Compound Interest Formula:
From: | To: |
Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It allows your investment to grow at an accelerating rate over time, making it a powerful tool for wealth accumulation.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula for daily compounding:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your investment will grow when interest is compounded daily over a specific number of days.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time through the power of compounding.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, and the number of days for compounding. All values must be valid (principal > 0, rate ≥ 0, days > 0).
Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Q2: How often is interest compounded in this calculation?
A: This calculator assumes daily compounding, which means interest is calculated and added to the principal every day.
Q3: Why is compound interest considered powerful?
A: Compound interest allows your money to grow exponentially over time, as you earn interest on both your original investment and the interest that accumulates.
Q4: Can I use this for different compounding frequencies?
A: This calculator is specifically designed for daily compounding. For other frequencies (monthly, quarterly, annually), different formulas would be needed.
Q5: Are there any limitations to this calculation?
A: This calculation assumes a fixed interest rate throughout the investment period and doesn't account for taxes, fees, or additional contributions/withdrawals.