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 savings to grow at an accelerating rate over time, making it a powerful tool for long-term wealth accumulation.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your investment will grow when interest is compounded at regular intervals over time.
Details: Compound interest is fundamental to long-term financial planning, retirement savings, and investment growth. It demonstrates how small, regular investments can grow significantly over time through the power of compounding.
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.
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 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.