahledger.com/crafting?market=forever/pvp/alliance/eu

1MarketPrices come from the latest scans of this market.2ProfessionAll of them, or one.3Rank byMargin per craft, or that margin times what the market buys a day.4ShowFully priced recipes rank truthfully; every recipe shows what each craft needs.

▸How this is worked out

Reagents are priced at their median, the result at its median times the recipe's average yield, less the 5 percent auction house cut. A reagent with no price is named rather than counted as free. Deposits and the value of your own gathered materials are not in these numbers.

Sold/day is the estimated units of the result sold a day on this auction house over the last week, from consecutive scans; it leans low and is blank where too few hours of scans back it. Profit a day is the margin per unit times that: the most a crafter supplying the whole market could make. A fat margin on something that sells three a day is worth less than a thin one on something that sells three hundred.

What the margin leaves out.

89 recipes · 56 above water · PvP Alliance EU

Craft	Cost	Value	Margin	Return	Sold/day	Profit/day	Reagents
Ghost Dye Alchemy 220 · makes 2 none sold · 0c/day	3g 26s 62c	11g 40s	8g 13s 38c	249%	0	0c	2 × Ghost Mushroom, 1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Purple Dye
Frost Protection Potion Alchemy 165 ~13 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 48g 7s/day	20s 32c	3g 80s	3g 59s 68c	1770%	13	48g 7s	1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Wintersbite
Limited Invulnerability Potion Alchemy 235 none sold · 0c/day	1g 69s 21c	4g 75s	3g 5s 79c	181%	0	0c	2 × Blindweed, 1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Ghost Mushroom
Elixir of Greater Spirit Alchemy 130 none sold · 0c/day	1g 67s	4g 31s 30c	2g 64s 30c	158%	0	0c	3 × Arthas' Tears, 2 × Purple Lotus, 1 × Crystal Vial
Elixir of Greater Strength Alchemy 220 none sold · 0c/day	1g 34s	3g 89s 50c	2g 55s 50c	191%	0	0c	1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Gromsblood, 1 × Sungrass
Greater Mageblood Elixir Alchemy 140 none sold · 0c/day	1g 21s 85c	3g 56s 25c	2g 34s 40c	192%	0	0c	3 × Blindweed, 2 × Arthas' Tears, 1 × Crystal Vial
Elixir of Greater Fortitude Alchemy 165 none sold · 0c/day	2g 26s	3g 72s 40c	1g 46s 40c	65%	0	0c	4 × Sungrass, 1 × Crystal Vial
Elixir of Strength Alchemy 115 ~12 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 12g/day	19s 34c	1g 23s 50c	1g 4s 16c	539%	12	12g	3 × Wild Steelbloom, 1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial
Cleric's Elixir Alchemy 110 <1 sold/day · shelf clears in about 21 days · 58s 85c/day	86s 23c	1g 89s 5c	1g 2s 82c	119%	<1	58s 85c	2 × Firebloom, 2 × Wintersbite, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Greater Intellect Alchemy 210 ~10 sold/day · shelf clears in about 17 days · 8g 87s 35c/day	18s 28c	1g 10s 20c	91s 92c	503%	10	8g 87s 35c	1 × Blindweed, 1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Khadgar's Whisker
Superior Mana Potion Alchemy 235 none sold · 0c/day	1g 33s 90c	2g 10s 15c	76s 25c	57%	0	0c	2 × Blindweed, 2 × Sungrass, 1 × Crystal Vial
Magic Resistance Potion Alchemy 185 <1 sold/day · shelf clears in over two months · 37s 18c/day	23s 33c	91s 16c	67s 83c	291%	<1	37s 18c	1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Khadgar's Whisker, 1 × Purple Lotus
Elemental Fire Alchemy 261 · makes 3 ~48 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · 9g 58s 23c/day	79s 95c	1g 39s 51c	59s 56c	74%	48	9g 58s 23c	1 × Heart of Fire
Frost Oil Alchemy 180 · makes 2 ~34 sold/day · shelf clears in about 5 days · 10g 9s/day	51s 55c	1g 10s 68c	59s 13c	115%	34	10g 9s	4 × Khadgar's Whisker, 2 × Wintersbite, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Intellect Alchemy 100 ~11 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · 6g 20s 9c/day	19s 62c	76s	56s 38c	287%	11	6g 20s 9c	3 × Khadgar's Whisker, 1 × Leaded Vial
Dreamless Sleep Potion Alchemy 205 none sold · 0c/day	47s	95s	48s	102%	0	0c	3 × Purple Lotus, 1 × Crystal Vial
Viridian Dye Alchemy 190 none sold · 0c/day	3g 80s	4g 27s 48c	47s 48c	12%	0	0c	2 × Stranglevine, 1 × Crystal Vial
Elixir of Spirit Alchemy 80 <1 sold/day · shelf clears in over two months · 25s 13c/day	20s 85c	65s 42c	44s 57c	214%	<1	25s 13c	3 × Khadgar's Whisker, 1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial
Great Rage Potion Alchemy 155 none sold · 0c/day	8s 41c	47s 40c	38s 99c	464%	0	0c	1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Large Fang, 1 × Leaded Vial
Fire Protection Potion Alchemy 170 ~3 sold/day · shelf clears in over two months · 49s 31c/day	17s 61c	34s 21c	16s 60c	94%	3	49s 31c	1 × Fire Oil, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Small Flame Sac
Arcane Elixir Alchemy 210 ~33 sold/day · shelf clears in about 4 days · 3g 22s 80c/day	18s 84c	28s 50c	9s 66c	51%	33	3g 22s 80c	1 × Blindweed, 1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Goldthorn
Oil of Immolation Alchemy 180 ~2 sold/day · shelf clears in about 25 days · 20s 22c/day	38s 89c	47s 97c	9s 8c	23%	2	20s 22c	1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Firebloom, 1 × Goldthorn
Elixir of Fortitude Alchemy 115 none sold · 0c/day	28s 19c	36s 9c	7s 90c	28%	0	0c	4 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Giant Growth Alchemy 80 ~34 sold/day · shelf clears in about 12 days · 2g 56s 36c/day	5s 32c	12s 83c	7s 51c	141%	34	2g 56s 36c	1 × Deviate Fish, 1 × Earthroot, 1 × Empty Vial
Free Action Potion Alchemy 135 ~420 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 30g 53s/day	13s 60c	20s 88c	7s 28c	54%	420	30g 53s	2 × Blackmouth Oil, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Stranglekelp
Shadow Oil Alchemy 150 · makes 2 ~60 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 2g 16s 50c/day	42s 3c	49s 23c	7s 20c	17%	60	2g 16s 50c	4 × Fadeleaf, 4 × Grave Moss, 1 × Leaded Vial
Rage Potion Alchemy 50 ~300 sold/day · shelf clears in about 3 days · 19g 46s/day	2s 98c	9s 50c	6s 52c	219%	300	19g 46s	1 × Briarthorn, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Sharp Claw
Elixir of Greater Agility Alchemy 215 ~8 sold/day · shelf clears in about 3 days · 51s 95c/day	64s 89c	71s 25c	6s 36c	10%	8	51s 95c	1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Sungrass
Elixir of Lesser Spirit Alchemy 30 ~10 sold/day · shelf clears in about 5 days · 49s 25c/day	8s 54c	13s 29c	4s 75c	56%	10	49s 25c	2 × Wild Steelbloom, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Mageroyal
Swiftness Potion Alchemy 60 ~550 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 25g 40s/day	8s 69c	13s 28c	4s 59c	53%	550	25g 40s	1 × Briarthorn, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Swiftthistle
Greater Discolored Healing Potion Alchemy 135 ~100 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · 4g 16s 3c/day	2s 2c	6s 18c	4s 16c	206%	100	4g 16s 3c	1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Murloc Eye
Lesser Cleric's Elixir Alchemy 60 ~35 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 1g 43s 11c/day	7s 29c	11s 39c	4s 10c	56%	35	1g 43s 11c	2 × Kingsblood, 2 × Liferoot, 1 × Leaded Vial
Fermenter Alchemy 100 ~76 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · 2g 70s 14c/day	8s 66c	12s 23c	3s 57c	41%	76	2g 70s 14c	1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Swiftthistle
Shadow Protection Potion Alchemy 120 ~27 sold/day · shelf clears in about 6 days · 70s 73c/day	3s 51c	6s 16c	2s 65c	75%	27	70s 73c	1 × Grave Moss, 1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Lesser Intellect Alchemy 60 ~6 sold/day · shelf clears in about 33 days · 11s 99c/day	4s 32c	6s 44c	2s 12c	49%	6	11s 99c	3 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial
Lesser Arcane Elixir Alchemy 85 ~27 sold/day · shelf clears in about 13 days · 55s 80c/day	5s 55c	7s 58c	2s 3c	37%	27	55s 80c	4 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial
Gold Bar Alchemy 200 ~540 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 10g 54s/day	5s 33c	7s 28c	1s 95c	37%	540	10g 54s	1 × Iron Bar
Lesser Mageblood Elixir Alchemy 40 ~58 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · 1g 11s 65c/day	3s 79c	5s 70c	1s 91c	50%	58	1g 11s 65c	3 × Kingsblood, 1 × Empty Vial
Elixir of Minor Strength Alchemy 15 ~1,100 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 18g 48s/day	80c	2s 54c	1s 74c	217%	1,100	18g 48s	1 × Earthroot, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Silverleaf
Truesilver Bar Alchemy 200 ~74 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 1g 28s 65c/day	11s 96c	13s 69c	1s 73c	14%	74	1g 28s 65c	1 × Mithril Bar
Spellblasting Potion Alchemy 100 ~17 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · 24s 35c/day	5s 69c	7s 12c	1s 43c	25%	17	24s 35c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Grave Moss, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Elixir of Minor Agility Alchemy 40 ~610 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 7g 94s 99c/day	7s 15c	8s 46c	1s 31c	18%	610	7g 94s 99c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Silverleaf, 1 × Swiftthistle
Blackmouth Oil Alchemy 40 ~1,000 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 10g 16s/day	2s 98c	3s 99c	1s 1c	34%	1,000	10g 16s	2 × Oily Blackmouth, 1 × Empty Vial
Minor Cleric's Elixir Alchemy 10 ~30 sold/day · shelf clears in about 9 days · 27s 45c/day	2s 37c	3s 28c	91c	38%	30	27s 45c	2 × Mageroyal, 1 × Bruiseweed, 1 × Empty Vial
Troll's Blood Elixir Alchemy 160 ~170 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · 1g 48s 18c/day	3s 88c	4s 76c	88c	23%	170	1g 48s 18c	1 × Bruiseweed, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Liferoot
Minor Mageblood Elixir Alchemy ~190 sold/day · shelf clears in about 4 days · 1g 41s 79c/day	1s 22c	1s 99c	77c	63%	190	1g 41s 79c	2 × Mageroyal, 1 × Empty Vial
Elixir of Minor Force Alchemy ~520 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 3g 12s 77c/day	35c	95c	60c	171%	520	3g 12s 77c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Silverleaf
Elixir of Lesser Defense Alchemy 115 ~550 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · 3g 26s 51c/day	9s 14c	9s 74c	60c	7%	550	3g 26s 51c	1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Stranglekelp, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Elixir of Ogre Strength Alchemy 135 ~180 sold/day · shelf clears in about 3 days · 94s 72c/day	2s 31c	2s 84c	53c	23%	180	94s 72c	1 × Earthroot, 1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Defense Alchemy 175 ~10 sold/day · shelf clears in about 16 days · 3s 55c/day	11s 46c	11s 83c	37c	3%	10	3s 55c	1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Fire Oil Alchemy 110 · makes 2 ~650 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · 90s 86c/day	1s 60c	1s 88c	28c	18%	650	90s 86c	2 × Firefin Snapper, 1 × Empty Vial
Minor Arcane Elixir Alchemy ~930 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 2g 23s 5c/day	70c	94c	24c	34%	930	2g 23s 5c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom
Minor Frenzy Potion Alchemy 5 ~74 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 8s 32c/day	80c	91c	11c	14%	74	8s 32c	1 × Earthroot, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Silverleaf
Elixir of Minor Spirit Alchemy ~82 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · 6s 68c/day	1s 60c	1s 68c	8c	5%	82	6s 68c	2 × Earthroot, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom
Minor Discolored Healing Potion Alchemy 15 ~38 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · 3s 3c/day	86c	94c	8c	9%	38	3s 3c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Murloc Eye, 1 × Peacebloom
Elixir of Lesser Agility Alchemy 125 ~130 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · 1s 47c/day	11s 37c	11s 38c	1c	0%	130	1s 47c	1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Swiftthistle, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Elixir of Minor Fortitude Alchemy 50 ~870 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -1g 52s 66c/day	1s 60c	1s 43c	-17c	-11%	870	-1g 52s 66c	2 × Earthroot, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom
Lesser Spellblasting Potion Alchemy 50 ~29 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · -6s 56c/day	1s 16c	93c	-23c	-20%	29	-6s 56c	2 × Silverleaf, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Mageroyal
Mana Well Alchemy ~180 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -58s 44c/day	70c	38c	-32c	-46%	180	-58s 44c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom
Minor Spellblasting Potion Alchemy ~110 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · -42s 40c/day	95c	57c	-38c	-40%	110	-42s 40c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom, 1 × Silverleaf
Elixir of Minor Defense Alchemy 15 ~740 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -3g 52s 51c/day	95c	48c	-47c	-50%	740	-3g 52s 51c	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom, 1 × Silverleaf
Minor Mender's Potion Alchemy ~7 sold/day · shelf clears in about 5 days · -3s 15c/day	2s 37c	1s 89c	-48c	-20%	7	-3s 15c	2 × Mageroyal, 1 × Bruiseweed, 1 × Empty Vial
Nature Protection Potion Alchemy 170 ~33 sold/day · shelf clears in about 4 days · -21s 72c/day	7s 30c	6s 65c	-65c	-9%	33	-21s 72c	1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Liferoot, 1 × Stranglekelp
Minor Mana Potion Alchemy 25 ~1,600 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -12g 90s/day	1s 26c	45c	-81c	-65%	1,600	-12g 90s	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Mageroyal, 1 × Peacebloom
Lesser Discolored Healing Potion Alchemy 45 ~100 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -85s 23c/day	2s 5c	1s 23c	-82c	-40%	100	-85s 23c	1 × Briarthorn, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Murloc Eye
Lesser Invisibility Potion Alchemy 145 ~16 sold/day · shelf clears in about 8 days · -14s 20c/day	13s 27c	12s 36c	-91c	-7%	16	-14s 20c	1 × Fadeleaf, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Catseye Draught Alchemy 180 none sold · 0c/day	16s 22c	15s 6c	-1s 16c	-7%	0	0c	1 × Fadeleaf, 1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial
Minor Troll's Blood Elixir Alchemy 20 ~260 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · -3g 23s 97c/day	1s 60c	37c	-1s 23c	-77%	260	-3g 23s 97c	2 × Earthroot, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom
Elixir of Agility Alchemy 165 ~22 sold/day · shelf clears in about 6 days · -28s 7c/day	12s 9c	10s 83c	-1s 26c	-10%	22	-28s 7c	1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Stranglekelp
Minor Rejuvenation Potion Alchemy 40 ~790 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -11g 64s/day	1s 82c	34c	-1s 48c	-81%	790	-11g 64s	2 × Mageroyal, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Peacebloom
Sulfuric Acid Alchemy 10 ~550 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -8g 52s 50c/day	9s 8c	7s 52c	-1s 56c	-17%	550	-8g 52s 50c	2 × Pyrite, 1 × Empty Vial
Magenta Dye Alchemy 90 none sold · 0c/day	26s 61c	24s 66c	-1s 95c	-7%	0	0c	2 × Rosecap, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Lesser Fortitude Alchemy 155 ~4 sold/day · shelf clears in about 43 days · -7s 74c/day	11s 46c	9s 38c	-2s 8c	-18%	4	-7s 74c	1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Cerulean Dye Alchemy 10 ~520 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -13g 17s/day	55s 30c	52s 77c	-2s 53c	-5%	520	-13g 17s	2 × Frilled Lichen, 1 × Empty Vial
Mana Potion Alchemy 140 ~450 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · -11g 95s/day	6s 43c	3s 80c	-2s 63c	-41%	450	-11g 95s	1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Stranglekelp
Elixir of Wisdom Alchemy 80 ~820 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -24g 73s/day	4s 24c	1s 23c	-3s 1c	-71%	820	-24g 73s	2 × Briarthorn, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Mageroyal
Greater Mana Potion Alchemy 180 ~110 sold/day · shelf clears in about 2 days · -3g 79s 45c/day	13s 85c	10s 44c	-3s 41c	-25%	110	-3g 79s 45c	1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Khadgar's Whisker, 1 × Leaded Vial
Elixir of Fire Power Alchemy 125 none sold · 0c/day	3s 84c	37c	-3s 47c	-90%	0	0c	2 × Fire Oil, 1 × Kingsblood, 1 × Leaded Vial
Minor Magic Resistance Potion Alchemy 95 ~85 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · -3g 62s 72c/day	5s 72c	1s 47c	-4s 25c	-74%	85	-3g 62s 72c	3 × Mageroyal, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Wild Steelbloom
Lesser Mana Potion Alchemy 105 ~1,800 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -80g 71s/day	5s 23c	70c	-4s 53c	-87%	1,800	-80g 71s	1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Mageroyal, 1 × Stranglekelp
Lesser Troll's Blood Elixir Alchemy 110 ~290 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -15g 89s/day	6s 51c	1s 4c	-5s 47c	-84%	290	-15g 89s	2 × Briarthorn, 2 × Bruiseweed, 1 × Leaded Vial
Holy Protection Potion Alchemy 90 ~10 sold/day · shelf clears in about 48 days · -76s 54c/day	8s 5c	59c	-7s 46c	-93%	10	-76s 54c	1 × Bruiseweed, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Swiftthistle
Lesser Stoneshield Potion Alchemy 190 <1 sold/day · shelf clears in over two months · -5s 96c/day	17s 52c	9s 49c	-8s 3c	-46%	<1	-5s 96c	1 × Goldthorn, 1 × Leaded Vial, 1 × Mithril Ore
Frenzy Potion Alchemy 105 none sold · 0c/day	21s 61c	13s 22c	-8s 39c	-39%	0	0c	2 × Briarthorn, 2 × Fadeleaf, 1 × Leaded Vial
Draught of Detect Lesser Invisibility Alchemy 175 <1 sold/day · shelf clears in over two months · -20c/day	15s 66c	6s 97c	-8s 69c	-55%	<1	-20c	1 × Fadeleaf, 1 × Khadgar's Whisker, 1 × Leaded Vial
Draught of Water Breathing Alchemy 80 ~230 sold/day · shelf clears in about a day · -21g 56s/day	13s 7c	3s 71c	-9s 36c	-72%	230	-21g 56s	2 × Blackmouth Oil, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Stranglekelp
Swim Speed Potion Alchemy 90 ~450 sold/day · shelf clears in under a day · -43g 96s/day	11s 10c	1s 33c	-9s 77c	-88%	450	-43g 96s	1 × Blackmouth Oil, 1 × Empty Vial, 1 × Swiftthistle
Greater Mender's Potion Alchemy 145 ~11 sold/day · shelf clears in about 21 days · -11g 17s/day	1g 7s	6s 64c	-1g 36c	-94%	11	-11g 17s	2 × Arthas' Tears, 1 × Crystal Vial, 1 × Purple Lotus
Potion of Beast Slaying Alchemy 245 none sold · 0c/day	11g 91s	9g 50s 94c	-2g 41s 4c	-20%	0	0c	2 × Gromsblood, 2 × Plaguebloom, 1 × Imbued Vial

Download as CSV · Deposits and the value of your own gathered materials are not in these numbers.

Common questions

What is the most profitable craft in WoW Forever right now?: On PvP Alliance EU right now, Ghost Dye (Alchemy) makes the most per craft: about 8g 13s after the 5 percent auction house cut. Counting how fast the result sells, Frost Protection Potion (Alchemy) makes the most a day, about 48g 8s from roughly 13 sold a day. 56 of 89 fully priced recipes make a profit.
How is crafting profit calculated?: Each reagent is priced at its median on the market, and the result at its median times the recipe's average yield, less the 5 percent auction house cut. A reagent with no price is named rather than counted as free. Deposits and the value of materials you gather yourself are not in the numbers.
Why is the biggest margin not always the best craft?: A margin pays only as fast as the result sells. Profit a day is the margin times the estimated units sold a day on that auction house, so a thin margin on something that sells three hundred a day beats a fat one on something that sells three. Rank by Profit a day to see that order.