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 of a deposit or loan. It allows your investment to grow at an accelerating rate over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much your initial investment will grow over time with compound interest, taking into account how frequently the interest is compounded.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful financial concept that can significantly grow your investments over time. It's essential for retirement planning, savings goals, and understanding the true cost of loans.
Tips: Enter the principal amount, annual interest rate, 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 the result?
A: More frequent compounding (daily vs. annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added 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 this calculator be used for loans?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to both investments and loans, though for loans it shows how much you'll owe over time.
Q5: What is the "rule of 72" in compound interest?
A: The rule of 72 estimates how long it takes for an investment to double: divide 72 by the annual interest rate.