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. It's a powerful concept in finance where your money grows at an accelerating rate over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your investment will grow based on the principal amount, interest rate, compounding frequency, and time period.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It helps investors see how their money can grow exponentially over time.
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 (daily vs annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more frequently.
Q3: Is this calculator suitable for mortgage calculations?
A: Yes, this calculator can be used for mortgage calculations where interest compounds over the loan period.
Q4: Can I use this for retirement planning?
A: Absolutely. Compound interest calculations are fundamental for retirement savings and investment growth projections.
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: 72 divided by the annual interest rate gives approximate years to double.