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 interest earns interest, leading to exponential growth over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your initial principal will grow when interest is compounded at regular intervals over a specified time period.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and loan management. It helps borrowers understand the true cost of borrowing and helps investors project future returns.
Tips: Enter principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), compounding frequency (how many times per year interest is compounded), 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 does compounding frequency affect the result?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs. annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more often.
Q3: What are common compounding frequencies?
A: Common frequencies include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Can this calculator be used for investments?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to both loans and investments, though the context differs (cost vs. return).
Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides accurate mathematical results based on the inputs, but real-world results may vary slightly due to rounding practices and specific financial institution policies.