Compound Interest Formula:
From: | To: |
Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It's often referred to as "interest on interest" and can significantly boost investment growth over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful financial concept that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. The more frequently interest is compounded, the faster your money grows, making it a crucial factor in long-term wealth building.
Tips: Enter the 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 added), 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 returns?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs. annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated on a growing balance more often.
Q3: What's a typical compounding frequency?
A: Common frequencies include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Can this calculator be used for debt as well?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to compound interest on loans and credit cards, showing how debt can grow over time.
Q5: How accurate is this calculator for real investments?
A: This provides a mathematical estimate. Actual investment returns may vary due to market fluctuations, fees, and taxes.