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 allows your investment to grow at an accelerating rate over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your investment will grow over time with compound interest, accounting for how frequently interest is compounded.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It demonstrates the power of time and consistent investing in wealth accumulation.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in GBP, annual interest rate as a percentage, number of compounding periods per year, and time period 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 often should interest be compounded for maximum growth?
A: The more frequently interest is compounded, the faster your money grows. Daily compounding yields the highest returns, followed by monthly, quarterly, and annually.
Q3: Can this calculator be used for loans as well as investments?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to both investments (where you earn interest) and loans (where you pay interest).
Q4: Does this calculator account for taxes or fees?
A: No, this calculator provides a basic compound interest calculation without considering taxes, fees, or inflation.
Q5: What's the rule of 72 in compound interest?
A: The rule of 72 estimates how long it takes for an investment to double: divide 72 by the annual interest rate. For example, at 6% interest, it takes about 12 years to double your money.