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 referred to as "interest on interest" and makes a sum grow at a faster rate than simple interest.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful concept in finance that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. It's essential for retirement planning, savings growth, and understanding long-term investment returns.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, 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 (e.g., monthly vs. annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more often.
Q3: What is the Rule of 72?
A: The Rule of 72 is a quick formula to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double: 72 divided by the annual interest rate.
Q4: Can compound interest work against me?
A: Yes, when borrowing money, compound interest can significantly increase the total amount you owe over time.
Q5: Is compound interest taxed?
A: In most jurisdictions, interest earned through compound interest is considered taxable income in the year it's earned.