Compound Interest Calculator

Compound Interest Formula:

\[ A = P \times (1 + \frac{R}{n})^{(n \times T)} \]

Principal Amount (P):

Annual Interest Rate (R):

Compounding Frequency (n):

Time Period (T):

years

Final Amount (A):

Total Interest Earned:

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1. What is Compound Interest?

Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It allows your investment to grow at an accelerating rate over time, making it a powerful tool for wealth accumulation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the compound interest formula:

\[ A = P \times (1 + \frac{R}{n})^{(n \times T)} \]

Where:

\( A \) — Final amount including principal and interest
\( P \) — Principal investment amount
\( R \) — Annual interest rate (in decimal form)
\( n \) — Number of times interest is compounded per year
\( T \) — Time the money is invested for in years

Explanation: The formula calculates how much your investment will grow when interest is earned on both the principal and accumulated interest.

3. Importance of Compound Interest

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.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, select compounding frequency, and time period in years. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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 and added to the principal more often.

Q3: What is the Rule of 72?
A: A quick way to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double: divide 72 by the annual interest rate.

Q4: Can compound interest work against me?
A: Yes, when borrowing money, compound interest can cause debt to grow rapidly if not managed properly.

Q5: Is compound interest taxable?
A: Yes, interest earned is generally taxable income in the year it is credited to your account.