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 allows investments to grow exponentially over time, making it a powerful tool for wealth accumulation.
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 over time.
Details: Compound interest is fundamental to long-term investing and savings strategies. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time due to the compounding effect.
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 due to interest being calculated on interest more often.
Q3: What is a typical compounding frequency?
A: Common frequencies include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Can I use this for different currencies?
A: Yes, the calculator works with any currency as long as you're consistent with the principal amount input.
Q5: How accurate is this calculator for real investments?
A: This provides a mathematical estimate. Actual investment returns may vary due to fees, taxes, and market fluctuations.