Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods of a deposit or loan. It's often called "interest on interest" and makes a sum grow at a faster rate than simple interest.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates how much your investment will grow over time with compound interest, taking into account how frequently the interest is compounded.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful financial concept that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. It's the foundation of long-term wealth building and retirement planning.
Tips: Enter the principal amount, annual interest rate (as a percentage), select compounding frequency, and time in years. All values must be positive numbers.
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 does compounding frequency affect returns?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more often.
Q3: What is Moneychimp's method?
A: This calculator uses the standard compound interest formula as implemented by Moneychimp, a popular financial calculator website.
Q4: Can I use this for loans as well as investments?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to both savings/investments (where you earn interest) and loans (where you pay interest).
Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: This calculator provides accurate results based on the standard compound interest formula, assuming constant interest rates and regular compounding periods.