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, as interest is earned on both the original amount and the interest that has been added to it.
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 a specified period.
Details: Understanding compound interest is crucial for financial planning, investment decisions, and retirement savings. It demonstrates how money can grow over time and helps in comparing different investment options.
Tips: Enter the principal amount, annual interest rate, compounding frequency (how many times per year interest is compounded), and time 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 (monthly vs. annually) results in higher returns due to interest being calculated and added more often.
Q3: What are typical compounding frequencies?
A: Common frequencies include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).
Q4: Can this calculator handle fractional years?
A: Yes, you can enter decimal values for time (e.g., 2.5 years for 2 years and 6 months).
Q5: Is compound interest always beneficial?
A: While beneficial for savings and investments, compound interest works against you when dealing with debt, as interest accumulates on outstanding balances.