The Basic EPS or Earnings Per Share refers to the number of earnings on each share, and it is usually calculated based on the number of shares issued for a particular period of time. The Basic Earnings can be calculated by subtracting preference dividends from the net income and divide everything by the number of shares issued.
Diluted EPS or Earnings per Share, on the other hand, shows what can be earned by a business as its earnings per share if all the convertibles, stock options, warrants are considered together with all the shares issued for a particular period of time.
One of the major differences between the basic EPS and diluted EPS is that the former does not take securities such as convertibles, warrants into account. Another way to differentiate the two is to compare the value of the two. In this area, the value of the diluted EPS will always be less than the value of the basic EPS.