Compound Interest Formula:
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The compound interest formula calculates the future value of an investment or loan based on the principal amount, interest rate, compounding frequency, and time period. It shows how money grows over time through the power of compounding.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your initial investment will grow based on how often interest is compounded and added to your principal.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time.
Tips: Enter 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 the result?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added more often.
Q3: Is this calculator for gross or net interest?
A: This calculates gross interest before taxes and fees. Actual returns may be lower after accounting for taxes and account fees.
Q4: Can I use this for loans as well as savings?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to both savings growth and loan interest calculations.
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 interest rate percentage).