Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It allows investments to grow at an accelerating rate 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 earned on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Details: Compound interest is fundamental to long-term investing and retirement planning. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time due to the compounding effect.
Tips: Enter the principal amount, annual interest rate (as a percentage), compounding frequency, and investment period. 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 (e.g., monthly vs. annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added more often.
Q3: What is the Rule of 72?
A: A quick way to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double: 72 divided by the annual interest rate gives the approximate number of years.
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 this calculator accurate for all investments?
A: This calculator provides estimates for fixed-rate investments. Variable-rate investments or those with fees may have different results.